Systems Engineering & Engineering Management

Mode of attendance: Full-time

Duration: 1.5 years (3 semesters)

Start dates: September & February

Course overview

This course addresses contemporary issues in engineering and engineering management. If you wish to study the systems approach to engineering management, and systems engineering applied to one of three subject areas: electronic, mechanical or mechatronic engineering, then this course will fulfill your requirements.

The following awards are available:

• MSc Systems Engineering (Mechatronic) & Engineering Management
• MSc Systems Engineering (Electronic) & Engineering Management
• MSc Systems Engineering (Mechanical) & Engineering Management

A special feature of the programme is a collaboration between the University of Bolton and South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences in Germany. You may opt to study the whole of your course in Bolton, for a single award, or may spend one semester of study in Germany and receive a dual award, one from each University.

About the course

This course focuses on systems engineering and engineering management, and offers three different system engineering pathways, these are electronic, mechanical and mechatronic engineering.

The 18 month, three semester course can be undertaken as either a single award or a dual award. The single award is studied entirely at the University of Bolton. In the dual award mode, you will normally study at the University of Bolton in semester 1 (October to February) and at South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences, Soest, Germany, in semester 2 (March to July). The third semester (October to February) will be assigned to a project, and this will normally be undertaken at the University of Bolton.

Entry to the course is also available in semester 2 (February) in the case of the dual award scheme, the second semester (to be spent at South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences, Soest Germany) will be undertaken during October to January.

In the dual award mode the successful student will obtain two separate MSc awards, one from each university. In the single award mode the student will receive the award of an MSc from the University of Bolton only.

What you will learn

The course consists of six core modules in the areas of control engineering and engineering management. In these modules you will learn to understand the theory, design and tools of expert systems and neural networks; modern control techniques; computational intelligence; entrepreneurial management processes; project management; quality control; innovation management; and research and presentation skills.

In addition, you will study two pathway specific modules in your chosen area of electronic, mechanical or mechatronic engineering, and complete an industrially-related project relevant to your chosen pathway.

What you will study

You are required to successfully complete 180 credits of study to gain the MSc. The course comprises eight taught modules, each with a credit value of 15, making a total of 120 taught credits. In each of the two taught semesters, you will study four modules. The third semester is dedicated to a 60 credit individual project. Where possible, the project will involve a work placement or an industrially-related project, based at one of the two universities. During the project phase it is the intention to find, where possible, some form of work experience for all of the students enrolled on the MSc.

Electronic pathway modules:

• Control Engineering: Intelligent Systems (EEM4010);
• Advanced Control Technology (EEM4015).

Engineering Management:

• Business in Engineering (EEM4013);
• Technical Publications and Presentations (EEM4014);
• Project Management (EEM4017);
• Integrated Management (EEM4020).

Electronic Engineering:

• Microprocessor-based Systems (EEM4016) or Microcontrollers (AMI4655);
• Signal Processing (EEM4011) or Digital Signal Processing (AMI4622).
• Project (EEM5001).

Mechanical pathway modules:

• Control Engineering: Intelligent Systems (EEM4010);
• Advanced Control Technology (EEM4015).

Engineering Management:

• Business in Engineering (EEM4013);
• Technical Publications and Presentations (EEM4014);
• Project Management (EEM4017);
• Integrated Management (EEM4020).

Mechanical Engineering:

• Monitoring of Mechanical Systems (EEM4018);
• Advanced Production Engineering (EEM4019).
• Project (EEM5001).

Mechatronic pathway modules

Control Engineering:

• Intelligent Systems (EEM4010);
• Advanced Control Technology (EEM4015).

Engineering Management:

• Business in Engineering (EEM4013);
• Technical Publications and Presentations (EEM4014);
• Project Management (EEM4017);
• Integrated Management (EEM4020).

Electronic Engineering:

• Microprocessor-based Systems (EEM4016) or Microcontrollers (AMI4655).

Mechanical Engineering:

• Advanced Production Engineering (EEM4019).
• Project (EEM5001).

Please see below for a brief description of each module.

