Smart Manufacturing Systems - with or without Applied Research

Smart manufacturing is a rapidly developing field of study within both academia and industry. This course provides professionals with expert, multi-discipline knowledge in the principles and application of smart manufacturing, set within the context of the global business environment and global business operations.

Five core technologies that are essential to raise the development of manufacturing and productivity to the levels required in the next 50 years are: artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, automation, internet of things (IoT), and industrial digital technologies (IDTs).

You will be equipped with expert knowledge across multiple disciplines in the underlying science and application of manufacturing and mechanical engineering, together with the computing topics of intelligent data analytics and robotics.

There is currently an extensive demand for engineering graduates, particularly those with the high-level skills to develop and operate smart factories, which will be provided by this course. Alternatively, you may progress to further study at PhD level.

For further course details please see "Course Web Page".

Students will study the following modules:
Year 1 (ALL compulsory):
BUS700 - The Global Business in Context
MEC702 - Advanced Manufacturing and Industrial Robotics
MEC703 - Smart Factories

Year 2 (ALL compulsory):
COM735 - Business Intelligence and Analytics
COM738 - Data Science Foundations
MEC704 - Computer Aided Engineering and Manufacturing

Year 2/3 (Compulsory):
COM865 - Masters Project (Research)

We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.

Applicants must:
(a) have gained:

(i) a second class honours degree or better in the subject area of Mechanical Engineering, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related discipline, from a university of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, or from a recognised national awarding body, or from an institution of another country which has been recognised as being of an equivalent standard; or

(ii) an equivalent standard (normally 50%) in a Graduate Diploma, Graduate Certificate, Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma or an approved alternative qualification and the qualification must be in the subject area of Mechanical Engineering, Electrical\Electronic Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related discipline

and

(b) provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English (GCSE grade C or equivalent).

In exceptional circumstances, as an alternative to (a) (i) or (a) (ii) and/or (b), where an individual has substantial and significant experiential learning, a portfolio of written evidence demonstrating the meeting of graduate qualities (including subject-specific outcomes, as determined by the Course Committee) may be considered as an alternative entrance route. Evidence used to demonstrate graduate qualities may not be used for exemption against modules within the programme.

Your Application
Application is through the University's online application system (see "Application Weblink").

Full-Time/Part-Time. Applied Research available full-time only.

Attendance
This is a two-years+ part-time programme, with the taught modules delivered across the first two semesters during each of the first two years. Three taught modules are normally completed in each of the first two years. Each lecture will be hosted at the Magee campus. The project is normally completed in the third year, but may be 'fast-tracked' in year 2 (if desired).

Students are expected to attend all classes associated with the programme and be punctual and regular in attendance.

A student who has not been in attendance for more than three days through illness or other cause must notify immediately the Course Director. The student shall state the reasons for the absence and whether it is likely to be prolonged. Where the absence is for a period of more than five working days, and is caused by illness which may affect their studies, the student shall provide appropriate medical certification in accordance with the General Regulations for Students.

Students who are absent without good cause for a substantial proportion of classes may be required to discontinue studies, in accordance with the General Regulations for Students.

Start Date: September 2024

Career options
Career options
Smart Manufacturing is a rapidly developing field of study within both academia and industry. The MSc Smart Manufacturing Systems aims to prepare students for a successful career as a modern manufacturing engineer where Industry 4.0 machine-to-machine (M2M) communication (products talk to machines) is producing large amounts of collected data, where analytics now plays a key role in understanding and modelling process improvements, alongside competitive demands within a global business context. Hence, there is a need for skills in advanced manufacturing processes, industrial robotics, intelligent automation, factory modelling and simulation, zero defect manufacturing with data analytics, embedded sensing and M2M, and commercial awareness. These types of skills are typically in high demand in manufacturing industries from plastics, semiconductor to construction, as the sectors moves to Industry 4.0.

This programme of study is firmly based under the STEM umbrella and additionally due to the nature of the skills and knowledge developed during the programme, resulting graduates will have the potential to be employed across a spectrum of industries which will address the skills shortage in smart manufacturing capabilities.

Students from this course would be eligible to directly enter graduate employment or proceed to further study at PhD level. There is currently an extensive demand for engineering graduates, particularly those with the high-level skills to develop and operate smart factories, which will be provided by this course.