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Dip (PD) Materials Science for Innovative Engineering

Academic Year 2017/18

A programme specification is required for any programme on which a student may be registered. All programmes of the University are subject to the University's Quality Assurance and Enhancement processes as set out in the DASA Policies and Procedures Manual.

Programme Title

Dip (PD) Materials Science for Innovative Engineering

Final Award
(exit route if applicable for Postgraduate Taught Programmes)

Postgraduate Diploma

Programme Code

PHY-PD-MI

UCAS Code

JACS Code

F200 (DESCR) 100

Criteria for Admissions

2(ii) UK honours-equivalent first degree in: Physics, Chemistry, Engineering, or a related discipline. Applicants with non-standard qualifications will be considered on an individual basis, based on the recognition of prior learning.

ATAS Clearance Required

Yes

Health Check Required

No

Portfolio Required

Interview Required

Mode of Study

Part Time

Type of Programme

Postgraduate

Length of Programme

2 Academic Year(s)

Total Credits for Programme

120

Exit Awards available

INSTITUTE INFORMATION

Awarding Institution/Body

Queen's University Belfast

Teaching Institution

Queen's University Belfast

School/Department

Mathematics & Physics

Framework for Higher Education Qualification Level 
www.qaa.ac.uk

Level 7

QAA Benchmark Group
www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements

Materials (2008)

Accreditations (PSRB)

REGULATION INFORMATION

Does the Programme have any approved exemptions from the University General Regulations
(Please see General Regulations)

N/A

Programme Specific Regulations

Examinations
Assessment criteria are linked to the learning outcomes for each module. A range of assessment instruments are used including laboratory/simulation-based assignments, individual projects, practical exams, presentations, written coursework and unseen written exams.
The pass mark for all taught modules is 50%. Students are normally permitted one further attempt to pass a failed module with the mark used in calculating the final award capped at 50%.
Students who, at the first attempt, have failed one module, will be referred to the Pastoral Care Committee.
Progression
Students are normally only allowed two attempts at passing a module. To progress to the MSc the students have to pass 120 CATS worth of modules. Students who, at the first attempt, have failed taught modules with a combined value greater than 40 CATS points will normally not be permitted to proceed to the MSc.
Awards
Postgraduate Diploma awards will be made in accordance with the following mark scale, as set out in the University’s Study Regulations for Postgraduate Taught Programmes:
• 70+ Pass with distinction
• 60+ Pass with commendation
• 50+ Pass
• Below 50 Fail
Students, who have achieved at least 60 CATS points, may opt to be considered for the award of the Postgraduate Certificate.

Students with protected characteristics

N/A

Are students subject to Fitness to Practise Regulations

(Please see General Regulations)

No

EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF PROGRAMME

On completion of the programme the student will be able to:

understand the principal facts, theories and characterisation methods associated with materials science.

independently critically evaluate written information in specialist areas of materials science.

be self-directed and act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional level.

be capable of presenting work in written form at a professional level.

be directly employable in a considerable range of careers within materials based industries, or if already employed within industry have developed capability and knowledge that will enhance work performance.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Learning Outcomes: Cognitive Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Learn independently.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Because of the distance learning method of deliver, students will by necessity have to learn independently, under guidance, to succeed in this course. This will also require ability to structure and organise their own work, so that the assessment of these skills are implicit in all forms of assessment, though they are not explicitly measured

Methods of Assessment

The Materials Science Case Study requires the students to analyse problems and situations, using the knowledge gained in the other modules, as well as previous learning situations, to achieve this.

Carry out structured organisation of their own work.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Because of the distance learning method of deliver, students will by necessity have to learn independently, under guidance, to succeed in this course. This will also require ability to structure and organise their own work, so that the assessment of these skills are implicit in all forms of assessment, though they are not explicitly measured

Methods of Assessment

The Materials Science Case Study requires the students to analyse problems and situations, using the knowledge gained in the other modules, as well as previous learning situations, to achieve this.

