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Industrial Doctorate Centre in Systems
The University of Bristol/University of Bath Engineering Doctorate (EngD) Programme in Systems
HANDBOOK
2012-2013 Version 5
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Table of Contents Welcome and Introductions ...... 3 Contact Details ...... 5 Overview ...... 6 EngD Qualification ...... 6 The IDC in Systems ...... 6 The Systems Centre ...... 7 The EngD in Systems ...... 7 Programme Details ...... 8 Overview ...... 8 Planning, Time Management, Ownership ...... 9 The Research project ...... 9 Supervision ...... 9 Supervisory Relationships ...... 11 Taught Master level Units ...... 11 Attendance and Assessment ...... 12
Mandatory Taught Units Submission of assignments Late Submission Individual Mitigating Circumstances Marking & Results Progression ...... 18 EngD progression monitoring ...... 18 Publications ...... 20 The EngD portfolio ...... 20 The EngD Dissertation (Thesis) ...... 20 Professional Development ...... 22
Guide Notes ...... 22 Annual EngD in Systems Conference ...... 22 Attendance of External Conferences ...... 23 Peer Reviewed Publications and Authorship ...... 23 EngD in Systems Progress Review Process ...... 24 A Progress Report (2nd and 3rd Year) ...... 26 Problem Resolution ...... 27 Administrative Details ...... 27 Other Sources of Advice and Information ...... 29 Annex 1 – University of Bristol Precinct Map Annex 2 – University of Bath Precinct Map Annex 3 – Core Units Annex 4 - Programme Specification (Bristol) Annex 5 – Summary of Roles and Responsibilities Annex 6- EngD in Systems Programme structure and Professional development programme structure 3
WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS
We would like to extend a v ery warm welcome to all of you as you commence your studies on t he EngD in Systems programme. We are looking forward to working and learning with you over the next four years.
You are about to embark on a challenging and exciting programme during which you have the opportunity to develop both professionally and personally. I t is up to you, individually and as a group, to make the most of the opportunities that will be offered to you during this time!
The Industrial Doctorate Centre in Systems team is here to help and encourage you as you progress through the programme. We look forward to getting to know each one of you. In order to help you get started, we have put together this handbook which we hope you will find useful. It is your responsibility to read and understand the content of the handbook and to use it as a resource as you go through the programme. Please feel free to ask any questions about this handbook and to provide suggestions for future editions. It is important to note that REs are subject to the regulations of the University at which they are registered; hard copies of the appropriate regulations will be issued at registration and links below are online versions of these regulations: http://www.bris.ac.uk/postgraduates/#Rules_and_regulations
http://www.bath.ac.uk/regulations/
The purpose of this handbook is to provide a P rogramme specific information and to serve as a reference source for participants in the EngD in Systems programme, namely Research Engineers (REs)1, supervisors and taught unit directors. It has been designed to offer information normally required for the duration of the EngD programme from registration to graduation2.
This handbook must be read in conjunction with the relevant University’s regulations.
N.B. This handbook is available in alternative formats if required.
1 Postgraduate research students on the EngD programme are called Research Engineers. 2 The information contained in this handbook is correct at the time of publication. Any revisions will be made in hard copy on an annual basis; for the most up to date edition please refer to the Centre’s website at: http://www.bristol.ac.uk/eng-systems-centre/current/ 4
We produced this statement of principles designed to indicate, in broad terms, what the experience of being a Research Engineer should be like. These principles guide the way that the Universities and t he Centre provide and support your research, education, doctorate training and other aspects of your time here. It also outlines the contribution we expect you to make in order to make your experience here successful. The principles are set out below.
Guiding Principles for Research Engineers experience at the Industrial Doctorate Centre in Systems
1. The University of Bristol and Bath acknowledge that Post- Graduate Students play a variety of roles in the University and that all should receive support. These roles include: • Learner
• University Citizen • Local Resident
• Colleague • Researcher
• Scholar
• EngD Ambassador 2. Research Engineers will be encouraged to fulfill their potential personally, academically and socially. This will be achieved through a mixture of both challenge and support.
