PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION KEY FACTS Programme name Systems and Control Award MSc School School of Mathematics, Computer Science and Engineering Department or equivalent School of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences Programme code PSSYCO Type of study Full Time, Part Time Total UK credits 180 Total ECTS 90 PROGRAMME SUMMARY This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that you might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if you take full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information on the learning outcomes, content and teaching, learning and assessment methods can be found in the programme handbook. The programme is suitable for engineers and applied scientists who wish to develop a specialised knowledge in the areas of Systems and Control. The programme addresses the major technological developments in these areas and deals with the fundamentals of the discipline including, modelling, linear and non-linear systems, optimisation, optimal control and advanced control techniques as well as recent major technological developments in industrial control and the emerging areas of complex systems. There are 6 core (compulsory) modules and 6 electives. These modules are complemented by a research project/dissertation on a specific topic of interest in the area of Systems and Control. The course draws on the knowledge and experience of leading experts and active researchers of the Systems and Control Research Centre of City University London. It is supported by research in control theory and design, complex systems, machine vision and information engineering, networks, risk, mathematical systems theory and computations. This research provides topics for the MSc dissertations and opportunities for further research leading to PhD. There are two routes designed to be attractive to you as a full-time student (Full-time option), and to you as a part-time student (Part-time option) working full-time within reasonable commuting distance of City University. Full-time route ~ a 12-month full-time option during which you attend all taught modules in two periods (Period 1- Autumn and Period 2- Spring) and complete their Project over the summer months. All taught modules are delivered within two full days per week to provide flexibility for independent study and for group work. Part-time route ~ a 24-month part-time option during which you attends half the modules in a first year, followed by the other half the second year. Attendance is required for one full day per week during the four teaching periods. The Project is undertaken by you as a part-time student in the second year. 1
Aims The overall aim of the programme is the advanced education of engineers and applied scientists intending to develop a rich knowledge of Systems & Control and the development of expertise in these areas. The programme addresses the major technological developments in these areas including: modelling, control systems design, linear and non-linear systems, optimisation and optimal control and provides a general framework that enables understanding the issues of complex systems engineering. The programme studies general system behaviour as well as techniques for driving the performance and shaping the properties of many different families of systems. These range from the common engineering-type applications (eg chemical processes, robotics, aerospace, power systems) to the more general areas, such as biological, management, economic systems (economic policy) and man-machine systems. Alongside the traditional role of control theory and engineering, there is a modern trend for processes and systems to become more complex and have higher degrees of interaction. These factors and requirements for safety and reliability mean that control-related issues have to be addressed at earlier stages of the overall design. This makes the control discipline an important contributor to the general area of systems design and re-engineering. There are three types of awards that you can get (please see the section WHAT AWARD CAN I GET? ). Postgraduate Certificate in Systems and Control On completion of the Postgraduate Certificate you will have had the opportunity to examine the theories related to systems analysis and modelling, design and implementation of control systems. For completion of the Postgraduate Certificate you need to have demonstrated sufficient ability in at least four taught modules (60 credits) which can be selected from all permissible module combinations. Postgraduate Diploma in Data Science On completion of the Postgraduate Diploma, in addition to the above you will have explored the theory and practice, and demonstrated ability in all the different aspects of Systems and Control, considering such aspects from different perspectives and demonstrating critical insight on the applicable methods and techniques used in Systems and Control. You will have demonstrated ability in modelling, analysis, design, development, testing and evaluation of Control Systems solutions, which equates to passing eight taught modules, worth 120 credits, from all permissible module combinations. MSc in Systems and Control On completion of the MSc programme in Systems and Control, in addition to the above, you will have demonstrated original application of knowledge in the area, either through the analysis, modelling, design, evaluation and implementation of a control system solution that meets the design requirements, or through the critical evaluation and extension of the knowledge in the area through a research-led project. This will be achieved through your individual project, a substantial module worth 60 credits that you 2
