LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY
Programme Specification
Automotive Systems 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;
The Institution of Mechanical Engineers
Name of the final award;
M.Sc, PGDiploma or PGCertificate
Programme title;
Automotive Systems Engineering
UCAS code;
N/A
Date at which the programme
specification was written or
revised.
June 2008
1. Aims of the programme:
To supply the automotive industries with postgraduates having a good grounding in relevant
engineering principles and the subsequent practical application to relevant product design.
To provide a broad-based and sound education in advanced topics of relevance to
automotive engineering via in-depth study and an understanding of selected engineering
science topics and the application of fundamental principles to the design and development
of engineering products and systems.
To develop an integrated systems engineering viewpoint for automotive product, design and
manufacture, with specific skills in formulating engineering systems in terms of function and
performance and to provide insights into the essential skills, such as multi-criteria decisionmaking and other facets of a systems approach to managing complex projects.
2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external and internal reference
points used to inform programme outcomes:
QAA Benchmark statements for Engineering
QAA for Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ)
EC (UK) Specification for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC)
I.Mech.E Educational Base
Ford Design Institute (incorporating senior managers from the Ford Motor company and
other major Institutions)
Course Industrial Advisory Committee
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3. Intended Learning Outcomes
3.1
Knowledge and Understanding:
On successful completion of the programme, students should be able to demonstrate
knowledge and understanding of a systems viewpoint for automotive design and
manufacture together with an ability to formulate automotive engineering systems in
terms of their function and performance.
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be
achieved and demonstrated:
Taught modules are delivered as week-long residential courses in Burleigh Court
followed by a second week supported by distance-learning. A variety of teaching
methods are employed, such as: taught lectures, workshops, group work and
computer laboratory work. The modules are delivered by teaching teams that include
external presenters, who are practising experts in the subject matter. Modules are
assessed either by a combination of written examinations and written coursework or
by a series of written assignments.
3.2
Skills and other attributes:
a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to
demonstrate an integrated systems engineering viewpoint for automotive product
design and manufacture and specific skills in formulating engineering systems in
terms of function and performance.
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be
achieved and demonstrated:
Generally achieved through substantial coursework assignments which are assessed
through written coursework reports although, in the case of the core taught modules,
written examinations are also held.
b. Subject-specific practical skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to demonstrate
essential skills, such as multi-criteria decision-making, and other facets of a systems
approach to managing complex engineering projects.
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be
achieved and demonstrated:
Students undertake a major individual project investigating a real-life research, plant
operational or management problem, either in the Department or at their place of
work. Prior to their commencement of the Project, full-time students undertake in
semester one an Individual Project Literature Survey and Feasibility Study which is
assessed by written report and oral presentation. The Project is carried out over the
Summer following the completion of the taught programme in the case of full-time
students or generally within three years by part-time students. It is assessed by
written report, oral presentation and judgement on diligence and ability to plan and
perform the work.
c. Key/transferable 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 and other issues raised in the
modules in a changing commercial environment.
Their transferable skills will be enhanced in their capacity to learn, IT, project
management, effective presentation, numerical ability, critical appraisal, problem
solving and report writing.
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Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be
achieved and demonstrated:
Students will gain an insight into the practical, work-related aspects of the subjects
studies through sharing experiences with their colleagues and presenters and by
taking part in workshops and case studies. Part-time students in industry will have to
manage their time effectively over an extended period.
4. Programme structures and requirements, levels, modules, credits and awards:
Full details can be found in the Programme Regulations at:
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/admin/ar/lps/progreg/year/0809/docs/Automotive%20Systems%20En
gineering%20MSc.doc
5. Criteria for admission to the programme:
Full-time candidates should have a 1st or 2:1 engineering or physical science first degree, or
equivalent.
Part-time candidates should have an engineering or physical science first degree or
equivalent together with, preferably, 2 or more years company service and a company
management recommendation.
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 weight of 180, to include the project module;
 obtain 150 credits, with 60 credits from the project module;
 pass modules with a further credit weight of 30 at the minimum performance level.
In terms of marks in the module assessments, this means that students must obtain:
 50% or more in their project module (60 credits);
 50% or more in modules with a credit weight of 90;
 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:
The programme content has been developed in conjunction with Ford Motor Company.
Full-time students are taught alongside part-time students who are full-time employees of
automotive companies.
The programme is accredited by IMechE.
8. Particular support for learning:
See:
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/admin/ar/templateshop/notes/lps/index.htm
9. Methods for evaluating and improving the quality and standards of learning:
The University has a formal quality procedure and reporting structure laid out in its Academic
Quality Procedures handbook, available online at:
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http://www.lboro.ac.uk/admin/ar/policy/aqp/index.htm
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