LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY
Programme Specification
Sports Technology - BSc
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/admin/ar
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;
Wolfson School of Mechanical & Manufacturing
Engineering
Teaching institution (if different);
Details of accreditation by a
professional/statutory body;
Name of the final award;
BSc, BSc DIS, BSc DInts
Programme title;
Sports Technology
UCAS code;
CH67
Date at which the programme
specification was written or
revised.
June 2008
1. Aims of the programme:
To provide an honours degree course in the field of sporting product
design, manufacture and supporting technology which satisfies the needs
of industry for high quality graduates who have a strong academic
background combined with outstanding integrative skills.
2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external and
internal reference points used to inform programme outcomes:
QAA Benchmark statements for Engineering
Loughborough University Learning and Teaching Strategy
Framework for Higher Education Qualifications
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3. Intended Learning Outcomes
This programme seeks to combine creative and technical design skills with
the core engineering and sports focussed knowledge of manufacturing
processes, technologies and human factors. On completion of the course,
students should have acquired a broad base of sports technology knowledge
and experience. They should be self reliant and able to contribute well in
team situations. By using a wide variety of teaching and learning methods,
enhanced by exceptionally strong research links within the sporting goods and
manufacturing industry, graduates will have gained the ability to apply
engineering and scientific principles effectively in a commercial environment.
They will have acquired a sound basis for a career in sports / manufacturing
engineering, engineering or sports product design. More specifically, on
successful completion of this programme, students should be able to
demonstrate:
3.1 Knowledge and Understanding:
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to
demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
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the underpinning science, mathematics and other disciplines
associated with careers related to the design of sports / engineering
equipment
the variability in human performance capability and methods of
evaluation including fitness and training principles relating to sport
and exercise
principles governing the mechanics and biomechanics of sports
movements
principles of industrial design, engineering design and
manufacturing design
ergonomic and aesthetic considerations and how they impact on
sports design
management techniques and business practices and the
commercial and economic context of an sports / engineering
business.
the role of instrumentation and measurement techniques within
equipment evaluation and experimental protocol design
the role of information technology in providing support for product
design and manufacturing
intellectual property issues and environmental, legal and ethical
issues within the modern industrial world.
the characteristics of engineering materials, equipment and
processes and an awareness of basic mechanical workshop
practices.
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Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be
achieved and demonstrated:
3.2
Skills and other attributes:
a. Subject-specific intellectual skills
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:
 identify and define a design or sports engineering problem and
generate innovative solutions;
 apply appropriate methods to model such solutions.
 Utilise the principles of engineering science in the development of
solutions to problems;
 Evaluate commercial risk and market trends within the sports
sector;
 Evaluate technical risk with regard to sports equipment
manufacture;
 Analyse, objectively evaluate and apply the principles of industrial
design, and engineering design;
 evaluate the fitness and training requirements of participants for a
range of sports;
 Apply biomechanics to the analysis of movement in sport;
 demonstrate an awareness of form, function, fit, aesthetics,
environment and safety;
 Show initiative, innovation and intellect in problem solving;
 Apply general marketing principles to the sports sector;
 Select and apply appropriate IT tools to product design and
manufacture problems.
b. Subject-specific practical skills
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:
 manage the design process taking account of customer constraints
such as cost, health and safety, risk and environmental issues;
 Research information, generate and evaluate product design ideas;
 Communicate design ideas through the presentation of concept
drawings, computer graphics and conventional sketching;
 perform engineering design calculations;
 prepare engineering drawings and technical reports;
 demonstrate an understanding of manufacturing technology;
 use measurement and test equipment to complete experimental
laboratory work and collect biomechanics data;
 test design concepts via practical investigation;
 present technical and business information in a variety of ways;
 use a variety of observation and test methods to appraise human
function and movement;
 use appropriate computer software and laboratory equipment.
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c. Key/transferable skills
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:
 demonstrate organisational and management skills;
 apply creative, structured and evidence based approaches to
problem solving;
 Communicate effectively through written, graphical, interpersonal
and presentation skills;
 work effectively both in a team and independently;
 organise and manage time and resources to meet deadlines.
 generate and manipulate data.
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable the above
outcomes to be achieved and demonstrated:
Acquisition of the above skills is through a combination of lectures,
tutorials, seminars, group and individual projects, practical laboratory work,
and coursework.
Assessment is through a combination of written examinations and
assessed coursework. Coursework assessment is achieved through the
evaluation of laboratory reports, technical reports, CAD assignments,
problem solving exercises, oral and poster presentations and product
designs.
4. Programme structures and requirements, levels, modules, credits and
awards:
The programme is offered as a full-time 3-year course leading to the award of
B.Sc. (Hons) or a 4 year sandwich course (the third year being spent in
industry), and leading to a BEng (Hons) with a Diploma in Industrial Studies.
Students study modules with a combined weight of 120 credits in each part
(academic year) of the programme and each part is taught in two 15 week
semesters. A number of the larger modules are structured to run throughout
the year (semesters 1 and 2).
