Advanced Manufacturing Systems MSc

About the Course

This course is designed to address the challenges of modern Manufacturing and Enterprise Systems. It covers a breadth of subjects that enable candidates to appreciate and deal with complexities of modern industrial environments.

Collaboration with ESIEE-Amiens, France

Students have an exciting opportunity to choose to go to France under supervision of Brunel and ESIEE-Amiens and conduct a work placement and dissertation in international companies (a list is available on ESIEE-Amiens web site). Students that take up this opportunity are also eligible for a Project Certificate from this French institution and may also undertake French lessons whilst in France. For further details please contact the Course Director.

See what our students say about this course.

See the course brochure (pdf). 

Aims

In designing this MSc programme, we have kept a number of objectives clearly in mind.

Our aims

• To demonstrate how the technological and human resources of manufacturing are organised to make products in the most competitive way.
• To provide a thorough knowledge of the potential and limitations of new manufacturing technologies.
• To illustrate the essential role of the human resource and its effective integration into the manufacturing system.
• To give the sound theoretical underpinning necessary to exploit the potential of modern manufacturing systems.
• To fit management and strategic theories into the realities of modern manufacturing by demonstrating a positive applications approach.
• To encourage work on real industrial problems, giving confidence in the ideas underlying manufacturing and the practicalities of implementing these ideas.

Who is the programme designed for?

• Recent engineering and technology graduates who have decided to move into manufacturing and related disciplines.
• Established manufacturing engineers working in industry and faced with the challenge of new areas of responsibility.
• Managers and designers working in manufacturing organisations who need to invest in their personal career development.
• Others with engineering, technology or appropriate business backgrounds working in advisory, consultancy or research roles, who need to familiarise themselves with advanced manufacturing systems.

Enquiries

Marketing and Recruitment Officer
School of Engineering and Design
Email sed-pg-admissions@brunel.ac.uk
Tel +44 (0)1895 265814 / 266633

Course Director: Dr Ali Mousavi

Related Courses

• Engineering Management MSc
• Packaging Technology Management MSc

Special Features

Scholarships and Bursaries from Industrial Sponsors

Currently, applications can be made for industrial sponsorships through the AMEE group. The sponsorships will be based on individual cases and through communications between the AMEE group and the Industrial Partners.

You can apply for Industrial Sponsorship by enclosing an application in the form of a one-page essay with your Admission Application Form. In your essay you should explain why you qualify for a partial or full sponsorship by our industrial partners.

From Brunel University

AMEE Subject Area

The top graduate (highest grade in the same year) from AMS will be considered for a full or partial scholarship to cover tuition fees (normally 3 years) for the candidate to pursue research in the same area for PhD.

Applicants who have had exceptional achievements such as wining national or International Scientific Olympiads or nationally or internationally recognised inventions can also apply for Full or Partial scholarships to cover their tuition fees whilst reading AMS. 

PG University Scholarships

Financial Assistance from other sources

The Panasonic Trust Financial Awards for students

Accreditation

The MSc Advanced Manufacturing Systems is accredited by both Institution of Mechanical Engineering (IMechE) and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). This will provide a route to Chartered Engineer status in the UK.

Course Content

Modes of Study

1 Year Full-Time The taught element of the course (September to April) includes eight modules; delivery will be by a combination of lectures, tutorials and group/seminar work. A further four months (May to September) is spent undertaking the dissertation. 

3-5 Years Distance Learning The distance learning programme is designed to enable you to conduct most of your studies at home, in your own time and at your own pace.

There is no requirement to attend lectures at Brunel University, instead you follow a structured programme of self-study at home or at work. Students are supplied with a study pack in the form of text books and CD-ROMs which are supported by e-learning web based lecture materials.

Students can take between 3 and 5 years to complete the course, it is entirely up to you how long you take but usually the minimum is 3 years, with students taking four modules in the first year, four modules in the second year and the dissertation in the third year. However, depending on your other commitments you can take longer up to a maximum of 5 years.

Modules

Compulsory modules

• Systems Modelling and Simulation: Main topics of study: principles of systems engineering; modelling and analysis of discrete systems; material flow systems (assembly lines, transfer lines, serial systems, shop scheduling, flexible manufacturing, group technology, facility layout); machine setup and operation sequence; material handling systems; general modelling approaches (queuing models); process simulation and data analysis, enterprise operations; supply chain and logistics-reverse logistics modelling concepts.
  
  
• Manufacturing Systems and Economics: This module looks at advanced aspects of (a) Manufacturing Processes including description, analysis and classification of basic manufacturing processes; process capabilities, recent advances and developments, assembly systems, automation, robotics and CNC machines, CAD/CAM application, (b) Production Operations including Plant layout, Group Technology, Cellular Manufacturing and Flexible Manufacturing Systems. Lean manufacturing techniques, Kaizen, KANBAN, JIT, 5S, seven wastes, Poke Yoke, Value Chain, supply chain management and outsourcing and design reuse. Inventory control and MRP, and quality control. (c) Design for Manufacture and Process selection: including the relationship between design features and process capabilities, manufacturing system selection to produce a given design and (d) Economics for Manufacture: including Inventory Costing, Economic Order Quantities, Costing machine tool selection and cost of production strategy.
  
