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Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)

Distance learning degree qualification

QUALIFICATION LEAFLET

The BEng (Hons) is a fascinating and thorough general engineering degree course that explores the fundamentals of this creative and analytical subject, and provides a firm foundation on which to build a successful career. It covers the range of techniques, concepts and knowledge required by professional engineers – from materials and mechanics to design and modelling – and you’ll have the opportunity to specialise in a number of areas: engineering design, environmental technologies, or energy and sustainability. Learning outcomes have been defined to fulfil the Engineering Council’s requirements under UK-SPEC, and early on in your studies you’ll compile a development plan aimed to fulfil your personal and professional aims. You’ll work on real projects and there are two week-long residential schools where you’ll team up with other students to create innovative solutions to challenging problems.

Career relevance and employabilityOn graduation you should be eligible to apply (via an appropriate engineering institution) to the Engineering Council for registration as Incorporated Engineer.You might want to carry on with your studies and work towards registration as a Chartered Engineer. There are two routes: TheMEng–thispostgraduatequalificationbuildson

the BEng (Hons), and must be completed within four years of the undergraduate degree. It is accredited as satisfying the educational requirements for registration as Chartered Engineer (see the Engineering website for further information)

The Postgraduate Diploma in Engineering, leading to the MSc in Engineering.

Qualifiedengineersaremuchindemandfortheirrigorousapproach to problem solving and high level of numeracy. These skills open up a wide range of other career opportunities–forexampleinmanagementorfinance–as well as in engineering itself.

Entry requirements There are no formal entry requirements to study this degree. However, you will need to assess your current competence in mathematics. You will also need to have a proficiencyinEnglishasallcoursematerial,examsandtutor support is in English.

Course durationTypically it takes six years part-time study to complete this qualification,butyoucantakeanythingupto12years.

Modules and pathwaysAs part of your registration you can choose a pathway. Pathways are different sets of module options, allowing you to specialise in certain subjects to complete your degree.To complete your degree you need to achieve 360 credits; 120creditsatLevel1,120atLevel2,and120atLevel3;with each module being 30-60 credits.Thereiscurrentlyonlyonepathwayforthisqualificationavailable to international students:

The following pages provide an introduction to the modules you can study on this pathway.

Qualification detailsFrom microscopic electronic devices to super structures like dams, bridges and towers, engineering has a vast scope that touches every area of our lives.

1 QUALIFICATION LEAFLET

For more information and to register go to www.openuniversity.edu,orcall+448452416555

Engineering design pathway

For a full list of modules available, please refer to our website, www.openuniversity.edu.

Assessment keyEMA = End-of-module assessment iCMA = Interactive computer marked assessmentTMA = Tutor-marked assignment

Stage 1

Engineering the future (T174)

Credits: 30atLevel1

Assessment: 5TMAs,1Examination

ThiskeyintroductoryLevel1courseexaminestherangeof human activity that is ’engineering‘, from design concepts to the manufacture of products. It introduces the context in which engineers operate –including issues such as product safety and patent law – and looks at current engineering practice. It considers some of the developments in engineering methods and applications that will shape the future. The course is ideal if you are considering studying engineering at higher levels and wish to acquire more specialised skills.

Engineering: professions, practice and skills 1 (T176)

Credits: 30atUndergraduateLevel1

Assessment: Tobeconfirmed

Inthismodule(plannedfromFebruary2014)you’lltakethe first steps in planning your personal development to gain the experience and skills that lead to professional engineering status. An engineering topic will be used as the basis for learning development and consideration of issues in engineering. You’ll gain practical skills invaluable for an engineering degree: taking measurements; analysing data; seeking and evaluating information; modelling; problem-solving; and design for decision-making.

Using mathematics (MST121)

Credits: 30atLevel1

Assessment: 5TMAs,1CMA,1Examination

This broad, enjoyable introduction to university-level mathematics assumes some prior knowledge, as described on our MathsChoices website. The course shows how mathematics can be applied to answer some key questions from science, technology, and everyday life. You will study a range of fundamental

techniques, including calculus, recurrence relations, matrices and vectors and statistics, and use integrated specialist mathematical software to solve problems.

Exploring mathematics (MS221)

Credits: 30atLevel2

Assessment: 4TMAs,1Examination

Exploring mathematics builds on the concepts and techniquesinUsingmathematics(MST121)andusesthe same software. It looks at questions underlying some of those techniques, such as why particular patterns occur in mathematical solutions and how you can be confident that a result is true. It introduces the role of reasoning and offers opportunities to investigate mathematical problems.

