LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY
Programme Specification
Engineering Design and Manufacture
Please note: This 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 full advantage is taken of the learning
opportunities that are provided. More detailed information on the learning outcomes,
content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each module can be
found in Module Specifications and other programme documentation and online at
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/
The accuracy of the information in this document is reviewed by the University and
may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.
Awarding body/institution;
Loughborough University
Department;
Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
Teaching institution (if different);
Details of accreditation by a
professional/statutory body;
IMechE
Name of the final award;
MSc in Engineering Design and Manufacture
Programme title;
Engineering Design and Manufacture
UCAS code;
N/A
Date at which the programme
specification was written or
revised.
July 2008
1. Aims of the programme:
The aims of the programme are to enable students to:
 Evaluate and use appropriate design methods to solve design problems.
 Undertake effective design of machine elements and design for assembly.
 Integrate the application of engineering design methods with manufacturing
technology principles.
 Apply the principles of quality management and lean and agile manufacturing to
engineering operations.
 Apply operational planning methods to organisational planning and control.
 Apply strategic and marketing analysis to determine the business orientation of a
company.
 Plan, conduct and report research on an aspect of engineering design and
manufacture.
 Apply academic theory, knowledge and work experience to identify, define and
solve real-life engineering design and manufacturing problems.
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2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external and
internal reference points used to inform programme outcomes:
External references:
The programme outcomes have been formulated with reference to the QAA
Benchmark statements for Engineering and Management and QAA guidelines on the
quality assurance of distance learning. Industry input to steer programme content
and delivery has been through an Industrial Liaison Committee which meets
annually.
Internal references:
The University’s Professional Development unit.
Best practices in distance learning developed by the HEA Engineering Subject
Support Centre.
3. Intended Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding:
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to
demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
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The design methods and techniques used during product innovation, and the
fundamental principles that underpin the design of mechanical components.
The analysis and specification of business strategy, taking account of
international competition.
The application of lean and agile concepts to manufacturing businesses and
distribution chains.
The ideas and techniques of design for assembly applied to product development
in an integrated manner from design to manufacture.
The basic techniques of marketing management applied to engineering
organisations, with a focus on product innovation and development.
The principles of numerical control in manufacturing technology, including basic
processes and programming and flexible manufacturing systems.
The principles of operations management, including the planning and control and
application of business-wide information systems.
The application of modern quality management practices to the operation of
technical organisations.
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be
achieved and demonstrated:
All modules are delivered through distance learning. The modules have a structure,
style and layout standardised to pre-designed templates, in some cases making use
of CDs and video. All modules go through the Engineering Faculty’s approval
procedure operated by Engineering Education Centre. An agreed format and
activities have been adopted within all module materials to encourage active learning
for distance learning students and to allow students to plan and structure their study
time. There is a dedicated e-mail contact for all programme queries, managed by the
programme administrator. All queries are logged, forwarded to the appropriate
academic(s) and tracked. Students are invited to an initial meeting on campus.
During the programme, personal tutorial contact to discuss problems and progress
can be arranged. Students are provided with a module timetable and assessment
schedule so they can plan and control their workloads taking account of the demands
of their private lives and employers’ needs. Modules are assessed by written
examinations and/or coursework assignments as described in the module
specifications. Research skills are developed through coursework assignments and
in particular through an individual research project that includes an oral presentation.
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Skills and other attributes:
a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:
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Explain the influence of external and internal organisational issues on strategy
and describe appropriate strategies.
Explain the marketing planning process and its interdependence on the level of
organisational quality management.
Specify and design an appropriate lean or agile business system for a company.
Evaluate alternative approaches to the planning and control of manufacturing
operations and assess their effectiveness.
Explain the various design methods and techniques and their use during the
design process.
Explain basic theoretical techniques appropriate to the design of a wide range of
mechanical components.
Evaluate various machine tool and manufacturing cell designs from the
viewpoints of construction, capability and control architecture.
Explain design-for-assembly methods and their application in an integrated
product design and manufacture process.
Reason critically, gather, analyse and use engineering design and manufacture
data and information, and apply concepts and methodologies.
Synthesise current theoretical and practical knowledge of engineering design and
manufacture.
Learn through a process of identifying their own needs, planning to meet these
needs and evaluating the outcomes, thereby identifying new needs, and so on.
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be
achieved and demonstrated:
Cognitive skills are developed through the modular learning and teaching programme
and the programme structure. Research skills are developed through coursework
activities and a substantial individual research project based on a real-life industrial
problem.
b. Subject-specific practical skills:
On successful completion of the programme, students should be able to:
 Use strategic analysis tools and techniques to analyse the strategic orientation of
a company.
 Apply marketing tools and techniques to analyse a company’s marketing
planning activities and product portfolio.
 Detail the design of a lean or agile system and integrate a lean or agile system
with other manufacturing systems.
 Apply mathematical and computer-based operational planning methods to
organisational planning and control.
