Educational aims
This engineering degree builds on recent and previous study and offers you an opportunity to fulfil the educational requirements for chartered status. The MEng programme aims to meet professional development needs as specified by the Engineering Council UK (ECUK) and relevant engineering institutions in the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC).
Learning outcomes
The outcomes are based closely on the Engineering Benchmark Statements of the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) in the following areas.
Knowledge and understanding
When you have completed this degree, you should have knowledge and understanding of:
- appropriate mathematical methods
- science appropriate to the specific engineering stream
- principles of IT and ICT relevant to the specific engineering stream
- general principles of design, techniques specific to particular products and processes, characteristics of engineering materials and components
- management and business practices (including finance, law, marketing, personnel and quality), professional and ethical responsibilities (including the global and social context of engineering)
- manufacturing and/or operational practice, codes of practice and regulatory framework, requirements for safe operation.
Cognitive skills
When you have completed this degree, you should be able to:
- select and apply appropriate mathematical methods for modelling and analysing engineering problems
- use scientific principles in the development of engineering solutions to practical problems; use scientific principles in the modelling and analysis of engineering systems, processes and products
- select and apply appropriate computer-based methods for modelling and analysing engineering problems
- undertake analysis of systems, processes and components requiring engineering solutions; create new processes or products through a synthesis of ideas from a wide range of sources
- undertake commercial risk evaluation
- produce solutions to problems through application of engineering knowledge and understanding, and have the ability to undertake technical risk evaluation.
Practical and/or professional skills
When you have completed this degree, you should be able to demonstrate skill in:
- use of appropriate mathematical methods for modelling and analysing discipline-specific engineering problems
- use of relevant test and measurement equipment; experimental laboratory work
- use of engineering IT tools (including programming languages where appropriate)
- design of a system, component or process; practical testing of design ideas in laboratory or through simulation, with technical analysis and critical evaluation of results; research for information to develop ideas further
- applying engineering techniques taking account of industrial and commercial constraints; project management.
Key skills
When you have completed this degree, you should be able demonstrate the following skills.
Communication
You will be able to:
- select and read material in an appropriate way, and identify and record what is relevant
- select, summarise and synthesise information from different types of material and sources
- present written material in a coherent and organised form, with arguments and information set out in a logical sequence, and with sources references in an appropriate way
- present technical reports on the engineering approach to the solution of problems; time- and resource-management; teamwork and leadership.
Application of number
You should be able to:
- manipulate data; present data in a variety of ways
- use scientific evidence-based methods in the solution of problems.
Information technology
You should be able to:
- access, process and prepare information using computers.
Learning how to learn
You should be able to:
- use creativity and innovation in problem solving; work with limited or contradictory information
- identify and use sources of support and feedback
- monitor your progress and reflect on how successful you have been.
Teaching, learning and assessment methods
Knowledge and understanding are acquired through distance-learning materials, including specially written course materials, study guides, assignments and project guides; through a range of computer-based activities; through CD-ROM, Web- and text-based resource materials; and through tutor feedback on assignments. Computer-conferencing facilities provide an environment where you can deepen your understanding through discussion with other students and tutors.
Within the constraints laid down, you may choose the courses you study, thus developing knowledge and understanding in a range of topics (or ‘streams’) to suit your personal needs and interests.
Cognitive skills are developed through a range of activities including self-assessment exercises, multimedia tasks and computer-based investigations. They are supported by tutor-led discussions and activities at regional tutorials and day schools or online and by tutor feedback on assignments.
The first three of the practical and professional skills (listed above) refer to the vocational relevance of the degree. All teaching and assessment strategies will help you to develop skills that are transferable to the workplace, whatever combination of courses you take. The compulsory Level 3 and Level M projects are designed to consolidate these skills.
The final skill is developed through a hands-on approach using appropriate software packages and associated assessment strategies.
Key skills are taught and developed within the teaching materials. They are explicitly assessed throughout the degree and are supported by tutor feedback on assignments. They are specifically addressed in the two compulsory courses T191 Personal and career development in engineering and T397 Key skills for professional engineers. There are progressively increasing expectations of your key skills as you move from Level 1 through Level 2 to Level 3.
Key skills also have strong vocational relevance and can transfer directly to the workplace.
Teaching and learning will be via course materials (including study guides, textbooks, set books, audio and video material, home activity kits, and course-related software), optional face-to-face or online tutorials, at least two compulsory week-long residential schools, plus individualised tutor feedback.
Continuous assessment will be via written, tutor-marked assignments and/or computer-marked assignments; end-of-course assessment via examination or written project.