Stage 2

Engineering: mechanics, materials, design (T207)

Credits: 60atLevel2

Assessment: 7TMAs,1Examination

Engineering is about extending society’s horizons by solving technical problems – from meeting basic needs for food and shelter to generating wealth by trade. Engineers prefer to see difficulties as challenges or opportunities – they appear to be solving problems, but they’re actually creating solutions: an altogether more imaginative activity. In exploring how technical solutions are created, this course combines the mechanics of solids and fluids with the structure and properties of materials.

Design for engineers (T218)

Credits: 30atLevel2

Assessment: Tobeconfirmed

InanewmoduleavailablefromOctober2013, you’ll learn about the process of designing, about how designs are conceived, presented and developed, as well as basic principles of mechanics and materials that are required by the engineering designer.

Engineering: professions, practice and skills 2 (T276)

Credits: 30atLevel2

Assessment: Tobeconfirmed

AnewmoduleavailablefromOctober2013.

Modules

For more information and to register go to www.openuniversity.edu,orcall+448452416555

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Q65) 2

Stage 3

Innovation: designing for a sustainable future (T307)

Credits: 60atLevel3

Assessment: 5TMAs,1EMA

How do successful innovations emerge? How do designers, technologists, managers and end-users create and develop new ideas, designs and inventions? How are these translated into marketable products? This course examines these questions, but its concerns go beyond innovation just for commercial and competitive advantage. It also looks at whether and how innovation can be directed towards ensuring a socially, economically and environmentally sustainable future. You'll work on a project either individually or in a team that makes use of the ideas and methods taught in the course. This course is fully accessible even if you do not have a technical background.

Structural integrity: designing against failure (T357)

Credits: 30atLevel3

Assessment: 3TMAs,2CMAs,1Examination

Structural integrity is the study of the safe design and assessment of components and structures under load, and has become increasingly important in engineering design. It integrates aspects of stress analysis, materials behaviour and the mechanics of failure into the engineering design process. The course is well-illustrated with case studies, and will be of interest to anyone associated with the design of any component or structurethatexperiencesloading,andwillbeofbenefitin developing skills in the analysis and assessment of product design. It has universal applicability in the UK and across international boundaries.

The engineering project (T450)

Credits: 30atLevel3

This course is the compulsory project module of the BEng (Hons). It gives you an opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge and skills you have already acquired in your Level3engineeringstudies,bycompletinganindividualengineering project. You’ll choose the theme from a selection of broad project headings: electronic materials, engineeringsmallworlds,environmentalmonitoring,fluidmechanics, innovation and design, managing complexity, materials failure, solid mechanics and structural integrity. You’ll develop the project topic, execute it and then write it up.

For more information and to register go to www.openuniversity.edu,orcall+448452416555

3 QUALIFICATION LEAFLET

Can I study in any country?This course is not available in all countries. Please use the Course Finder menu at www.openuniversity.edu to see what courses are available in your country.

Is an OU qualification recognised in my country?An OU degree is equal in academic standard to a degree from any other British university. The University is subject to the same quality assurance procedures, through the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA), as all other British universities, and uses external assessors and examiners to ensure comparability of standard and level in its courses.Aleafletisavailableonhowyoucanapplyforformalrecognitioninyourcountry.Todownloadtheleaflet,pleasego to www.openuniversity.edu/brochures/recognition.pdf.

What tutor support will I receive?The OU excels in its unrivalled support for students. You’ll have email and online support from a tutor and you will be able to discuss your study in online tutor group discussions, using our customised learning environment. Our community websitesPlatformandOpenLearnofferadifferentperspectiveon your subject, and a huge range of OU resources on YouTube and iTunes U can expand your understanding. In addition, you can tap into a range of enthusiastic and welcoming OU social network groups on Facebook, Twitter andLinkedIn.

Are there any entry requirements?Formostundergraduatequalificationsyoudon’tneedanyformalqualifications,ortopassanentrytesttostudywithus.Ourundergraduatequalificationsareopentoall because we believe anyone who is keen to succeed should have the opportunity to study.As part of the registration process, however, you will be askedtoconfirmyourproficiencyinEnglish.(Ifyouareunsure, you can take a short online test, which you will findwhencompletingtheonlineregistrationform.)

Can I count previous study towards an OU qualification?Any higher-education level studies you’ve successfully completed elsewhere may count towards your OU degreeorotherqualification.Weenableyoutodothisbyawarding you a certain amount of ‘transferred credit’. By transferring credit gained from previous study, you can reduce the amount you need from OU study to achieve yourqualification.Formoreinformationpleasegotowww.openuniversity.edu.