Critically analyse problems and situations.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Because of the distance learning method of deliver, students will by necessity have to learn independently, under guidance, to succeed in this course. This will also require ability to structure and organise their own work, so that the assessment of these skills are implicit in all forms of assessment, though they are not explicitly measured

Methods of Assessment

The Materials Science Case Study requires the students to analyse problems and situations, using the knowledge gained in the other modules, as well as previous learning situations, to achieve this.

Combine their knowledge and understanding both gained in this course and from previous learning situations, to solve a variety of physical and engineering sciences problems.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Because of the distance learning method of deliver, students will by necessity have to learn independently, under guidance, to succeed in this course. This will also require ability to structure and organise their own work, so that the assessment of these skills are implicit in all forms of assessment, though they are not explicitly measured

Methods of Assessment

The Materials Science Case Study requires the students to analyse problems and situations, using the knowledge gained in the other modules, as well as previous learning situations, to achieve this.

Learning Outcomes: Transferable Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Organisation and time-management.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The distance learning aspect of this programme means that organisation and time-management become even more important for successful completion of the course than a more traditional course. The participation in the on-line discussions and completion of the assignments require both presentation skills and ability to work to deadlines. The on-line discussions also develop the students’ ability to work with others, as does the Materials Science Case Study module.

Methods of Assessment

Problem solving skills form part of all modules and are generally assessed in both assignments and formal examinations.

Presentation skills, oral and written.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The distance learning aspect of this programme means that organisation and time-management become even more important for successful completion of the course than a more traditional course. The participation in the on-line discussions and completion of the assignments require both presentation skills and ability to work to deadlines. The on-line discussions also develop the students’ ability to work with others, as does the Materials Science Case Study module.

Methods of Assessment

Problem solving skills form part of all modules and are generally assessed in both assignments and formal examinations.

Ability to meet deadlines.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The distance learning aspect of this programme means that organisation and time-management become even more important for successful completion of the course than a more traditional course. The participation in the on-line discussions and completion of the assignments require both presentation skills and ability to work to deadlines. The on-line discussions also develop the students’ ability to work with others, as does the Materials Science Case Study module.

Methods of Assessment

Problem solving skills form part of all modules and are generally assessed in both assignments and formal examinations.

Ability to work with and for others, including as part of a team.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The distance learning aspect of this programme means that organisation and time-management become even more important for successful completion of the course than a more traditional course. The participation in the on-line discussions and completion of the assignments require both presentation skills and ability to work to deadlines. The on-line discussions also develop the students’ ability to work with others, as does the Materials Science Case Study module.

Methods of Assessment

Problem solving skills form part of all modules and are generally assessed in both assignments and formal examinations.

Problem solving skills

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The distance learning aspect of this programme means that organisation and time-management become even more important for successful completion of the course than a more traditional course. The participation in the on-line discussions and completion of the assignments require both presentation skills and ability to work to deadlines. The on-line discussions also develop the students’ ability to work with others, as does the Materials Science Case Study module.

Methods of Assessment

Problem solving skills form part of all modules and are generally assessed in both assignments and formal examinations.

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge & Understanding

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

The underpinning principles of materials science.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

As this programme is delivered through a web-based distance learning method the core of the knowledge and understanding content will be presented in structured notes on-line. To supplement this there will be assignments in all modules as well as on-line discussions.

Methods of Assessment

There will be assignments in all modules as well as on-line discussions. These will both form part of the assessment of the modules, together with formal examinations for most modules. For project work the knowledge and understanding will be assessed through formal written reports, oral presentations and continual assessment.

Material characterisation techniques.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

As this programme is delivered through a web-based distance learning method the core of the knowledge and understanding content will be presented in structured notes on-line. To supplement this there will be assignments in all modules as well as on-line discussions.

Methods of Assessment

There will be assignments in all modules as well as on-line discussions. These will both form part of the assessment of the modules, together with formal examinations for most modules. For project work the knowledge and understanding will be assessed through formal written reports, oral presentations and continual assessment.

Material selection, including knowledge of interaction between composition, microstructure and properties of materials.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

As this programme is delivered through a web-based distance learning method the core of the knowledge and understanding content will be presented in structured notes on-line. To supplement this there will be assignments in all modules as well as on-line discussions.