can commence once you have successfully passed all your taught modules. WHAT WILL I BE EXPECTED TO ACHIEVE? On successful completion of this programme, you will be expected to be able to: Knowledge and understanding: - Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the general areas of Systems and Control. - Assess appropriate methods applicable to a given Systems and Control problem. - Apply advanced software techniques (e.g. MATLAB, Simulink) to deal with analysis and design tasks in the general areas of Systems and Control. Skills: - Develop and assess concepts and hypotheses in the laboratory. - Solve complex engineering problems using advanced scientific concepts and software packages. - Apply software tools for problem solving, analysis and design. Values and attitudes: - Be conversant in Information Technology as fundamental to the fields of Systems and Control. - Develop an ability to apply Research Skills and Techniques. - Solve complex engineering and management problems using advanced scientific concepts, methodologies and software packages. This programme has been accredited by Inst MC and IET and developed in accordance with the QAA Subject Benchmark for Engineering. HOW WILL I LEARN? The teaching and learning strategy is based on lectures, supported by tutorials and wherever appropriate by laboratory coursework. Assessment for the taught elements of the programme is based on coursework and written examinations. The dissertation aims to provide you with the opportunity to deal with problems in areas where new subject knowledge is required. This involves literature search, assessment of the relevance of previous work, the development of the research task and the presentation of research results. The research dissertation is assessed primarily through a dissertation but with contributions from work carried out during the dissertation period and presentation. WHAT TYPES OF ASSESSMENT AND FEEDBACK CAN I EXPECT? 3
Assessment and Assessment Criteria Assessment draws on a range of approaches which include written examinations, laboratory reports, verbal-seminar presentations, a research project and/or publication activities. The rationale for this is to assess a range of different skills as well as expose you to different approaches. The assessments link as closely as possible to relevant activities you would undertake in practice. Most modules have more than one assessment and the weighting for each assessment component is outlined clearly within the module specification. Assessment Criteria are provided for each module and are descriptions, based on the intended learning outcomes, of the skills, knowledge or attitudes that you need to demonstrate in order to complete an assessment successfully, providing a mechanism by which the quality of an assessment can be measured. Grade-Related Criteria are also provided for each module and the programme and are descriptions of the level of skills, knowledge or attributes that you need to demonstrate in order achieve a certain grade or mark in an assessment, providing a mechanism by which the quality of an assessment can be measured and placed within the overall set of marks. Feedback on assessment Feedback will be provided in line with our Assessment and Feedback Policy. In particular, you will normally be provided with feedback within three weeks of the submission deadline or assessment date. This would normally include a provisional grade or mark. For end of module examinations or an equivalent significant task (e.g. an end of module project), feedback will normally be provided within four weeks. The timescale for feedback on final year projects or dissertations may be longer. The full policy can be found at: https://www.city.ac.uk/ data/assets/pdf_file/0008/68921/assessment_and_feedback_p olicy.pdf Assessment Regulations In order to pass your Programme, you should complete successfully or be exempted from the relevant modules and assessments and will therefore acquire the required number of credits. You also need to pass each Part of your Programme in order to progress to the following Part. The Pass mark for each module is 50%. Assessment: In order to pass the module and acquire the associated credits, you must achieve a minimum mark of 50% in the assessment components and achieve an overall minimum aggregate Module Mark of 50%. If you fail an assessment component or a module, the following will apply: 4
