Date of Course Approval:
Approved to operate from:
Amend as part of Interim Review – 28th April 2010
UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL LANCASHIRE
Programme Specification
This Programme Specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme
and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and
demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
Sources of information on the programme can be found in Section 17
1. Awarding Institution / Body
University of Central Lancashire
2. Teaching Institutions
GEN II Engineering & Technology Training Ltd
3. University Department/Centre
John Tyndall Institute, School of Engineering
4. External Accreditation
None currently
5. Title of Final Award
FdSc Nuclear Related Technology (Instrumentation &
Control)
6. Modes of Attendance offered
Part-time (GEN II Engineering & Technology Training)
7. UCAS Code
8. Relevant Subject Benchmarking
Group(s)
Foundation Degree qualification benchmark
9. Other external influences
Sellafield Sites Ltd, COGENT, NSAN
10. Date of production/revision of this
form
March 2008
11. Aims of the Programme
To allow students an opportunity to assimilate a coherent body of knowledge appropriate to
instrumentation and control within the nuclear industry
To provide students with an experience of higher education that reflects the requirements for
innovation and inter-related activities in a changing nuclear industry
To encourage development of reasoning powers and stimulate analytical thinking
To inculcate work-related and transferable skills
To provide opportunity for the development and expression of creative and innovative thought
in the area of instrumentation and control
To provide graduates with a foundation of technical knowledge and skill that enables them to
practice as an individual or as a member of a team in the disciplines of instrumentation and
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control within the context of nuclear technology and to interact with a wider audience
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12. Learning Outcomes, Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
A. Knowledge and Understanding
A1. Analyse technical and scientific problems and develop and create suitable solutions.
A2. Demonstrate competence and apply fundamental knowledge to work related situations.
A3. Demonstrate skills and abilities in communicating and presenting nuclear related technical ideas
and solutions to problems and designs
A4. Indicate knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of an instrumentation and control technologist
within the context of nuclear technology
A5. Demonstrate knowledge of fundamental science, engineering systems and mathematical analysis
appropriate to instrumentation and control
Teaching and Learning Methods
Lectures, seminars, tutorials and discussion of work experience and associated portfolio
Assessment methods
Assignment and design reports, formal examinations and time-controlled tests
B. Subject-specific skills
B1. Apply management, organisational and project skills within a nuclear technology environment
B2. Demonstrate a knowledge of the interactive nature of disciplines within instrumentation and
control
B3. Indicate knowledge and understanding of current nuclear technology practice in instrumentation
and control
Teaching and Learning Methods
Lectures, tutorials, seminars and discussion of workshop assignment and project work
Assessment methods
Assignment and design reports, formal examinations and time-controlled tests
C. Thinking Skills
C1. Demonstrate reasoning skills within the context of nuclear related technology in order to identify
suitable methods and solutions
C2. Demonstrate the ability to solve technical and managerial problems in a nuclear setting using
instrumentation and control technology
Teaching and Learning Methods
Lectures, seminars and discussion of project work
Assessment methods
Assignment and design reports, project report, formal examinations and time-controlled tests
D. Other skills relevant to employability and personal development
D1. Demonstrate communication skills in a variety of work related situations
D2. Use information resources and technology to effectively manage and present information
Teaching and Learning Methods
Project work discussion, seminars and guided experience and discussion of that experience
Assessment methods
Assignments, examinations, portfolios, design reports, project report and formal presentations
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13. Programme Structure - FdSc Nuclear Related Technology
(Instrumentation & Control)
Level
Level 5
Module
Code
SC2001
SC2008
SC2002
SC2003
SC2007
SC2009
SC2010
SC2013
Module Title
Mathematics (B)
Work place Module B
Project Management
Project
Condition Monitoring & Fault
Evaluation
Computer Based Control
Process & Servo Control Systems
Electrical & Electronic Systems
Credit
rating
10
10
10
20
10
20
20
20
14. Awards and Credits*
Foundation Degree in
Nuclear Related
Technology
(Instrumentation &
Control)
Requires 240 credits at level
4 or above with a minimum
of 120 credits at level 5 or
above.