3. Research Engineers will be encouraged to take both individual and collective responsibility for their own affairs and to participate fully in the life of the Centre and Universities. 4. The IDC in Systems and Universities aim to develop an inclusive culture that recognises and capitalises on the intellectual and social benefits of having a diverse staff and student community 5. Research Engineers are encouraged to express their views on all matters relating to their university and industrial experience
6. The IDC in Systems will provide accurate, consistent and timely information to REs about the life and work of the Universities and the Centre.
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CONTACT DETAILS For general enquiries please contact the Industrial Doctorate Centre in Systems http://www.bristol.ac.uk/eng-systems-centre/
IDC in Systems IDC in Systems Systems Centre School of Management Faculty of Engineering University of Bath University of Bristol BA2 7AY Bristol Tel: +44 (0)1225 386 162 BS8 1TR Tel: +44 (0)117 331 5825
IDC in Systems Management Committee:
Professor Patrick Godfrey Professor John Davis Professor Andrew Graves Systems Centre and IDC in EngD in Systems Programme EngD in Systems Director of Systems Director, Director, Bristol Studies, Unit Director: IEMS, Bristol Tel: +44 (0) 117 331 5701 University of Bath Tel: +44 (0) 117 331 5721 [email protected] Tel: +44 (0) 1225 386 689 [email protected] [email protected]
Dr Mike Yearworth Dr. Steve Cayzer Units Director: Research Prof Chris McMahon Deputy Programme Director Methods 1&2; Advanced Unit Director, University of Bath Systems, Bristol University of Bristol Tel: +44 (0)1225 386533 Tel: +44 (0) 331 5723 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]. uk
Dr. Theo Tryfonas Mrs Lesa Cross Unit Director: Introduction to Dr Oksana Kasyutich EngD Systems Programme Systems, Bristol Systems Centre Manager, Administrator, Tel: +44 (0) 117 331 5740 Deputy Programme Director, University of Bath [email protected] Bristol Tel: +44 (0) 1225 386 543 Tel: +44 (0) 117 3351421 [email protected]. [email protected] uk
Dr David Barton Unit Director: Maths for Ms Sophie Causon-Wood Mrs Janet Rumsey Systems, Bristol Systems Centre Administrator Head of MBA and Graduate Tel: +44 (0) 117 331 5613 Tel: +44 (0) 117 331 5716 Division Operations, [email protected] [email protected] University of Bath, [email protected] Tel: Tel: 01225 386211 Dr Anders Johansson Ms Sarah Tauwhare Dr Peter Ereaut Senior Lecturer in Systems IDC in Systems Coordinator Business Manager Engineering Tel: +44 (0) 117 331 5825 Tel: +44 (0) 117 9289003 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
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OVERVIEW The EngD Qualification The Engineering Doctorate (EngD) scheme was established by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) in 1992, as 'their flagship postgraduate qualification'. It is a 4-year doctoral degree, with an emphasis on research in a business context, with the aim of delivering the leaders of Industry in the UK. It is delivered by a combination of taught coursework and industrial research project work, with typically a quarter of the time spent in Academia (taught coursework, workshops, seminars, transferable skills training, peer-to-peer learning etc) and t he remainder on I ndustry based research. The EngD in Systems is one of the postgraduate programmes run by the Industrial Doctorate Centre in Systems.
