UNIVERSITY of Bradfordschool of Engineering, Design and Technologyprogramme/Course Title

UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORDSchool of Engineering, Design and TechnologyProgramme/course title: MSc Manufacturing Management

Introduction

The effective management of manufacturing operations and technology is fundamental to the economic and social prosperity of the global economy. Manufacturing is a creative activity whose outputs fulfil the material needs of humankind by bring into existence the artefacts and systems that characterise modern society. This is achieved through an integrated understanding of modern production technologies and contemporary management principles, combined with an appreciation of the entire product life cycle, from concept to customer, through to decommissioning and disposal.

Your studies at Bradford should be viewed as a preparation for life aimed at acquiring an in-depth understanding of advanced technical principles, analytical tools, and competence in their application, together with a wide range of management, personal and professional skills. The postgraduate MSc programme in Manufacturing Management seeks to produce graduates who have the skills and knowledge needed to progress rapidly to professional positions of responsibility in manufacturing related enterprises with a minimum of additional training. Leadership in manufacturing increasingly requires the ability to synthesise knowledge from across subject boundaries to produce innovative solutions to challenging real-world problems, and the course is designed to provide such a multi-disciplinary perspective.

The School places emphasis on both teaching and research, believing them to be complementary in nature, enhancing both the student experience, and ensuring the academic currency of the programme. We have particular research strengths in automotive engineering (especially component design and manufacturing quality); materials engineering (including the creation of complex components from powders, composites, and polymers); computer modelling and design (creation, virtual testing, and rapid prototyping). We conduct this research jointly with many companies including Ford, Jaguar, Metaldyne, Netlon, Cummings, Sulzer and Honda. Outside guest speakers from leading manufacturing companies have also featured in our courses, including Boeing and Airbus. Such on going industrial contact ensures the relevance of our MSc provision.

With reference to learning and teaching, the School aims to prepare postgraduates for challenging careers in industry, commerce and the public sector, or to create new enterprises, through their own personal initiative and ambition.

The School seeks to achieve this by:

•  Delivering a range of focussed programmes of study with a balance of subject content appropriate to the targeted learning outcomes.

•  Providing a supportive, structured environment in which students are encouraged to develop independent learning skills.

•  Developing subject knowledge and understanding of relevant academic disciplines supported by enhanced personal transferable skills.

•  Promoting educational opportunities for ethnic minority, mature and alternatively qualified students, as well as for traditionally qualified students.

Programme Aims

The aim of the MSc in Manufacturing Management is to educate graduates to be able to:

A1 Apply advanced theoretical knowledge, concepts and skills to the design and management of manufacturing systems.

A2 Adopt a multi-disciplinary perspective and integrate knowledge from difference disciplines to resolve complex management and technological challenges associated with manufacturing.

A3 Undertake research associated with manufacturing, and to carry out independently, a research project.

Programme Learning Outcomes

Learning outcomes indicate what a graduate should know and understand, and be able to do on successful completion of one of the programmes. The management of manufacturing is an interactive process usually involving data collection, planning, analysis, design, economic evaluation, construction, operation and maintenance and decommissioning with a view to minimising environmental impact. As such, you will develop the following:

Knowledge and Understanding

LO1 Advanced concepts, principles and theories relevant to the context of the management of manufacturing in modern industrial society.

LO2 Methods and ideas associated with advanced manufacturing technology and materials processing.

LO3 Application of techniques in risk management, engineering and quality management, including; six sigma, manufacturing planning & control, knowledge management, and modelling and simulation.

LO4 The concepts and issues associated with managing the operations and supply chain of complex production systems.

LO5 Appreciation of the approaches to resolving multi-disciplinary problems.

LO6 Intellectual Skills

LO7 Apply technological and management principles and inter-personal skills to the critical analysis of multi-disciplinary problems in order to create innovative solutions to non-routine problems.

LO8 Identify an area for further detailed investigation, design and experimental programme, apply research skills to critically evaluate and interpret newly developed data.

LO9 Integrate technological and management principles to understand and apply insight to the solution of real problems.

LO10 Plan, conduct and report a programme of original research.

LO11 Integrate and evaluate information from a variety of sources.

LO12 Take holistic approach in solving problems and designing systems, applying professional judgements to balance risks, cost, benefits, safety, reliability and environmental impact.

Practical Skills

LO13 Use numerical methods and software for analysing problems.

LO14 Selection and application of principles and data collection & manipulation methods to support problem solving.

LO15 Plan, undertake and report an investigation.

LO16 Apply standard laboratory methods to obtain accurate data.

LO17 An ability to balance sometimes conflicting, ambiguous and/or incomplete aspects encountered in creative problem solving and design.

LO18 Specify, plan, undertake and report an investigation and associated methodologies via exposure to research activities.

General Transferable Skills

L19 Work in groups in order to meet shared objectives.

L20 Use problem solving strategies to develop, monitor and update a plan for the solution of both technical and personnel contributions to meeting organisational need.

L21 Use problem-solving strategies to develop innovative solutions.

L22 Learn independently in familiar and unfamiliar situations with open mindedness and in the spirit of critical enquiry.

L23 Learn effectively for the purpose of continuing professional development and in a wider context throughout their career.

Curriculum

The course structure is shown in the table at the end of this document. The curriculum has two principal strands via which the learning outcomes are delivered:

Manufacturing: Provides a detailed understanding of key technologies, materials and techniques employed in modern manufacturing and production systems.