Methods of Assessment

There will be assignments in all modules as well as on-line discussions. These will both form part of the assessment of the modules, together with formal examinations for most modules. For project work the knowledge and understanding will be assessed through formal written reports, oral presentations and continual assessment.

At least one specific area of material science, depending on choice of module.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

As this programme is delivered through a web-based distance learning method the core of the knowledge and understanding content will be presented in structured notes on-line. To supplement this there will be assignments in all modules as well as on-line discussions.

Methods of Assessment

There will be assignments in all modules as well as on-line discussions. These will both form part of the assessment of the modules, together with formal examinations for most modules. For project work the knowledge and understanding will be assessed through formal written reports, oral presentations and continual assessment.

Learning Outcomes: Subject Specific

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Select and critically discuss the appropriate materials for an engineering application, taking into account final materials properties and production methods.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

As this programme is delivered through a web-based distance learning method the core of the content will be presented in structured notes on-line, which includes subject specific skills.

Methods of Assessment

There will be assignments in all modules as well as on-line discussions. These will both form part of the assessment of the modules, together with formal examinations for most modules. The ability to plan and carry out research tasks will be developed and assessed to some extent in the Materials Science Case Study.

Choose the appropriate materials characterisation methods for a materials science / engineering problem.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

As this programme is delivered through a web-based distance learning method the core of the content will be presented in structured notes on-line, which includes subject specific skills.

Methods of Assessment

There will be assignments in all modules as well as on-line discussions. These will both form part of the assessment of the modules, together with formal examinations for most modules. The ability to plan and carry out research tasks will be developed and assessed to some extent in the Materials Science Case Study.

Interpret and critically analyse data from materials characterisation techniques.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

As this programme is delivered through a web-based distance learning method the core of the content will be presented in structured notes on-line, which includes subject specific skills.

Methods of Assessment

There will be assignments in all modules as well as on-line discussions. These will both form part of the assessment of the modules, together with formal examinations for most modules. The ability to plan and carry out research tasks will be developed and assessed to some extent in the Materials Science Case Study.

MODULE INFORMATION

Programme Requirements

Module Title

Module Code

Level/ stage

Credits

Availability

Duration

Pre-requisite

 

Assessment

 

 

 

 

S1

S2

 

 

Core

Option

Coursework %

Practical %

Examination %

Materials Science Case Study

PHY9033

70

10

YES

2 weeks

N

YES

100%

0%

0%

Fundamentals of Materials Science

PHY9031

70

30

YES

12 weeks

N

YES

50%

0%

50%

Materials Characterisation

PHY9032

70

20

YES

10 weeks

N

YES

50%

0%

50%

Magnetic & Electronic Materials

PHY9034

70

20

YES

YES

8 weeks

N

YES

50%

0%

50%

Optical and Plasmonic materials

PHY9035

70

20

YES

YES

8 weeks

N

YES

50%

0%

50%

Electron Microscopy and Scanning Probe Microscopy

PHY9036

70

20

YES

YES

8 weeks

N

YES

50%

0%

50%

Thin Film Techniques and Sensor Technology

PHY9037

70

20

YES

YES

8 weeks

N

YES

50%

0%

50%

Materials modelling and simulation

PHY9038

70

20

YES

8 weeks

N

YES

100%

0%

0%

Notes

Students taking the PG Dip in Materials Science must register for and pursue a course of study equivalent to 120 CATS points, all at level M. The programme is offered as a two year part-time web-delivered distance learning course. The modules listed are offered as part of this programme.
In the first year the students take the three compulsory modules PHY9031, PHY9032 and PHY9033. In the second year students take three optional modules of 20 CATS points each. It is also possible to include one level M 20 CATS points module from another physical science or engineering programme instead of one optional module.
It should be a distance learning case study using simulated or theoretically obtained data supplemented with experimental data provided by the module coordinator.
It should be noted that two options exist for taking the module PHY9033 Materials Science Case Study:
A residential case study using the materials characterization facilities in the School to obtain experimental data
A distance learning case study using simulated or theoretically obtained data supplemented with experimental data provided by the module coordinator