Product Design (with an industrial placement year)
(BA) Product Design (with an industrial placement year)
Entry for 2024
FHEQ level
This course is set at Level 6 in the national Framework for Higher Education Qualifications.
Course learning outcomes
A1. Apply core of scientific and engineering principles appropriate for product design, and the ability to apply them to analyse key engineering processes
A2. the characteristics of particular materials, components, equipment and manufacturing methods appropriate for product design
A3. the critical, contextual, historical, conceptual and ethical dimensions of design
A4. customer and user functional needs and the importance of form considerations such as aesthetics and ergonomics
A5. state of the art design methods and tools including user-centred and experience based approaches
A6. management and business practices that may be used to achieve design objectives
A7. IPR, including patent application and nature of associated legal and contractual issues
A8. the framework of relevant legal requirements governing engineering-related activities, including health, safety, and risk assessment issues
B1. apply and integrate knowledge and understanding of other engineering and non-engineering disciplines to support design activities
B2. identify, classify and describe the performance of products, systems and components through the use of analytical methods and modelling techniques
B3. apply quantitative methods, relevant computer software and a systems approach to design problem solving
B4. use creativity to generate ideas, concepts, proposals and solutions independently and collaboratively, in response to set briefs and as self-initiated activity
B5. work with technical uncertainty, limited or contradictory information, being able to make value judgments in the solution of unfamiliar design problems
B6. identify and manage cost drivers within the context of product design
B7. ensure fitness for purpose for all aspects of the product life cycle, i.e. manufacture, operation, maintenance, disposal and/or recycling
B8. make social and environmental evaluations and take appropriate action
B9. apply standard management techniques to product design projects; planning and allocating resources and evaluating outcomes, undertaking team roles
C1. demonstrate engineering workshop and laboratory skills allied to product design
C2. plan, execute and undertake critical analysis of the results of practical and/or simulation tests of design solutions
C3. provide visualisations such as physical prototypes or models, or computer models or renderings of a product, system, component or process
C4. develop ideas through to outcomes in the form of specifications and products, prototypes, models technical drawings or computer generated images, as appropriate
D1. analyse information and experiences, formulate independent judgments, and articulate reasoned arguments through reflection, review and evaluation
D2. be able to study independently, set goals, manage their own workload and meet deadlines
D3. anticipate and accommodate change, and work within contexts of ambiguity, uncertainty and unfamiliarity
D4. identify personal strengths and needs, and reflect on personal development
D5. articulate ideas and information comprehensibly to audiences in a range of situations; employing appropriate communication and information technologies, visual, oral and written formats
D6. be able to research, source, select, evaluate, use and reference information from a variety of sources including technical literature
Full-time course composition
Please note that the University will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver courses and modules in accordance with the descriptions set out here. However, the University keeps its courses and modules under review with the aim of enhancing quality. Some changes may therefore be made to the form or content of courses or modules shown as part of the normal process of curriculum management.
The University reserves the right to make changes to the contents or methods of delivery of, or to discontinue, merge or combine modules, if such action is reasonably considered necessary by the University. If there are not sufficient student numbers to make a module viable, the University reserves the right to cancel such a module. If the University withdraws or discontinues a module, it will use its reasonable endeavours to provide a suitable alternative module.