Generic Learning Outcomes for Engineering Programmes

1
Generic Learning Outcomes for Engineering
Programmes

• Professor Fred Maillardet
• Chairman
• Engineering Professors Council
• Member of the ECUK Output Standards Working Group

2
Introduction

• Chartered Engineer
• BEng (Hons) plus Masters or Further Learning
• Integrated MEng Degree
• Incorporated Engineer
• Bachelors Degree in Engineering
• HNC/D or Foundation Degree plus Further Learning

3
Definitions

• Awareness.general familiarity, sometimes within
  a specific discipline.
• Knowledge.info that can be recalled
• Skills.learned attributes which can be applied
  almost automatically
• Understanding.capacity to use concepts
  creatively in analysis, problem solving, design,
  etc

4
General Learning Outcomes

• Knowledge and Understanding
• Intellectual Abilities
• Practical Skills
• General Transferable Skills
• Applicable to all registration categories and
  qualification levels

5
General Learning Outcomes

• Knowledge and Understanding
• Demonstrate.essential facts, concepts, theories
  and principles of their engineering discipline
  and its science and maths
• Appreciate.wider multidisciplinary engineering
  context and principles
• Appreciate.social, environmental, ethical,
  economic and commercial considerations affecting
  engineering judgement

6
General Learning Outcomes

• Intellectual Abilities
• Apply.quantitative science and engineering tools
  to analyse problems
• Demonstrate.creative and innovative ability to
  synthesise and formulate designs
• Comprehend.the broad picture and work at the
  appropriate level of detail

7
General Learning Outcomes

• Practical Skills
• Possess.via real experience in labs, workshops,
  industry, individual and group project work,
  design work, and/or use of computer software
• Evidence of group working and participation in a
  major project important

8
General Learning Outcomes

• General Transferable Skills
• Develop.suitable for a wide range of situations
• Include problem solving, communication, effective
  use of IT and info retrieval skills
• Include planning and improving own
  performance.lifelong learning/CPD

9
Specific Learning Outcomes

• Underpinning Science and Mathematics
• Engineering Analysis
• Design
• Economic, Social and Environmental context
• Engineering Practice
• Presented for Bachelors (Honours) level for CEng
  registration

10
Specific Learning Outcomes

• Underpinning Science and Mathematics - as defined
  by the relevant engineering institution
• Knowledge and understanding.scientific
  principles necessary in the discipline
• Knowledge and understanding. appropriate maths
  to apply methods, tools and notations
  proficiently
• Apply and integrate.other engineering
  disciplines into their own

11
Specific Learning Outcomes

• Engineering Analysis
• Understand.relevant engineering principles and
  how to apply them
• Identify, classify and describe.system
  performance thro analysis and modelling
• Apply.appropriate quantitative methods and
  computer software to solve problems
• Understand and apply.systems approach to
  engineering problems

12
Specific Learning Outcomes

• Design
• Define.problem and identify constraints
  including environmental and sustainability
  limitations, health and safety, and risk assesst
• Understandcustomer and user needs
• Identify and manage.cost drivers
• Use creativity.to establish solutions
• Ensure.fitness for purpose including production,
  operation, maintenance and disposal
• Manage.design process and evaluate outcomes

13
Specific Learning Outcomes

• Economic, Social and Environmental Context
• Knowledge and understanding. commercial and
  economic context of engineering
• Knowledge.management techniques
• Understand.sustainable development
• Aware.relevant legal requirements including
  personnel, health, safety and risk
• Understand.professional and ethical conduct

14
Specific Learning Outcomes

• Engineering Practice
• Knowledge.particular equipment, processes, and
  workshop and practical skills
• Understand.use of technical data
• Aware.IPR and contractual issues
• Understand.appropriate codes of practice
• Aware.quality issues
• Ability.work with technical uncertainty

15
MEng Enhancement

• General Learning Outcomes
• Increased level of complexity of problems
  encountered
• General Transferable Skills reflect
  .planning to anticipate change
  .more independent learning
  .greater exercise of leadership
  .ability to work and learn in
  unfamiliar situations

16
MEng Enhancement

• Specific Learning Outcomes
• More comprehensive understanding. including some
  external to engineering
• Awareness.new and emerging technologies
  including ICT
• More innovative design work
• Deeper evaluation of commercial risks
• Greater understanding of the range of engineering
  materials

17
IEng Programmes

• General Learning Outcomes as for CEng
• Specific Learning Outcomes reflect
• Greater weighting on knowledge and understanding
  of engineering practice and processes, and
  maintenance and management of current technology
• Less weighting on analysis
• Design weighted to meet defined needs

18
Further Learning

• Alternative Masters Degrees must
• meet the QAA descriptors for M level
• be acceptable to the relevant Engineering
  Institution
• satisfy the appropriate competence statements

19
Conclusions

• Embedding a focus on outcomes rather than input
• Reducing/eliminating multiple guidelines
• Helping to articulate realistic accreditation
  requirements
• Establishing a structured framework within which
  to debate Bologna

20
Questions

• What is your immediate reaction to the Output
  Standards for Accredited Academic Programmes?
• Do the advantages and disadvantages identified
  earlier still apply?
• How can we address the apparent disadvantages?

21
Actions?

• What action is now required from
• the ECUK, LTSN Engineering, EPC, etc.
• What action should be put in place
• with the Professional Bodies?
• with the HEIs?
• with employers?
• with potential students?
• with Governmental bodies?