The Industrial Doctorate Centre in Systems The Industrial Doctorate Centre (IDC) in Systems is a p artnership between the Universities of Bristol and B ath and is supported by the Engineering and P hysical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). The IDC in Systems builds upon the Universities’ world-class portfolios in Systems and Management education to provide a unique approach to engineered systems and their management. It offers an innovative environment and culture, underpinned by renowned excellence in industry-collaborative research, world-class expertise and resources and an holistic, multidisciplinary approach which gives equal emphasis to ‘soft’(human) and ‘hard’ (physical) systems. The IDC in Systems offers a four-year full time EngD programme in Systems, which combines doctoral level research and taught Masters’ level courses. This postgraduate programme is intended for the UK's most able graduates who have the potential to be tomorrow’s leaders in Industry. The EngD is an alternative to the traditional PhD, being better suited to the needs of Industry and providing a more vocationally oriented doctorate in engineering. The taught component has a vital double role in providing specific input to the design and operation of the research project as well as imparting leadership and management skills for the REs future. The IDC in Systems is a Founding Member of the Association of EngDs www.aengd.org.uk –a ‘shared service’ organisation that supports Industrial Doctorate Centres across the UK to achieve their objectives in recruiting and retaining full cohorts year-on-year of high calibre Research Engineers (RE) and to provide them an innovative and exciting training experience of high industrial relevance as well as academically rigorous. The role of the Association is to build and promote an EngD brand – across industry, academia, and professional institutions and among prospective REs; to promote EngD programmes and to serve as a forum for Centres, REs and EngD Alumni to discuss emerging issues. All Research Engineers of the IDC in Systems are Associate members of the AEngD
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The Systems Centre The Systems Centre hosts the Industrial Doctorate Centre and offers both a physical and virtual location. The Systems Centre is located in the Merchant Venturers Building at Bristol University (Annex1) and provides an arena for networking and interacting with the wider Systems community, as well as teaching and hot-desking facilities. The Systems Centre facilitates a pr ogramme of Systems research seminars, and Systems EngD conferences for all REs and t heir supervisors, and a s eries of public lectures, named after the leader of Systems Thinking in Bristol, Professor David Blockley. These lectures are delivered by prominent speakers, throughout the academic year.
KEY ANNUAL EVENTS AT THE SYSTEMS CENTRE What When Who The end of 2nd Year EngD in Systems During the Induction week, at The end of 2nd Year REs give oral presentations; Research Conference the start of the academic their Supervisors, new Cohort RE and their year, usually second week of supervisors, other delegates are in the audience; October academic panel evaluates presentations and provides feedback
The Systems Centre Annual Dinner Late afternoon after the All attending the conference, other supervisors, Conference during the academic and industrial partners, all REs, the Centre Induction week, every year Visiting fellows and guests IDC in Systems Annual Research ~Mid May or June, annually The final year REs give oral presentations and are conference submitting a conference paper; All REs are presenting poster and provide Abstract of their research to date; All supervisors, all REs, industrial partners and guests are in audience EngD in Systems Exam Board and Mid June, annually All EngD in Systems Staff; external examiner, REs Annual Programme review and Supervisors representative Transferable skills training Summer Early July, annually 1st and 2nd Year REs, plus other REs as desired School University of Bath Programme Board July & December University of Bath Director of Studies, Programme Administrator, Assessment Officer, Graduate Division Manager.
The EngD in Systems The Systems EngD is a four-year full-time programme, comprising a doc toral level Research Project and a taught component. REs will usually start on the programme at the beginning of the academic year in October. A flexible start is also an option. The RE is supported by a company and is based primarily with that company, working on an industry relevant Research Project. The RE can be either an existing employee of the company (“Industry Employed”), or a non-employee on an EPSRC stipend, recruited via the Centre (“Industry Sponsored”). The company collaborates with the Centre on the Research Project and pays the Centre an annual contribution towards its running costs which provide funds for all activities needed to enhance the experience of being a RE. The RE is supervised by an I ndustrial Supervisor from the Collaborating Company, a principal Academic Supervisor (an academic expert on the project topic) and a secondary Academic Supervisor (a Systems specialist) from either partner university. 8
The company normally identifies the research topic and agrees the project with the IDC, principal Academic supervisor and a recruited RE. The taught component (at Masters’ level) includes mandatory units on Systems, Mathematics for Systems and Business Management (further details are enclosed in Annex 4). The RE can also select one optional unit relevant to their research needs from a wide range of specialist options. It is expected that the RE will normally complete the taught units in the first two years of the programme. However, the Centre aims to be as flexible as possible to meet the needs of both industry and the RE and will allow taught units to be taken in the third year. During the EngD programme, the RE will be m entored, where appropriate, to ensure progression towards CEng status and to develop transferable and personal skills.
