Advanced Mechanical Engineering (MSc)

How will I be taught?

A wide range of teaching styles and mechanisms will be used to deliver the diverse material forming the curriculum of the programme. You will be expected to attend lectures and participate in tutorial classes. All students must complete 120 credits in Stage 1 in order to progress to the dissertation, for which they are allocated a supervisor from among the teaching staff.  Dissertation topics are normally chosen from a range of project titles proposed by academic staff, usually in areas of current research interest, although you are encouraged to put forward your own project ideas.

How will I be assessed?

Achievement of learning outcomes in the classroom based modules is assessed by University examinations set in January and May/June. Predominantly examination-based assessment will be deployed in eight modules (80 credits) taken in Stage 1 of the programme. The balance between examination and coursework depends upon the modules selected, with the equivalent of up to six credits being available in coursework elements in individual modules, in addition to two double module (40-credit) case studies.

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.

How will I be supported?

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

You will be allocated a personal tutor to assist you with both academic progress and pastoral support when required. The personal tutor will meet with you early on in the programme, and as required thereafter. For the dissertation stage, you will be allocated a supervisor in the relevant research field, whom you should expect to meet with regularly. In addition to the broad range of support services provided centrally by Cardiff University, students with specific needs will be supported as required. 

Feedback

You will receive written feedback for written coursework assignments, and oral feedback for assessed presentations.

What skills will I practise and develop?

A.     Knowledge and Understanding

Upon completion of the Programme you will be expected to be able to:

• Understand theories, scientific principles and concepts in the context of advanced mechanical engineering, thus supporting the effective application of engineering science, mathematics and other disciplines needed for advanced engineering problem-solving.
• Understand the limitations of current knowledge and technologies and the need to gain new knowledge through further study in response to new and emerging technologies and needs of society.
• Understand the role of individual and team-based project work in the context of professional mechanical 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.
• 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 advanced mechanical engineering.
• Be aware of and be able to respond to the responsibilities that professional engineers have to society.

B.     Intellectual Skills

Upon completion of the Programme you will be expected to be able to:

• Use knowledge and scientific, evidence-based methods in the assessment and solution of mechanical 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 using appropriate innovation and adaptation of methods.
• Systematically undertake a significant research project in an area of advanced mechanical engineering 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 group project work.
• Sustain a critical argument, both in writing and through presentations.

C.     Practical Skills

Upon completion of the Programme you will be expected to be able to:

• Use appropriate mathematical and experimental methods for the modelling and analysis of mechanical engineering problems.
• Exercise initiative and personal responsibility within the completion of a group project, taking account of constraints such as time, cost, health and safety as well as specific mechanical engineering issues.
• Successfully undertake a major project, taking account of constraints such as time, cost, health and safety as well as specific mechanical engineering issues.

D.     Transferable Skills

Upon completion of the Programme you will be expected to be able to:

• Manipulate, present and report data in a variety of ways.
• Manage resources and time.
• Communicate ideas, principles and theories effectively by 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.