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D e p a r t m e n t


  O v e r v i e w


MMEQC

The division provides quality education, training, consultancy, research and development services for students, industry and the professions on a national and international basis.

It offers a portfolio of courses which are reviewed and updated regularly to ensure they satisfy the needs of a constantly - changing Engineering and Service-related industry.

In a Times survey published in 1998, the division was included in the top 20 establishments offering degrees in Mechanical Engineering in the U.K. The division's students benefit from access to some of the most advanced laboratory equipment available. Equipment that mirrors the working environment in many of the world's leading engineering companies.

The sandwich structure of many of our courses, whereby students undertake periods of paid work experience in industry as an integral part of their course, makes Paisley graduates particularly attractive to employers.

In terms of programmes with a Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering bias, the following full-time courses are offered:

  • B.Eng. (Hons) Mechanical Engineering
  • B.Eng. (Hons) Manufacturing Systems with Management
  • B.Sc. Computer-Aided Design
  • B.Sc. Mechatronics
  • B.Sc. Product Design and Development

    A part-time course, the BSc/Dip.HE in Manufacturing Management is also being offered.


      The Sandwich Degree Course: An Integrated Approach to Education

    From the introduction in the mid-60's of vocationally-oriented degree courses under the aegis of the Council for National Academic Awards until its recent establishment as one of Scotland's new Universities, Paisley has dedicated itself to producing high-calibre graduates capable of making a positive contribution at an early stage in their professional careers.

    The success which countless Paisley graduates have experienced within Industry stems largely from the sandwich course format which provides a balanced curriculum of theory and practice, offering students a better understanding of the principles of their chosen subject as well as the opportunity of applying these principles to situations in the 'real' world.

    The concept of being able to 'earn while you learn' is not new but as technologies change, the industrial placement facility, whether, structured on the short-term 'thin' sandwich or the 12 month 'thick' sandwich format, is of considerable benefit to students and employers alike:-

    In the case of students, they can:-

  • Apply knowledge and skills in a 'real-world' situation.
  • Appreciate the differences between the academic and practical environments.
  • Develop self-confidence and maturity.
  • Develop a practically-directed approach to solving problems.
  • Improve the ability to communicate.
  • Develop professional attitudes towards work -
    • Responsibility,
    • Reliability,
    • Punctuality,
    • Self-Presentation
  • Acquire highly specific skills.
  • Learn at first hand, the current scientific and technological developments taking place in industry.

    While in the employers' case, they can:-

  • Assess in a work situation and over a period of time, the potential of possible future employees.
  • Appraise the suitability of graduate entrants more generally, (ie. monitor the type of product the institution is bringing to the labour market).
  • Obtain a relatively cheap and flexible source of labour.
  • Introduce fresh ideas to their organisation and its operations particularly in the case of Small/Medium Enterprises.
  • Establish closer liaison with the educational establishment, its research and consultancy facilities.

    Two other important factors are worthy of mention - Sponsorship and Professional Recognition.
    • The sponsorship of students studying for a sandwich degree award is an extremely useful vehicle by which employers can attract future supplies of graduates with particular knowledge and skills and the industrial training period(s) can be used to 'groom' the student for key involvement in the organisation on completion of his/her course.

    • Many Professional Institutions encourage the integrated approach to education and training and the training undertaken as part of a sandwich course may satisfy in whole, or in part, the professional body's requirements with respect to Corporate Membership.

    If you are at the stage of considering which type of degree course you might like to study at University ie. either full-time or sandwich, the case for the latter can be justified in the following phrase:-

    'You will stand out from the crowd in the competition for a rewarding and fulfilling job after graduation and you can have a lot of fun in the process!'

    Division of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering and the Quality Centre
    University of Paisley
    High Street
    Paisley PA1 2BE
    Scotland
    UK
    Telephone: 0141-848-3553
    Fax: 0141-848-3555

    Site designed and maintained by Jim Thompson and Tom Caddell