How do you work towards a qualification? Wemeasurethesizeofourqualificationsincredits–anhonoursdegreeis360credits,madeupofthree120-creditstages.Each stage is made up of a number of modules which cover different parts of the subject. Modules are also measuredincreditsandaresetatdifferent‘levels’.Levelsgive an indication of a module’s relative complexity and/or depth of learning. Most modules are worth either 30 or 60creditsandaresetatLevels1,2and3,whichroughlyequatestostudyinginthefirst,secondandthirdyearatacampus-based university. So for a typical three-stage honours degree you would study: 120creditsatStage1,takingmodulesworth30or60creditsatLevel1

120creditsatStage2,takingmodulesworth30or60creditsatLevel2

120creditsatStage3,takingmodulesworth30or60creditsatLevel3.

In the example given above, each stage could consist of two 60-credit modules or one 60-credit module and two 30-credit modules, or four 30-credit modules.

How long does it take? Ourqualificationsaredesignedtobeflexible.Soifyouwant to vary the amount of time you spend studying, you can. The table below is a guide on the time required, but call us today to discuss how you can vary the study intensity and therefore the time taken to complete your course.

Undergraduate qualifications

Credits required

Time required to complete1

Diploma of higher education (Dip HE)

240 2yearsfull-timestudyor 4 years part-time study

BSc degree with honours

360 3 years full-time study or 6 years part-time study

How much will it cost?Ifyouarestudyingwithusforthefirsttimeourstandardfeefor2012/2013is£5,000–basedon120creditsofstudy – which is equivalent to a year’s full-time study at a campus-based university. Of course you don’t have to study120creditsayearandthepriceyoupaywillbeproportionate to the standard fee. So, for example, if you only study 60 credits a year, you will pay 50 per cent of the standard fee.

UNDERGRADUATE GUIDE 2013

FAQs

For more information and to register go to www.openuniversity.edu,orcall+448452416555

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Q65) 4

Credit studied each year1

Percentage of standard fee

Cost per year

Time taken to complete a 360-credit honours degree

120creditsa year

100% £5,000 3 years full-time study

60 credits a year

50% £2,500 6 years part-time study

1For illustrative purposes only – in most cases you can vary the number of credits taken per year and therefore the time taken to complete the course. Please note: prices are approximate and subject to change. Visit our website or call us for latest details.

When can I start?Togiveyoumoreopportunitiestostart,mostqualificationshave two intakes a year – October and February. To start inOctober2013,forexample,youneedtoregisternolaterthan10thSeptember2013.

What payment options are there?Your payment options include spreading the cost over monthly instalments with our own affordable student budget account, OUSBA (for certain EU countries). For more information please go to www.open.ac.uk/ousba.

Can I meet and network with other students?Definitely–whenyoustartwiththeOUyouautomaticallybecome a member of the Open University Student Association (OUSA). OUSA also runs a popular student forum site. For more information, go to www.ousa.org.uk. Onceyouhavegainedyourqualification,youcanjointhe OU Alumni Association, our vibrant and active alumni communitywith280,000membersworldwide.Youwillenjoymanymembershipbenefits,includingregularnewsletters, good networking opportunities and access to the alumni website.

How is my privacy protected?Werecordyourpersonalinformationwhenyoucontactusand use this to manage registration, study, examination andotherservices.Whenyouregister,we’lltellyoumoreabout how we process and use your personal information.

When should I apply?Apply as early as you can – particularly if you wish to claim for credit for previous study. Registration open dates are shown in the Courses section at www.openuniversity.edu.

For more information and to register go to www.openuniversity.edu,orcall+448452416555

The support I got from my tutor was fantastic, and now the

degree will help me change career. Naomi Clarke, Open University student

5 QUALIFICATION LEAFLET

Go to www.openuniversity.edu, select the Courses section and the degree you require. You will then be asked to select a pathway to register. (Pathways are different selections of course modules to complete your degree.)

Alternatively call us on +44 845 241 6555.

Don’tworry,youdon’tneedtopayanythingatthisLevel.

As soon as you have registered you’ll get an email confirmation which contains your login details.

What do I need to do next?

It takes just 2 simple steps.Begin the process to secure your place. Here's how easy it is.

Before you start studying you will need to choose and registeronyourfirstmodulesandarrangepayment;instructions for this will be emailed to you. OncecompleteyouwillofficiallybeanOpenUniversitystudent – welcome!

For more information and to register go to www.openuniversity.edu,orcall+448452416555

2. Choose your first module, make payment to enrol

1. Register now

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Q65) 6

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Copyright©2013TheOpenUniversity.

AlldetailsshowninthisleafletarecorrectasatFebruary2013,butare subject to change. Pleasecall+448452416555forthe latest details.