PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
(2014-15)
Programme Title
Engineering and Applied Science Foundation Programme
UCAS/JACS Code
H100
School/Subject Area
School of Engineering and Applied Science
Final Award
Entry to the School of Engineering and Applied Science undergraduate degree
programmes
Foundation Diploma (normally awarded to students who pass the Foundation
Programme and do not enter undergraduate degree programmes at Aston University)
n/a
Full-time
Interim Award(s)
Mode(s) of Study
Normal Length of
Programme
Total Credits
One year
Programme Accredited By
n/a
Dates Programme
Specification Written and
Revised
Revised September 2014
Educational Aims of the
Programme
120
General
 To prepare students, who do not have the required entry qualifications, for
admission to a first degree
programme in Engineering or Applied Science offered by the School of Engineering
and Applied Science
Specific

To provide the necessary fundamental skills and knowledge for progression into the
first year of an engineering or applied science degree programme.

To develop the concept of what it means to be an Engineer or an Applied Scientist
in a modern society.
To develop the essential study skills to be successful on an Engineering or Applied Science
degree programme.
Relevant Subject
Benchmark Statements
and other current External
and Internal Strategies,
Policies or Research used
to inform programme
outcomes

Framework for Higher Educational Qualifications (FHEQ)
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STAGE 0
Programme Structures and Requirements: Levels, Modules and Credits
Module Title
Credits
Level
Module Code
Core/Option
Condoneable
Y/N
Prerequisite(s)
Y/N
Mathematics 1
20
3
SE0EM1
Core
Yes
No
Mathematics 2
20
3
SE0EM2
Core
Yes
No
Professional Skills
20
3
SE0PSK
Core
Yes
No
Physical Science and Engineering
Foundations
20
3
SE0PSF
Core
Yes
No
Introduction to Engineering
20
3
SE0IE
Core
Yes
No
Choose 20 credits from the following options:
Electronic Engineering Foundations
20
3
SE0EEF
Option
Yes
No
Mechanical Engineering Foundations
20
3
SE0MEF
Option
Yes
No
Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Foundations
20
3
SE0CEF
Option
Yes
No
Computing Foundations
20
3
SE0010
Option
Yes
No
Biological Science Foundations
20
3
SE0BY3
Option
Yes
No
TOTAL
120
Programme Outcomes, Learning and Teaching and Assessment Strategies
A. Knowledge and Understanding
On successful completion
of their programme,
students are expected to
have knowledge and
understanding of:
1
Fundamental engineering
and applied science
mathematics.
2
The fundamental
knowledge and skills
required for their chosen
engineering or applied
science discipline.
3
Laboratory techniques
applicable to their chosen
discipline.
4
The importance of Health
and Safety within
engineering and applied
science.
Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategies to enable outcomes to be
achieved and demonstrated
Learning and Teaching Methods
Assessment Methods
A mixture of formal lectures,
example classes, tutorials,
practical laboratory work,
presentations, self-study.
Unseen formal examinations, class tests
and portfolio.
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B.
Intellectual Skills
On successful completion
of their programme,
students are expected to be
able to:
1
Analyse and resolve given
problems in engineering
and applied science.
2
Collect, evaluate and
analyse data from a variety
of sources.
3
Reflect on their learning
needs within the context of
lifelong learning.
Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategies to enable outcomes to be
achieved and demonstrated
Learning and Teaching Methods
Assessment Methods
Intellectual skills are developed
through formal lectures,
example classes, tutorials,
practical laboratory classes,
seminars, self-study
Portfolio.
C. Professional Skills
On successful completion
of their programme,
students are expected to be
able to:
1
Plan and execute safely a
series of given practical
tasks.
2
Prepare technical reports
and presentations to an
agreed standard.
3
Demonstrate competency
in the use of appropriate
software packages.
Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategies to enable outcomes to be
achieved and demonstrated
Learning and Teaching Methods
Assessment Methods
Formal lectures, example classes,
tutorials, practical laboratory
classes
Portfolio and presentations.
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D. Transferable Skills
On successful completion
of their programme,
students are expected to
show:
1
The ability to communicate
effectively using
appropriate media.
2
The ability to resolve given
problems.
3
The ability to be an
effective team member.
How they manage their
learning.
4
Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategies to enable outcomes to be
achieved and demonstrated
Learning and Teaching Methods
Assessment Methods
Skills are developed through
formal lectures, example classes,
practical work, tutorials, seminars
and self-study
Portfolio.
1
In addition to satisfying the entry requirements as stated within the General
Regulations for Undergraduate Programmes, the applicant must obtain advanced
qualifications and at an appropriate standard as approved by the School’s
Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programmes and School Board.
2
Applications who do not satisfy the above requirements will be considered on
merit and must provide evidence of other qualifications or appropriate experience
judged to be of equivalent standard by the School’s Associate Dean of
Undergraduate Programmes.
Entry Requirements
ATTENDANCE
Programme Regulations
1
The degree programme provides a variety of learning opportunities; including
tutorials, seminars, practical classes and lectures. It is the responsibility of the
student to attend and actively participate.
2
Attendance is monitored.
In the case of repeated unexcused absence over a period of two weeks or more,
disciplinary proceedings may be instituted in the form of an official warning letter
requiring attendance. If there is no response to this letter or satisfactory attendance is
not resumed, the Executive Dean of the School may require the student to withdraw
from the programme.
General Regulations (http://www1.aston.ac.uk/registry/for-staff/regsandpolicies/general-regulations/) and the
Regulations for the programme (above) take precedence over other information sources such as student handbooks if
there is a conflict. If there is a conflict between General Regulations and Programme Regulations then General
Regulations take precedence unless an exemption has been approved.
This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the threshold learning
outcomes that a student might normally be expected to achieve and demonstrate if they take full advantage of the
learning opportunities that are provided. The individual modules included in the programme may differ from those
listed in this programme specification as our programmes are continuously reviewed. Information on admissions
requirements and career opportunities is available in the relevant prospectus. More detailed information on the
learning outcomes, content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each module can be found in the
appropriate module specifications and programme handbook(s) which are available to students on enrolment.
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