Programme Specification
Aerosystems Engineering
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
Teaching institution (if
different);
Details of accreditation by a
professional/statutory body;
Name of the final award;
Programme title;
UCAS code;
Date at which programme
specification was written or
revised.
Advanced Systems Engineering Course
Royal Air Force Cranwell
Nil
MSc
Aerosystems Engineering
N/A
July 2005
1. Aims of programme:
To supply specialist departments of the Royal Air Force with postgraduate engineers having
an in-depth understanding of Aerosystems engineering and the application to the design of
military weapons systems.
To provide pre-employment technical training in a wide range of advanced Aerosystems
topics of particular relevance to engineering officers entering specialist appointments within
the Royal Air Force.
To develop an integrated systems engineering perspective of the design, manufacture and
application of Aerosystems engineering to the defence industry and military weapons
systems.
2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external and internal reference
points used to inform programme outcomes:
RAF Quality Management principles
BS EN ISO 9001:2000 Quality Management System (The Standard)
DCAE ©/DCL/ASEC Quality Manual
RAF Air Publication 3379 – The RAF Quality Manual
ASEC Course Management Procedures
Headquarters Strike Command (HQ STC) Course Sponsor
Defence Systems Approach to Training (DSAT) Quality Standards
Framework for HE Qualifications (FHEQ) standards
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3. Intended Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding:
On successful completion of the programme, students should be able to demonstrate
knowledge and understanding of a systems viewpoint for military weapons systems
design, manufacture and performance.
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be achieved
and demonstrated:
The course is divided into to 3 Parts which are delivered at Royal Air Force Cranwell.
Parts 1 and 2 concentrate on the delivery of the technology subjects and Part 3 is
dedicated to Project work. A variety of teaching methods is used such as: taught
lectures, practical experiments, computer laboratory work, group workshops and
industrial visits. The modules are delivered exclusively by Senior Burnham Lectures
and RAF MSc qualified specialists who are practising experts in their subject matter.
Modules are assessed by a combination of written examinations, written coursework,
Viva Voce examinations and a Group presentation.
Skills and other attributes:
a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:
On successful completion of the programme, students will be able to demonstrate an
integrated systems viewpoint for military weapons systems design and manufacture
and specific skills in terms of system function and performance.
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be achieved
and demonstrated:
Generally achieved through substantial written coursework, group and individual
project work and written examinations for specific technical subjects.
b. Subject-specific practical skills:
On successful completion of the programme, students will be able to demonstrate
essential skills, such as calculating performance and effectiveness of military systems.
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be achieved
and demonstrated:
Students undertake a number of complex systems analysis exercises with limited
information requiring intelligent application of the technical knowledge gained during
the programme. The exercises are assessed by systems experts in the form of a
written report and an individual Viva Voce.
c. Key/transferrrable skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to generate and
analyse data to solve complex engineering problems and work interactively with
colleagues on complex design solutions for military requirements.
Their transferable skills will be enhanced in their capacity to learn: project
management, effective technical presentation, numerical ability, critical appraisal,
problem solving and report writing.
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be achieved
and demonstrated:
Students will gain an insight into the practical aspects of the programme with special
emphasis on their future area of employment. They will gain experience and
knowledge of how to effectively manage scarce resources to solve complex and
demanding military requirements.
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4. Programme Structures and requirements, levels, modules, credits and awards:
COMPULSORY MODULES
Code
Module Title
TTP100
Aerodynamics & Aircraft Design
20
TTP101
Telecommunications Technology
15
TTP102
Propulsion Technology
15
TTP103
Electro-Optics
15
TTP104
Control Engineering
10
TTP105
Radar
15
TTP106
Avionics & Guidance Systems
10
TTP107
Weapons Systems
20
TTP109
Individual Project
30
TTP110
Group Project
30
5. Criteria for admission to the programme:
Candidates will possess a relevant engineering degree. Candidates must satisfy the stringent
requirements of a selection panel comprising of 4 x RAF engineering officers of the rank of
Wing Commander and chaired by a Group Captain.
6. Information about assessment regulations:
The pass mark to achieve credit for a module is 50%. There is also a minimum performance
level, which is set at not less than 40% of the module assessment.