Full details can be found in the Programme Regulations at:
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/admin/ar/lps/progreg/year/0809/docs/Sports%20Techn
ology%20BSc.doc
5. Criteria for admission to the programme:
Candidates must be able to satisfy the general requirements of the University
and of the School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering; typically the
requirements are:
A Level Qualifications
320 points (ABB) incl. Mathematics GCSE grade A or Maths AS level
grade C, OR equivalent VCE qualifications.
BTEC
Outstanding candidates are considered on an individual basis
Highers
ABB incl. Maths and Physics
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International Baccalaureate
32 IB points, including 5 in Mathematics and Physics.
For further details contact our Admissions team on Tel. 01509 227644.
Application is via UCAS and all applicants who receive a conditional or
unconditional offer are invited to visit the University to meet staff and
current students and to tour the facilities. Such visits are specially
tailored to the needs of prospective students on this course and give
significantly more information than general University open days.
6. Information about assessment:
The method of assessment for each module is described within the
relevant module specification (see section 4 above).
Examinations are held in each subject for which an examination is required
in the assessment period at the end of the semester in which it is taught.
At the end of each year the results from examinations and coursework
assessment are combined into a single module mark. Percentage scores
are calculated to one decimal place and then rounded to the nearest
integer.
At the end of the year, the results for each module are compiled and
considered by an examination board, which awards credit for each
satisfactorily completed module. Students who achieve sufficient credit to
meet the assessment requirements of their programme regulations will
be allowed to proceed to the next year/part of their course.
Briefly, 100 credits are needed for progression in each year of the B.Sc.
degree however, in addition, this programme demands that students
achieve at least 30% in all compulsory modules in order to progress from
Parts A or B. This rule is applied to ensure that students are not permitted
to skip modules on which later material may be based. Readers are
directed to the programme regulations for full details of this and the criteria
for the award of a degree. The method of assessment for each module is
described within the relevant module specification (see section 4 above).
Candidates who do not not meet the criteria for progression will have the
right to be re-assessed on one further occasion and, for Parts A and B of
the course, this re-assessment may take place in the University’s Special
Assessment Period in early September or in the next academic year. Reassessment in the Special Assessment Period is not permitted for final
year candidates or if less than 60 credits has been achieved.
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7. What makes the programme distinctive:
The programme is unique in the UK being developed out of a strong
industrially focused and supported research activity which pioneered research
support from EPSRC on sports equipment related research. The Sports
Technology Research Group (STRG) has an international reputation and has
many research collaborations with global sports equipment brands and sports
governing bodies. These relationships enabled an industrial relevant course
design with further evidence of support in the creation of the Dunlop
Slazenger Chair in Sports Technology. The course template was based on
the School’s already successful B.Eng. (Hons) in Product Design and
Manufacture with one third of the programme using common design and
manufacture modules. Approximately one third of the programmes consisted
of new material emanating from the STRG research activity and based in our
specialist laboratories with the remaining modules being taught by the School
of Sport and Exercise Science (SESS). In Teaching Quality Assessment, the
School was awarded 23 points out of a maximum of 24, confirming it as a
leader in quality of teaching.
The programme is extremely industry focused to ensure that the content is
both applied and relevant and stresses practical and project work focused on
content that has grown from a strong research base ( STRG started in 1986,
£25M grant income, 30 Ph.D. students). Transferable skills are developed on
the programme with strong emphasis on industrial case studies, presentation,
teamwork and project management.
There are a large range of options on the programme with modules covering:
 Engineering / Technology / Manufacturing
o e.g. mechanics, impacts, instruments, machining, manufacture,
innovation, evaluation, analysis and management
 Sports Science / Human Performance
o e.g. biomechanics, anatomy, physiology, training, adaptation,
nutrition, fatigue, recovery and injury
 Design / Prototype / Make
o e.g. functionality, aesthetics, safety, sustainability, tooling,
materials, packaging, assembly and disposal
The programme has recently been supported by a £15M bespoke Sports
Technology Research Institute commissioned in collaboration with UK Sport
and the East Midlands Development Agency. The laboratory is equipped with
state of the art sports technology equipment to support the research and
teaching efforts. The teaching and learning collaboration with SESS (with
excellent sports science and biomechanics laboratories) together with
University world class sports facilities enables delivery of an excellent sports
technology programme. The work of the students and researchers associated
with the programme has attracted significant awards and media coverage.
In the last Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) both the Wolfson School of
Mechanical Engineering and the Department of Manufacturing Engineering
achieved a grade 5. The School is continually building on this achievement
and is confident of improving its rating in the future.
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8. Particular support for learning:
Information on all the University support services can be found at
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/admin/ar/templateshop/notes/lps/index.htm.
Additional Wolfson School Services:
Industrial Placements and Careers:
The Wolfson School employs a full time officer to offer advice regarding
careers and industrial placements. Also the University’s Careers Office
run timetabled tutorial sessions within the programme’s curriculum.
Computing Facilities:
The School has installed many computers to enhance the extensive
central facilities provided by the Computing There are four networked
computer suites within the Wolfson School building that are used for
both teaching and private study with access 24 hours, 7 days per week.
Pastoral Care and Mentoring:
All students are allocated a personal tutor with whom they meet on a
regular basis. The School operates an innovative peer mentoring
scheme within a special induction programme to ease the transition
from school or college to university.
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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