Management: Develops a comprehensive appreciation of management and business methods relevant to a contemporary manufacturing business environment.

The course has two stages: the taught course stage (which takes up most of the first two semesters) and the project/dissertation stage. An important part of the Master’s research project takes place over the summer and this form the basis of your Master's dissertation. Courses are organised on a modular basis. Modules are usually examined or assessed at the end of the semester in which they are taught.

The research project/dissertation is usually between 10,000 and 15,000 words and is written on a topic agreed in advance with your Supervisor. It is normally submitted a year after starting the course. Progress to the dissertation stage is dependent upon your performance in the semester 1 and 2 module assessments and examinations. Students who successfully complete their semester 1 and 2 studies will be eligible for the award of Postgraduate Diploma.

Master’s Degree (MSc Manufacturing Management)

Notes to the Curriculum

No more than 20 credits of Level 3 modules may be taken.

The curriculum may change, subject to the University's course approval, monitoring and review procedures.

In the event that a student has already undertaken one of the core modules listed above as part of a University of Bradford Undergraduate course, in consultation with the Director of Study, an alternative module(s) will be selected from the module catalogue of the School of Engineering, Design and Technology.

Teaching and Assessment Strategies

You will experience a wide range of teaching and learning environments. Concepts, principles and theories are explored in formal lectures, practised in associated seminars. Cognitive and personal skills are developed in more open-ended problem solving and design projects, often tackled by working in small groups supported by members of academic staff. Project work is used to bring various aspects of your course together so that you may develop a holistic appreciation of the subject. Methods of Assessment are similarly varied and your progress will be evaluated using a mix of formal examinations, various technical reports, essays, oral presentations and the dissertation or project report.

Assessment Regulations

This Programme conforms to the standard University Assessment Regulations for Postgraduate Programmes which are available at the following link:

http://www.bradford.ac.uk/media/AcademicQualityUnit/Documents/RegulationsOrdinances/Reg-governing-postgrad-award.pdf

Details of the exceptions to these regulations in this programme are given below:

To obtain an accredited MSc degree you must

• Have 160 credits at 50% and at least 40% in the other 20 credits,

• Have gained at least 50% in your MSc Project (ENG4013Z) at the first attempt.

If you attain an overall weighted average of at least 70.0% at the initial attempt, including at least 70.0% at the initial attempt in your dissertation, you will be eligible for the award of the Degree of Master with Distinction. Similarly, for an overall weighted average at least 60% at the initial attempt and at least 60% at your initial attempt at your dissertation, you will be eligible for the award of the Degree of Masters with Merit.

Admission Requirements

The University welcomes applications from all potential students regardless of their previous academic experience; offers are made following detailed consideration of each individual application. Most important in the decision to offer a place is our assessment of a candidate’s potential to benefit from their studies and of their ability to succeed on this particular programme. Entrance requirements for each programme will vary but consideration of your application will be based on a combination of your formal academic qualifications and other relevant experience.

If you have prior certificated learning or professional experience which may be equivalent to parts of this programme, the University has procedures to evaluate this learning in order to provide you with exemptions from specified modules contained within the curriculum. Please talk to us if you do not fit the standard pattern of entry qualifications.

The University of Bradford has always welcomed applications from disabled students, and these will be considered on the same academic grounds as are applied to all applicants. If you have some form of disability you may wish to contact the programme leader before you apply.

Normal requirements are:

Applicants are expected to hold a minimum of a lower second-class honours degree. The course is designed for graduates from a wide range of engineering backgrounds seeking a future career as project managers or related professional roles. Personal motivation and the commitment to succeed are key attributes in the admissions process and the School treats each application on an individual basis. Mature applicants with educational qualifications other than an Honours degree are encouraged and considered on an individual basis.

All students must satisfy the English language requirements of the University for admission, see

http://www.bradford.ac.uk/international/before-you-apply/english-language-requirements

If your first language is not English, you will have to pass a test in English approved by the University before you can be admitted. The following qualifications are acceptable as satisfying this requirement. Both are available internationally.

• The International English Language Testing Service Test (IELTS) administered by the British Council is the test which is preferred by the University. You will need to achieve an Overall Band of at least 6, with at least 5.5 in each of the four sub-tests. Testing facilities are available at most British Council overseas offices. When you take your test, you should ask for a copy of your Test Report Form to be sent to the University.

• The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) administered by the Educational Testing Service, Princeton, New Jersey, 08540, USA. You will need to score at least 550 (220 on the computer-based test). If you take this test, you should enter the University’s code 0828, on your answer sheet.

Should you not be able to offer these grades then you should contact the Admissions Tutor for further advice.

Learning Resources

The JB Priestley Library on the city campus and our specialist libraries in the School of Health Studies and the School of Management provide a wide range of printed and electronic resources to support your studies. We offer quiet study space if you want to work on your own, and group study areas for the times when you need to discuss work with fellow students. Subject librarians for each School provide training sessions and individual guidance in finding the information you need for your assignment, and will help you organise your references properly.

Student PC clusters can be found in all our libraries and elsewhere on the campus. Many of these are open 24/7. You can also use the University's wireless network to access the internet from your own laptop. Most of our online journals are available on the internet (both on and off campus), and you can also access your University email account, personal information and course-related materials this way.