Advanced Industrial and Manufacturing Systems MSc

If you would like to develop your skills as a manufacturing engineer and gain the ability to design and manufacture a new product quickly and to the highest quality, this course is ideal. Increasing pressure from global competition has left modern manufacturing companies facing new challenges of producing products quickly and effectively without compromising quality in order to stay competitive and satisfy consumer demand.

This course concentrates on enabling you to turn ideas into real products by employing the most appropriate methods and techniques in a cost-effective way. You will also be given the opportunity to visit various industrial companies to appreciate how the technologies are used in real production environments.

This degree has been accredited by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), under licence from the UK regulator, the Engineering Council, as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for a Chartered Engineer (CEng) for candidates who have already acquired an accredited CEng (Partial) BEng(Hons) degree.

Those students with an IEng accredited, or unaccredited, undergraduate degree will have their undergraduate programme modules reviewed by IMechE, upon completion of this MSc, and may be required to take further learning (if any) for CEng registration.

See www.imeche.org for further information.

Accreditation is a mark of assurance that the degree meets the standards set by the Engineering Council in the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC). Some employers recruit preferentially from accredited degrees, and an accredited degree is likely to be recognised by other countries that are signatories to international accords.

Please check the Engineering Council course search for more information

What will you study?

You will learn how to deal with complex problems in different manufacturing areas and industries. You will study the business context of manufacturing practice and how to apply systematic solutions in an integrated manufacturing environment. You will gain the necessary skills to demonstrate and engage in academic and professional communication with others in the field of manufacturing through reports and visual presentations. You will learn how to apply appropriate analyses, methods and systems to improve overall efficiency. You will also study technical systems and specifications related to most engineering companies.

The MSc research project enables you to conduct a sustained, in-depth, original research related to complex theoretical arguments within the engineering industry. Students will be given a wide range of projects so that they can establish themselves as a subject specialist in a chosen field of study.

Studying this course means you'll have opportunities to be involved with organisations outside the University. Our excellent industrial links have developed over many years and throughout many countries. We also have strong academic links with TEI University in Athens, Greece with a good chance of student exchanges.
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Many engineering academic staff are engaged in a range of research and consultancy activities funded by the Research Councils, the European Union, the government, trade unions and industry. These activities ensure our staff are in touch with the latest industry thinking and bring best practice to your studies.
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Students are required to complete a total of eight taught modules, which comprise six core and two option modules. Please note that this is an indicative list of modules and is not intended as a definitive list.

Core modules

• Industrial Systems and Management

• Industrial Systems and Management

  This module gives you an understanding of the key operational elements in a typical manufacturing company. It considers what enables a company to function and successfully interact in an integrated environment.
  
  This includes hardware, software and management concepts that are important to the success of the company. You also look at a logical framework to:

  • identify and analyse particular problems in an engineering company; and
  • recommend feasible solutions with justifications.
  
   
• Information Systems

• Information Systems

  This module examines the role of financial accounting within organisations. It provides an overview of financial accounting systems in business and public sector organisations.

  It also covers:

  • the needs of first level managers for financial information and their role in supplying information;
  • accounting concepts and conventions; and
  • ways of measuring income and valuing assets.
  
   
• Research Project (MSc Only)

• Research Project (MSc Only)

  This module gives you the chance to develop your research, design development and problem solving skills. You improve your project management, analytical, experimental and computing skills while solving higher-order engineering problems.

  You study an area of interest in depth, demonstrating your understanding through a variety of means, including

  • a conference paper;
  • an oral presentation; and
  • a substantial dissertation.
  
   
• Advanced Materials Processing

• Advanced Materials Processing

  This module looks at:

  • the importance of modern materials in advanced manufacturing processes;
  • materials and processes that are available or in development; and
  • aspects of quality assurance related to advance materials.
  
   
• Integrated CAD/CAM Systems

• Integrated CAD/CAM Systems

  This module develops a fundamental understanding of 3D solid modelling and the core technologies of part modelling and parametric modelling. This will enable you to develop complex geometry, which defines many of today's engineering and product models.

  The module also develops an understanding of:

  • the state-of-the-art engineering philosophies of concurrent engineering, collaborative working and virtual product development; and
  • the role of contemporary engineering computing tools to support these.
  
   
• Total Quality

• Total Quality

  This module introduces students to:

  • the management and improvement of quality in products and processes; and
  • supporting tools and techniques.

  The module has a bias towards statistical methods, but we do not assume any prior knowledge of statistics.

  
   
• Mechatronics and Automation Systems

Option modules (choose two)

• Finance Resource Management

• Finance Resource Management

  This module examines the role of financial accounting within organisations. It provides an overview of financial accounting systems in business and public sector organisations.

  It also covers:

  • the needs of first level managers for financial information and their role in supplying information;
  • accounting concepts and conventions; and
  • ways of measuring income and valuing assets.
  
   
• Industrial Project Management

• Industrial Project Management

  This skills-based module teaches you how to:

  • undertake industrially relevant projects;
  • manage resources; and
  • keep track of project progression.

  You gain expertise in various project management techniques, such as PERT and CRP, as well as other suitable software systems.

  
   
• Advanced CAD/CAM Systems

• Advanced CAD/CAM Systems

  This module develops your understanding of the techniques required to extend the capabilities of a 3D solid modelling system by using the embedded application program interface available in many Windows compliant products.

  This enables you to develop an additional functional capability by accessing the modelling kernel within the CAD system and integrating functions across multiple systems (typically databases). This is achieved using Visual Basic as a programming language.

  
   
• Business Resources Management

• Business Resources Management

  This module familiarises you with the recent changes in the business environment, particularly in the expanded Europe. It explores:

  • the nature and impact of Japanese employment relations and human resource practices, both within Japan and worldwide;
  • the international dimensions to the employment relationship; and
  • how to analyse labour markets, resolve work-life tensions and evaluate ethical tensions.
  
   
• E-Engineering with Internet Applications

• E-Engineering with Internet Applications

  This module introduces you to the fundamentals of e-commerce and its potential benefits and impacts, particularly in different engineering companies. It explores:

  • how to use the internet to help meet engineering design and management objectives; and
  • the development of a web strategy for engineering companies.
  
   
• Systems Modelling and Simulation

• Systems Modelling and Simulation

  This module explores:

  • the use of computers to improve planning and control in industrial companies; and
  • the techniques and methods in computer discrete simulation modelling.

  You gain an understanding of the basics and benefits of discrete simulation modelling and how it can be applied to industry.

  
   

The Faculty of Science, Engineering and Computing teaches this course.

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Learn more about the facilities available to you as a student of this course.

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The range of events and lectures in the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Computing enhances your studies and adds an extra perspective to your learning.

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