  
• Sustainable Design and Manufacture: Students will be taught methodologies for assessment sustainability of a product design, and methodologies for assessing the sustainability of manufacturing procedures and operations. The module has a practical orientation, and at the same time offers common analytical tools for assessment to be used in the design and manufacturing environment.
  
  
• Advanced Manufacturing Measurement: The module will provide an understanding and critical awareness to designing and controlling modern automated manufacturing systems, and employs a systems approach in doing so. The module provides an exposure to a variety of industrial and factory automation practices, and also an understanding in selecting appropriate automation and control methods for the equipment or process at hand. The students will be able to understand the criticality and importance of automation and robotics in the modern industrial environment, and will also understand the issues and differences in automation practices between discrete and process industries. Students will be able to apply current technical knowledge in, and operating a modern manufacturing system, as well as critically analyse manufacturing systems and specify select suitable approaches for control, and to evaluate and justify an automated system.
  
  
• Robotics and Automation: The module aims at providing an understanding and critical awareness to designing and controlling modern automated manufacturing systems, and employs a systems approach in doing so. The module provides an exposure to a variety of industrial and factory automation practices, and also an understanding in selecting appropriate automation and control methods for the equipment or process at hand.
  
  
• Computer Aided Engineering: In this module students will be taught (a) how to constitute entities of physical object, points, edges, surfaces and solids which are modelled for CAE, and the skills to implement them using a contemporary CAE software to create a computer model of a part, or assembly [Pro/Engineer, CATIA, Solidworks), (b) theory and some useful applications of computer models in mechanism synthesis and analysis using a contemporary CAE packages [MATLAB, SIMULINK]
  
  
• Dissertation: Following the taught part of the programme and reflecting individual interests, the dissertation is an in-depth study of a manufacturing problem or situation, requiring a high standard of investigation and presentation. The analysis of a ‘real’ problem is expected, frequently involving a company or workplace. Close liaison between the University, the student and, where appropriate, the company is essential when selecting a topic which has a suitable academic content and an appropriate scope, relevance and timescale. Some students may wish their dissertations to be considered by the Chartered Engineering Institutions to satisfy requirements for corporate membership. In this case, a further set of criteria will have to be satisfied and you should contact the appropriate institute on the best way to proceed.

Optional modules (2 modules)

• Microprocessors and Embedded Systems: This module covers the various elements of embedded system design ie the inclusion of microprocessor system into a mechanism in order to control it. The specialist microprocessor commonly used will be investigated in terms of how to program and interface them to the real world, and how to use particular features required for embedded systems. The other half of the module introduces the subject of control systems analysis and design, with the aim of providing sufficient understanding to implement a feedback control system using a microprocessor.
  
  
• Design of Mechatronics Systems: In this module the students will be taught how to (a) integrate mechanical, electronic and control functions (b) critically analyse and use mechatronic design concepts (c) apply multiple discipline expertise in an integrating mechatronic process and (d) use advanced software to simulate power electronic circuits (PSPICE).
  
  
• Project Management: This module aims to give you a comprehensive understanding and critical awareness of the latest advanced techniques and strategies for Project Management, including management tools, management and reporting methods and team building. Opportunities are provided to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, qualities, skills and other attributes in these areas. A number of specific areas are covered including contract law and health and safety. The module ends with project auditing to establish performance and project closure.
  
  
• Quality Management and Reliability: This module aims to provide an in-depth understanding of the principles of modern quality assurance which underpin the discipline, and their applications in engineering, manufacturing and enterprises. Topics covered include the history and nature of quality management; views of the gurus and ISO 9000; problem solving tools; Benchmarking; Quality function deployment; Poka Yoke; Statistical process control; Failure modes and effects analysis; Significance testing; Design of experiments and Taguchi methods. The module also aims to provide a professional working knowledge of the reliability engineering techniques that the students can apply to improve the maintenance, the maintainability and the safety of an industrial plant. The module also seeks to explain the purpose of maintenance within an organisation and to review the development of its principles and techniques, thus enabling the students to develop a structured strategy for maintaining complex industrial plant.
  
  
• Global Manufacturing: Main topics of study: enterprise systems for supporting the product manufacturing, and development and lifecycle; the marketing/services/ supply chains and their interface; e-Manufacturing and operations; digital enterprise technology (DET); virtual organisations and integration; selection and use of DET and eManufacturing tools; global manufacturing implementation issues and methodology; global manufacturing concept, methodology and implementation issues; case studies on global manufacturing operations and best practices.

Assessment

Assessment is by a combination of assignments and examinations.

Examinations can be taken either at Brunel University or in the country you are resident in. We have an extensive network of organisations (universities, colleges and British Council Offices) throughout the world that will provide invigilation services.

The cost of invigilation away from Brunel is your responsibility. The exams are held in May and September each year.

Fees for 2013/14 entry

UK/EU students: £5,800 full-time

International students: £15,000 full-time

Distance learning students (per 15 credit module): £670 Home/EU, £670 Overseas

Read about funding opportunities available to postgraduate students.

Fees quoted are per annum and are subject to an annual increase.

Entry Requirements

A UK first or second class Honours degree or equivalent internationally recognised qualification usually in science or engineering or technology. Other qualifications and relevant experience will be assessed on an individual basis.

English Language Requirements

Brunel also offers our own BrunELT English Test and accept a range of other language courses. We also have a range of Pre-sessional English language courses, for students who do not meet these requirements, or who wish to improve their English.