 Analyse the static and dynamic accuracy of a machine tool and use computer
aided part programme systems for NC programming.
 Apply engineering design methods and techniques effectively in design projects.
 Combine suitable mechanical components into the design of a mechanical
system.
 Evaluate a product concept or design using established design for assembly
methods and evaluate manual versus automatic assembly.
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be
achieved and demonstrated:
Students learn through the modules about the theory and practical aspects
underlying the subject-specific practical skills. Students are encouraged to develop
their practical engineering design and manufacture skills through an action-learning
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approach while undertaking the programme. Each student must manage the
demands of the programme in line with his/her employer’s requirements and the
demands of his/her personal life. The programme is flexible enough to allow students
to do this. The individual design project also encourages students to develop their
practical skills further. The project’s major requirement is for the design of a new
product, in collaboration with a company, including the technical analysis and
evaluation of proposed solutions. The project allows students to use creativity and
innovation to generate ideas and a range of solutions. Key specific practical skills are
assessed through a combination of coursework assignments and examination,
including oral presentation of project work.
c. Key/transferable skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:
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Hold informed discussions with engineering colleagues about engineering design
and manufacture issues, and present appropriate plans and proposals.
Solve engineering design and manufacture problems in a logical and systematic
manner.
Present a case for the choice of manufacturing systems, including for example
lean or agile, quality, manufacturing technology and operations management
issues.
Report on the suitability of mechanical components in the design of an overall
system.
Communicate effectively and professionally using written and oral skills.
Manage workload and time effectively.
Use an action-learning approach to study and work towards life-long learning.
Learn and work independently.
Use appropriate IT tools and techniques.
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be
achieved and demonstrated:
The development of transferable skills is critical to successful student learning on the
programme, especially developing the ability to learn and work independently. These
key/transferable skills provide students with adaptability for their future career and a
foundation from which to build further learning. The module content provides the
necessary theoretical and practical aspects of the design and manufacture
processes, problem solving, analysing limited and/or confusing information, and IT
applications. Individual coursework, especially the individual design project, is used
to improve and assess transferable skills such as ability to communicate and work
independently. Coursework assignments are also set to develop and assess a
student’s ability to work with incomplete and/or confusing information and to solve
problems in a logical and systematic way. Experiential learning is achieved through
coursework designed specifically to assess stated transferable skills.
4. Programme structures and requirements , levels, modules, credits
and awards:
The programme is the responsibility of the Wolfson School of Mechanical and
Manufacturing Engineering. It is studied on a part-time distance-learning basis only
and leads to one of the following awards:
 MSc – 180 credits
 Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) – 120 credits
 Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) – 60 credits
The programme is made up of taught modules and a substantial project. All modules
have a credit weight. The credit weight for a module is awarded to a candidate who
gains a module mark of not less than 50%. The lowest acceptable mark for a module
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is 40% (the minimum performance level). Candidates may be awarded an MSc after
accumulating 90 credits for their project, 60 credits from taught modules and being
assessed at the minimum performance level or better in further modules with a total
credit weight of 30.
Full details can be found in the Programme Regulations at:
5. Criteria for admission to the programme:
Admission is normally by an honours degree in engineering or physical sciences.
Other academic or professional qualifications such as a chartered professional
qualification are considered on their merits. Industrial or other appropriate experience
may also be used as part qualification for admission to the programme.
6. Information about assessment regulations:
Students are assessed on each module using coursework and/or examination.
Assessment of a module normally takes place at the end of the semester the module
is taught in. The individual design project is assessed at the end of the programme.
Reassessment may take place during the University’s special assessment period.
The pass mark to achieve credit for a module is 50%. There is also a minimum
performance pass-level, which is set at not less than 40% in the module assessment.
In order to pass the MSc students must:
 take modules with a total credit weight of 180, including the project module;
 obtain 150 credits, with 90 credits from the project module;
 pass modules with a further credit weight of 30 at the minimum 40% performance
pass-level.
In terms of marks in the module assessments, this means that students must obtain:
 50% or more in their project module (yielding 90 credits);
 50% or more in modules with a credit weight of 60;
 40% or more in further modules with a credit weight of 30.
In order to obtain distinction in the MSc, students must obtain 180 credits and have a
weighted average assessment score over all offered modules of at least 70%.
7. What makes the programme distinctive:
This is the only postgraduate taught programme offered by the School which is
taught entirely by distance learning. It provides training in mainstream manufacturing
and engineering design skills relevant to industry. The students, all working in
industry, undertake their final major project within their company, demonstrating the
skills studied. The School offers extensive remote tutorial support for the taught
modules with full supporting documentation and other media.
8. Particular support for learning:
Information on all the University’s support services can be found at:
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/admin/ar/templates/notes/lps/
9. Methods for evaluating and improving the quality and standards of
learning:
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/admin/ar/templates/notes/lps/
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