Award of merit will be made
with an APM 60-69.99%,
Award of Distinction will be
made with an APM of 70%100%
Level 4
SC1000
Fundamental Engineering
Mathematics
SC1001
Mathematics (A)
SC1002
Fundamental Nuclear Science
SC1004
Principles of Instrumentation
SC1007
Introduction to Control Systems
SC1009
Fundamentals of Software Design
& Development
SC1010(o) Analytical Instrumentation
SC1011(o) Networks for Instrumentation &
Control
SC1023
Electrical Science
SC1024
Mechanical & Process Science
15. Personal Development Planning
10
10
10
20
10
10
Exit award: a Foundation
Certificate in Nuclear
Related Technology
requires 120 credits at level
4 or above
10
10
20
20
Students will be expected to keep track of their personal development through compilation of a
Personal Development Portfolio / Progress File. Students will meet with their Personal Tutors (at least
4 per academic year) in order to identify their development needs. The File will act as a repository of
any documentary evidence of student development/progress (e.g. grade transcripts) and documented
reflections/conclusions as to their own perception of their academic, personal and professional
development and goals and action plans required to further that development. Opportunities for
reflective learning occur throughout the course, in particular in modules assessed by portfolio. The
workplace modules enable students to develop generic and key transferable skills by engaging in
work or simulated work practice, discussing and reflecting upon the experience and using a range of
tools to report effectively on the experience within their portfolio. The nature and relations between
the instrumentation and control professions is examined along with a level of engineering and
analysis associated with particular roles; and hence the student’s current and possible future role and
means to achieve competence for that role.
16. Admissions criteria
Programme Specifications include minimum entry requirements, including academic
qualifications, together with appropriate experience and skills required for entry to study.
These criteria may be expressed as a range rather than a specific grade. Amendments to
entry requirements may have been made after these documents were published and you
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should consult the University’s website for the most up to date information.
Students will be informed of their personal minimum entry criteria in their offer letter.
All students will be interviewed to assess their suitability for the course. Achievement following 2
years post-16 study will demonstrate the capacity to benefit from the course. Thus the equivalent of 2
‘A2’ Levels at Grade ‘E’ (80 UCAS points) in a science, maths or technology related subject is
expected, plus 5 GCSE’s (including both mathematics and English at Grade ‘C’ or above). An
example of equivalence is a BTEC NC in a technical or numerate discipline. Mature students may
offer a combination of lower level academic qualifications (e.g. traditional CSE, City & Guilds L1,
NVQ, vocational training courses) and experience in lieu of the standard entry requirements subject to
satisfactory interview. Students holding/completing a relevant Higher Certificate or HNC may be
offered advanced entry/transfer to the course subject to satisfactory interview. All mature students
holding/completing a relevant University Certificate can access/transfer to this FdSc subject to
satisfactory interview. NOTE: The requirements of “Classified Worker” status within the Nuclear
Industry (those employees who may work within facilities that directly handle radioactive materials)
may restrict students with certain disabilities from pursuing certain career paths. For similar reasons,
such students may also be unable to participate fully in any visits to Nuclear Licensed Sites that the
course may entail. If prospective students have any queries in this regard, they should contact the
local Course Coordinator at GEN II Engineering & Technology Training or Carlisle College for advice
17. Key sources of information about the programme



University website: guidance on Foundation Degrees
Institutional Document and Course Handbook
Factsheet
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e.g. LEVEL 5
Module
Level Code
SC2001
SC2002
SC2003
Core (C) or
Compulsory
modules
Module Title
Mathematics B
Project Management
Project
Condition Monitoring & Fault
SC2007 Evaluation
SC2008 Workplace Module B
Computer Based Control
SC2009
Process & Servo Control
SC2010 Systems
Electrical & Electronic
SC2013 Systems
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Compulsory
Compulsory
Core
Knowledge and
understanding
Subject Specific
A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 B1 B2 B3
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Compulsory
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Compulsory
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Compulsory
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Thinking Skills
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Other skills relevant
to employability and
personal development
D1
D2
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Approved to operate from:
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e.g. LEVEL 4
Fundamental Engineering
Mathematics
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Compulsory
Mathematics A
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Compulsory
Compulsory
Fundamental Nuclear Science
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Compulsory
Electrical Science
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Compulsory
Principles of Instrumentation
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Mechanical & Process Science Core
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Compulsory
Introduction to Control
SC1007 Systems
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Fundamentals of Software
SC1009 Design
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SC1010 Analytical Instrumentation
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Networks for Instrumentation &
SC1011 Control
Option
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Note: Mapping to other external frameworks, e.g. professional/statutory bodies, will be included within Student Course Handbooks
SC1000
SC1001
SC1002
SC1023
SC1004
SC1024
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