MSc Manufacturing Engineering Innovation & Management

This course is presented as a one-year, full-time Masters level programme which will comprise two stages and give a total duration of one calendar year.

Stage 1 will extend for two semesters and consist of predominantly taught modules and a case study as a forerunner to the research project and dissertation in the field of Manufacturing Engineering, Innovation, and Management to the value of 120 credits, and Stage 2, which consists of a Dissertation module worth 60 credits.

Core Modules for Year One

• Operations Management
• Lean and Operational Excellence
• Manufacturing Engineering Innovation and Management Case Study
• Manufacturing Engineering Innovation and Management Project

Optional Modules for Year One

• Measurement Systems
• Manufacturing Informatics
• Commercialising Innovation
• Artificial Intelligence
• Quality and Reliability
• Condition Monitoring, Systems Modelling and Forecasting
• Energy Management
• Advanced Robotics

How Will I Be Assessed?

Assessment

Achievement of learning outcomes in the classroom-based modules is assessed by University examinations set in January and May/June. The balance between examination and coursework depends upon the modules selected, in addition to a triple module (30-credit) case study.

Award of an MSc requires successful completion of Stage 2, the Dissertation, with a mark of 50% or higher.

Candidates achieving a 70% average may be awarded a Distinction. Candidates achieving a 60% average may be awarded a Merit. Candidates failing to qualify for an MSc may be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma of Higher Education for 120 credits in Stage 1. Candidates failing to complete the 120 credits required for Stage 1 may still be eligible for the award of a Postgraduate Certificate of Higher Education for the achievement of at least 60 credits.

What Skills Will I Practise and Develop?

You will practise and develop the following skills:

Knowledge and Understanding

• Understand theories, principles and concepts in the context of Manufacturing Engineering thus supporting the effective application of engineering science, mathematics and other disciplines needed for Manufacturing Engineering problem-solving
• Understand the limitations of current knowledge and technologies and the need to gain new knowledge through further study in responding to the changing nature of technologies and the needs of society
• Understand the role of Innovation in the context of Manufacturing Engineering
• Acquire management skills appropriate for a career in Manufacturing Engineering and/or research environment
• Enable the critical analysis of information including current literature in support of the identification of gaps in information that may lead to innovations and developments in Manufacturing Engineering.
• Be aware of and be able to respond to the responsibilities professional engineers have to society

Intellectual Skills

• Use knowledge and scientific, evidence-based, methods in the assessment and solution of Manufacturing Engineering challenges, often on the basis of limited and possibly contradictory information
• Deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively
• Show originality in tackling both familiar and unfamiliar problems
• Systematically undertake a significant research project in an area of Manufacturing Engineering Innovation and Management which includes originality in the application of knowledge
• Collect, evaluate, synthesise and interpret qualitative and quantitative data in a variety of ways, and identify means to gain new data where needed
• Conceive, plan, execute and communicate the results of an extended in-depth piece of individual project work
• Sustain a critical argument, both in writing and through presentations

Practical Skills

• Use appropriate mathematical and experimental methods for the modelling and analysis of Manufacturing Engineering Innovation and Management problems.
• Successfully undertake a major project, taking account of constraints such as time, cost, health and safety as well as environmental issues.

Transferable Skills

• Manipulate, present and report data in a variety of ways
• Manage resources and time
• Communicate ideas, principles and theories effectively through oral, written, and physical or practical means
• Generate a concise literature review
• Make effective use of information technology and communications (ITC) tools
• Work effectively in a group context towards achieving specific goals and targets
• Understand the role of individual and team-based project work in the context of professional Manufacturing Engineering
• Develop project management skills appropriate for a career in engineering and an understanding of the application of these skills in a commercial and/or research environment

Employment opportunities for students undertaking the proposed programme will be largely with national and international companies in the manufacturing engineering sector.

You may wish to use the MSc platform to go on to study for a PhD which can lead to an industrial or academic career.

How Will I Be Taught?

A wide range of teaching styles will be used to deliver the diverse material forming the curriculum of the programme, and you will be required to attend lectures and participate in example classes.

A 10-credit module represents approximately 100 hours of study in total, which includes 24–36 hours of contact time with teaching staff. The remaining hours are intended to be for private study, coursework, revision and assessment. Therefore you are expected to spend a significant amount of time (typically 20 hours each week) studying independently.

At the dissertation stage, you will be allocated a supervisor in the relevant field of research whom you should expect to meet with regularly.

Learning Central, the Cardiff University virtual learning environment (VLE), will be used extensively to communicate, support lectures and provide general programme materials such as reading lists and module descriptions. It may also be used to provide self-testing assessments and give feedback.