In order to pass the MSc students must:
 take modules with a total credit weighting of 180
 obtain at least 150 credits including 60 credits from the project modules
 pass modules with a module weighting of 30 at the minimum performance level
In order to obtain distinction in the MSc, students must obtain 180 credits and have a
weighted average assessment score over all modules of at least 70%
7. Indicators of quality:
The Department’s Programme Quality System (QS) complies with BS EN ISO 9001:1994.
Full authority for the administration of the QS rests with the Quality Assurance Manager
(QAM) who has full responsibility for ensuring that the requirements of the QS are
maintained, problems are identified and corrective action is taken. There is an annual
assessment of Lecturer instructional techniques and remedial action is taken as required.
Individual projects are cross marked by Loughborough University academic staff. There is an
internal validation at mid course and end of course including feedback from students. There
is external validation feedback from graduates and their line managers 6 months after
graduation.
8. Particular support for learning:
Library:
Trenchard Hall has its own Library which is available to all students. It is open 40 hours per
week throughout the year and possesses the most advanced literature search library software
available. There are multi-media facilities within the Library, including Internet access,
scanners, micro-fiche readers and printers. The Librarians are specialists within the military
field and can obtain material from a number of military sources throughout the world.
Librarian staff offer literature search facilities for the MSc students and have a vast number
of technical Journals and Military Periodicals.
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Computing Services:
All students on the programme have individual specialist PCs provided within their own
resources room. The PCs are linked to the Royal Air Force Intranet and the students also
have access to their own Internet system, Fax machine, photocopier and scanner. In the near
future students will also be provided with their own Laptop computers for use on the course.
Learning and Teaching Development:
Trenchard Hall has an active training and development department which provides assistance
and expertise in the modern approaches to learning. Dissemination of best practice is ensured
through regular lecturer monitoring, staff and student feedback and specialist development
courses.
Staff Development:
Each member of staff has a Staff Training Need Profile (STNP) and Individual Training
Profile (ITP) which is reviewed and agreed annually by the staff supervisor. Identified
training needs are scheduled throughout the year to ensure updates in technology are
incorporated and teaching techniques kept current. Probationary staff undertake a structured
programme of development and continue with technical update courses and seminars.
9. Methods for evaluating and improving the quality and standards of learning:
The Department has specific formal quality procedures which are structured to comply in all
respects with the ISO 9001:2000 requirements. It also has its own Quality Manual to ensure
the quality procedures are followed and are auditable. Within the Course Management Plan
for the programme a system is in place to record, discuss and action all comments from
students using a comprehensive feedback system of Internal Course Validation (ICV) reports.
These reports are formally processed from the students, through the Lecturer, Course
Manager, Quality Assurance Manager and Defence Academy Manager to the Course Sponsor
(if unresolved) and the outcome of the decisions are conveyed back to the students. A series
of meetings are held with the students at the end of each Part of the course, at the mid-course
and end of course. After a period of 6 months following their departure from the department,
students and their superiors are provided with a questionnaire (Customer Satisfaction Survey)
to make comment on the relevance of the course content to their posts.
Annual quality assurance visits and discussions are held with staff to improve the course and
a full Course Content review and Syllabus Review are carried out every 5 years.
The University has a formal quality procedure and reporting structure laid out in its
Academic Quality Procedures handbook, available online at:
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/admin/ar/policy/aqp/index.htm
and directed by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching).
Each Faculty has an Associate Dean for Teaching responsible for all learning and teaching
matters. For each Faculty there is a Directorate (responsible for the allocation of resources)
and a Board (responsible for monitoring quality issues within each department). Support is
provided by Professional Development.
Student feedback on modules and programmes is sought at regular intervals, individual
programmes are reviewed annually, and Departments review their full portfolio of
programmes as part of a Periodic Programme Review (every five years).
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Minor changes to Module Specifications are approved by the Associate Dean (Teaching) on
behalf of the Faculty Board, and ratified by the University Curriculum Sub-Committee in
accordance with the University's quality procedures. Major changes are formally considered
by the University Curriculum Sub-Committee.
All staff participate in the University's staff appraisal scheme, which helps to identify any
needs for staff skills development. Both probationary staff and those seeking promotion to
Senior Lecturer are subject to a formal teaching evaluation scheme, administered by PD and
accredited by the Higher Education Academy.
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