The course is designed to equip graduates with an enhanced understanding of key components available to the organisation needing to take this broader approach to increasing the quality of its engineering and ultimately its competitiveness. To contribute fully the more senior mechanical engineering professional needs to recognise the potential offered by, for example effective design, modern materials, advanced IT and the management of both manufacturing and projects.

2. The Course
A significant proportion of the modules on this course have been developed to emphasize the importance of an integrated 'systems' approach to most aspects of mechanical engineering. Teaching is also underpinned by some of the Faculty of Technology's major research strengths.

Modules covering personal, professional and research skills further enhance the ability of the Plymouth Masters graduate to make a real contribution to a vast range of mechanical engineering and management roles.

The MSc and MRes comprise three blocks of study: Autumn, Spring and Summer. The MSc has two blocks of taught study followed by a 60 credit research project while the MRes has one block of study followed by a longer, 110 credit research project.

The MRes is most suitable for company employees who can obtain a term's leave for study and then return to undertake the project in the workplace.

Course Structure (number of credits is shown in brackets)

Admission to MSc

Block 1 Personal and Professional Skills (10) Entrepreneurship (10) World Class Manufacturing Systems (10) Design for Structural Integrity (10) Control and Robotics (20) Block 2 Smart Materials and Intelligent Structural Systems (20) Simulation of Engineering Systems (10) Research Skills and Project Development (10) Systems Approach to Project Management (10) Advanced IT (10) Projects MSc students take both blocks and the 60 credit MSc project. MRes students take one block, both skills modules and the 110 credit MRes project. A PgDip is awarded for achieving 120 credits and a PgCert for 60 credits.

A minimum of a lower class honours degree (2.2) in Mechanical / Materials / Manufacturing Engineering or similar engineering subject (that includes Solid Mechanics) for MSc (2.1 for MRes). Students with advanced standing who can evidence an academic ability to a similar level may also be considered. All applicants should possess a minimum of grade C in English language at GCSE level or a minimum score of 6.5 in IELTS, 570 in TOEFL or 230 in TOEFL computer based. Applicants should also have A2 or a similar level Mathematics qualification. Telephone: +44(0)1752 233322 Fax: +44(0)1752 233310 Email: technology@plymouth.ac.uk

3. Module Information

Block 1 (60 Credits)

Personal and Professional Skills (10 Credits)
This module introduces the skills required for study on a M.Sc. course. These include the concepts of literature searching, identifying relevant research, and its critical appraisal. The concepts of creative thinking, time management, self study, self awareness, presentation and personal skills are developed in the module as a precursor to the project and a professional career.

Design for Structural Integrity (10 Credits)
This module develops a systems approach to health monitoring and design of engineered structures. It introduces the techniques and codes relevant to structural design under static and dynamic loading and provides an appreciation of the causes and types of failure. The ability to identify failure modes using, for example, electron microscopy and to learn from design mistakes is emphasised throughout.

Control and Robotics (20 Credits)
This will give the engineer a thorough understanding of the design of control systems using a range of approaches along with robot modelling and programming using both modern and artificial intelligent approaches. For example, designing optimal and intelligent adaptive control systems using paradigms based on fuzzy logic, artificial neural networks and genetic algorithms. The robot modelling will be as part of a Flexible Automation System.

World Class Manufacturing Systems (10 Credits)
This module will provide students with an understanding of the some of the philosophies, tools and techniques available to the business with aspirations to become and remain World-Class. Topics covered include Supply Chain Management, the Lean organisation, Quality Management Tools and Systems and the role a World Class Manager plays in developing the culture of the organisation.

Entrepreneurship (10 Credits)
This module is aimed at helping budding entrepreneurs to develop their skills and knowledge on how best to commercialise their own business ideas. It covers all aspects from the marketable idea to running your own business including market research, protecting your ideas, setting up and financing your business, business planning and exploiting intellectual property.

Block 2 (60 Credits)

Smart Materials and Intelligent Structural Systems (20 Credits)
This module will equip engineers with the ability to select and apply the materials needed to satisfy the demanding mechanical physical, economic and environmental needs of the future. The materials covered include, ceramics, polymers, semiconductors, surface coatings, thin films, biomaterials, advanced composites and nanotechnology. The industrial application of smart materials in sensors, actuators and condition monitoring systems is also investigated.

Simulation of Engineering Systems (10 Credits)
This module aims to give the engineer the ability to carry out the dynamic simulation of sophisticated engineering systems, predict their behaviour and optimise performance. The core of this module is an extended case study using Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) software such as "Matlab - Simulink" to simulate the impact of an increasing number of factors on an engineering system's performance, for example, drag, rolling resistance, gear ratios etc. on an automobile.)

Advanced IT (10 Credits)
This module develops a critical awareness of the effective use of cutting-edge information technology to solve complex engineering problems. The syllabus will be regularly reviewed to reflect industrial needs and the state of the art in this rapidly changing field but currently includes applications of artificial intelligence, data collection, processing and communication as well as specialist design software.

Systems Approach to Project Management (10 Credits)
This module will enable the Project Manager to employ systems thinking to the modelling, analysis, and resolution of engineering problems and scenarios. Approaches ranging from traditional project management and control systems to value stream analysis will be applied across the discipline to reduce the risk of failure and minimise waste.

Research Skills and Project Development (10 Credits)
This module guides the student into the research environment and their individual project. It includes a review of project management, research writing, development of a full project proposal (on the student's project), and engagement with a series of research talks/specialist updates.

Projects

MSc Project (60 Credits)
MSc students will undertake a research project lasting approximately five months taken from a Project Catalogue that includes projects requested by industry. On completion students will communicate their motivation, methodology and conclusions through a formal dissertation and viva.

MRes Project (110 Credits)
MRes students will undertake a substantial research project of their choosing and taken from a Project Catalogue that includes projects requested by industry. The project may be undertaken in the student's workplace. On completion students will communicate their motivation, methodology and conclusions through a formal dissertation and viva.

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David J Grieve, 1st March 2005.