1. Compensation: where you fail up to a total of 20 credits at first or resit attempt (15 for a Postgraduate Certificate), you may be allowed compensation if: Compensation is permitted for the module involved (see the module specification), and It can be demonstrated that you have satisfied all the Learning Outcomes of the modules in the Part, and A minimum overall mark of 40% has been achieved in the module to be compensated, and An aggregate mark of 50% has been achieved overall. If you receive a compensated pass in a module you shall be awarded the credit for that module. The original component marks shall be retained in the record of marks and the greater of the original module mark and the minimum pass mark for the module shall be used for the purpose of calculation towards the Award. 2. Resit: you will normally be offered one resit attempt. However, if you did not participate in the first assessment and have no extenuating circumstances, you may not be offered a resit. If you are successful in the resit, you shall be awarded the credit for that module. The mark used for the purpose of calculation towards your Award shall be calculated from the original marks for the component(s) that you passed at first attempt and the minimum pass mark for the component(s) for which you took a resit. If you do not satisfy your resit by the date specified you will not progress and the Assessment Board shall require that you withdraw from the Programme. If you fail to meet the requirements for the Programme, but satisfy the requirements for a lower-level Award, then a lower qualification may be awarded as per the table below. If you fail to meet the requirements for the Programme and are not eligible for the award of a lower level qualification, the Assessment Board shall require that you withdraw from the Programme. If you would like to know more about the way in which assessment works at City, please see the full version of the Assessment Regulations at: http://www.city.ac.uk/ data/assets/word_doc/0003/69249/s19.doc WHAT AWARD CAN I GET? Master s Degree: Part HE Credits Weightin Class % required g (%) Dissertation 7 45 100 With Distinction 70 Taught 7 135 100 With Merit 60 Without classification 50 Postgraduate Diploma: 5
Part HE Credits Weightin Class % required g (%) Taught 7 120 100 With Distinction 70 With Merit 60 Without 50 classification Postgraduate Certificate: Part HE Credits Weightin g (%) Class Taught 7 60 100 Without classification % required 50 WHAT WILL I STUDY? The programme consists of 6 compulsory modules, 6 electives (of which 3 should be taken), plus the dissertation. Module Title SITS Code Module Credits Core/ Elective Can be Compensated? TERM 1 Introduction to Control EPM778 15 C Y 7 Optimisation and Stochastic EPM739 15 C Y 7 Modelling Systems Modelling EPM744 15 C Y 7 Signals and Information EPM759 15 E 1 Y 7 Theory Linear Programming and EPM504 15 E 1 Y 7 Decision Making TERM 2 Research Skills EPM697 15 C Y 7 Individual Project/ EPM698 45 C N 7 Dissertation Linear & Non-Linear EPM750 15 C Y 7 Systems Optimal Control EPM751 15 C Y 7 Control Systems Design EPM749 15 E 2 Y 7 Digital Signal Processing EPM746 15 E 2 Y 7 Industrial Control EPM500 15 E 3 Y 7 Financial Engineering and Planning EPM505 15 E 3 Y 7 1. You can take EITHER EPM759 OR EPM504 in Term 1 2. You can take EITHER EPM749 OR EPM746 in Term 2 3. You can take EITHER EPM500 OR EPM505 in Term 2 180 Total Number of Credits 6
You are not normally required to pass all taught modules before progressing to the dissertation. TO WHAT KIND OF CAREER MIGHT I GO ON? The Course Director may provide guidance for career path links to alumni. If you would like more information on the Careers support available at City, please go to: http://www.city.ac.uk/careers/for-students-and-recent-graduates. WHAT STUDY ABROAD OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE? There is the opportunity to carry out the Individual Project abroad in one of the Institutes having an ERASMUS collaboration agreement with us under the joint supervision of supervisors from the School and from the collaborating Institution. For further information contact the Course Director. WHAT PLACEMENT OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE? The School Professional Liaison Unit provides support to prepare CVs, interviews and application for internships. WILL I GET ANY PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION? Accrediting Body: Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) Accrediting Body: Institute of Measurement and Control (InstMC) Nature of Accreditation: Further learning for CEng HOW DO I ENTER THE PROGRAMME? To Register for the MSc a minimum admission requirement is a Lower Second Class degree, or equivalent, in an Engineering, Scientific or Mathematical discipline will normally be required. Suitable industrial experience will also be considered. Version: 2.1 Version date: October 2014 For use from: 2014-15 7