Objectives* Suited to someone who enjoys design and is interested in state of the art prototyping techniques. * This programme develops skills that are very attractive to industry. * Highly vocational programme that brings together design, prototyping technology and commercial and environmental management * A wide range of employment opportunities including teaching following a Postgraduate Certificate in Education.
Entry requirementsEntry requirements * Normally 240 UCAS Tariff points from a minimum of two subjects at Advanced Level (or equivalent) * And * Normally Five GCSE's at grade C or above (or equivalent), including English and Maths. However, we are also keen to talk to mature students (21+) who have relevant industry experience and/or relevant training but who do not meet the above formal qualifications. * BTEC Diploma/Certificate, Advanced VCE(s), Advanced GNVQ, Scottish Higher and Irish Leaving Certificate.
Academic titleBSc Design and Prototyping Technology
Course descriptionBSc Design and Prototyping Technology
Programme
This programme has been developed to meet the industry requirements for design, prototyping technology and engineering manufacture. The focus includes areas such as how to use design software tools, prototyping equipment and environmental technology for commercial design applications. The programme has been put together with the real world in mind and typical subject areas include:
* Computer Aided Design
* Rapid Prototyping
* Materials Selection
* Design Case Studies
* Environmental Technology and Sustainability
* Commercial Issues in Product Design
One of the main themes of study in all three years is Computer Aided Design (CAD). This theme covers drafting and solid modelling in the first year, solid modelling and finite element analysis in the second year and computer aided manufacture in the final year. The other major theme is Rapid prototyping (RPD), where digital information about the design is downloaded to a specialist machine which turns the CAD model into a solid object. The main advantage of RPD is that it is very fast in comparison to traditional prototype manufacture.
Another important theme is that of environmental technology and sustainability which includes subjects such as alternative energy generation, material selection and recycling. Materials such as carbon fibre composites which are used in products from sports goods to racing cars are also studied.