Intelligent Systems (EEM4010)
Aim: to understand the theory, design, tools and shells of real-time expert systems and neural networks for research projects and applications in industry.

Advanced Control Technology (EEM4015)
Aim: to understand modern control techniques and the basic principles of Computational Intelligence often called Soft Computing using neural networks and fuzzy systems.

Business in Engineering (EEM4013)
Aim: to enable the student to participate in entrepreneurial management processes concerning the setting of targets, planning and marketing. This will be based on a system-theoretical understanding of industry and companies and the ability to create and use models for analysis and solving of problems.

Technical Publications and Presentations (EEM4014)
Aim: to enable the student to research, evaluate and present information in a variety of formats.

Project Management (EEM4017)
Aim: to enable the student to research, evaluate and present information in a variety of formats.

Project Management (EEM4017)
Aim: to enable the student to plan, control and manage projects and project environments.

Integrated Management (EEM4020)
Aim: to enable the student to understand and use quality control and innovation management systems.

Microprocessor-based Systems (EEM4016) or Microcontrollers (AMI4655)
Aim: to enable the student to select and use appropriate microprocessor hardware and software to solve real-time embedded system monitoring and control design problems.

Signal Processing (EEM4011) or Digital Signal Processing (AMI4622)
Aim: to enable the student to have a practical and theoretical knowledge of digital signal processing to the student. Topics include techniques for evaluating the performance of discrete time systems in the time and frequency domain.

Monitoring of Mechanical Systems (EEM4018)
Aim: to enable the student to obtain a practical and theoretical knowledge of assessing and monitoring mechanical systems by aid of digital signal processing.

Advanced Production Engineering (EEM4019)
Aim: to enable the student to increase their skills in management and control of the production environment and in areas related to production system design and improvement.

Project (EEM5001)
Aim: to enable the student to integrate their learning on the course to an industrially related project. The project chosen will be dependent on the student’s pathway subject.

Special features

• Three different system engineering pathways (electronic, mechanical, mechatronic).
• Opportunity to study in Germany for one semester and receive a dual award.
• Opportunity for a work placement and/or industrially-based project.

Careers and professional development

Successful completion of this course will help you progress to a management role in an engineering-based organisation, and provide you with an in depth understanding of systems engineering in whichever of the three disciplines you choose. The course offers you opportunity to undertake a work placement, or industrially-based project, which gives valuable work experience, especially if you are progressing directly from an undergraduate programme.

In addition to developing your technical knowledge and experience, this programme will give you greater confidence in your transferable and personal skills. These include communication and team working, problem solving, logical thinking and analytical skills; all of which will be invaluable for your career success.

On completion of your MSc you will also become a member of the University’s alumni association. You can be a lifelong member of the University's community, able to access careers information and guidance, as well as the University's library and other facilities.

Professional recognition

The programme is not accredited by any particular professional institution in the UK. However, successful students may include the qualification in any individual applications they make to professional bodies (e.g. the IET).

The dual award is accredited by ZEvA (Zentrale Evaluations-und Akkreditierungsagentur) in Germany.

Additional costs

Students opting for the dual award will spend their second semester at South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences, thus there will be some additional travel and living costs.

How to apply

Please apply directly to the University of Bolton using the standard university application form.

Please visit our 'how to apply for a taught postgraduate course' web page for details.

Entry requirements

You should have an honours degree (or equivalent) in an engineering-related subject.

Your application will also be considered if you have alternative equivalent qualifications with extensive relevant work experience.

If you have not studied your previous qualifications in English a TOEFL score of at least 575 (written)/230 (computer-based) or an academic IELTS score of at least 6.5 will be required.

Further Information

For an informal discussion and further details about the course please contact:

Frank Mackin (Programme Leader)
Tel: +44 (0)1204 903847
E-mail: F.Mackin@bolton.ac.uk

Linda Holland (Programme Administrator)
Tel: +44 (0)1204 903020
Email:L.E.Holland@bolton.ac.uk

For general information about the University and how to apply please contact:

Enquiry Team (Student Services)
Tel: +44 (0)1204 903903
Email: enquiries@bolton.ac.uk