In general, all time spent on the EngD programme is fully recognised by the Engineering Institutions as counting towards CEng status.
On successful completion of the EngD programme, the RE will receive the award of “EngD in Systems”. The RE will also have:
• Produced a doctoral level dissertation on his/her research, in which Systems Thinking will have been applied in an engineering context.
• A Masters level understanding of generic Systems and subjects relevant to their research. • A Masters level education and training in Management and Enterprise skills. • A high level of competence in transferable skills, e.g. teamwork, leadership, communication, and negotiation skills. • A network of contacts across the Systems & Systems Engineering community.
It should be emphasized that the intellectual challenge of an EngD is no different to a PhD whilst the outputs expected are in fact greater. As a consequence of the additional skills and c ompetencies to be m astered, and t he applied nature of the research undertaken, the EngD is a br oader learning experience and q ualification. The final assessment on the basis of which the EngD degree is ultimately awarded is by dissertation and oral examination (viva voce) to the same standards as for a PhD.
PROGRAMME DETAILS Overview REs carry out their research in close collaboration with an industrial partner and with the University at which they are registered; the taught component of the programme is co- ordinated by the IDC and d elivered jointly by two Universities. The taught programme features four distinct streams: i) Systems Engineering, covering generic system engineering material; ii) Research Methods, covering generic and systems specific research methodology iii) Management and Enterprise, covering strategic business and planning material; iv) Specialist, covering material specific to the RE’s interests. For reference, the full Bristol Programme Specification is available from the Education Support Unit website: 9
http://www.bris.ac.uk/esu/unitprogcat/RouteStructureCohort.jsa?byCohort=Y&programmeCode= 4ENGF001R
A copy of the Bath Programme Specification can be obtained from the School of Management website: http://www.bath.ac.uk/management/courses/specifications/
Note for Bath registered REs: there are differences in programme specification in Bristol and Bath: • There is no Exit award for Bath programme • There no part time option for Bath programme
Planning, Time Management and Ownership An important part of EngD project work is planning, and the monitoring of progress with respect to these plans. Res plans should project at least one year ahead, including deliverables, milestones, and plans for dissemination. These plans should be agreed with all your supervisors, academic and industrial, and recorded in the Annual Progress Review Form (see guidance on p.24). It is an ex pectation, built into the EngD concept that every Research Engineer is responsible for: • Core Units attendance;
• Timely assignments submission;
• Participation in the IDC conferences and other collaborative actitivites;
• Personal development through available transferable skills training programme;
• Satisfactory progress with the research;
• Regular contact with Supervisors
• A sufficient planning and t ime management should be dealt with to meet these responsibilities and facilitate the Ownership of EngD research.
The Research Project The research project work forms the major part of the EngD qualification. In some cases it will consist of a single topic as is conventional for a PhD, whereas in others a number of shorter projects will be undertaken. As research, it must involve ‘knowledge creation’. This may be , for example, in the application of known techniques to solve new problems, creating knowledge about the associated engineering issues, as well as more fundamental work. The Research Project is undertaken as a partnership between the Collaborating Company and the Systems Centre. The company will normally identify the research topic and will agree the project with the principal Academic Supervisor and the IDC Centre.
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Supervision The RE is supervised by an Industrial Supervisor (from the Collaborating Company), a principal Academic Supervisor and a s econdary academic, or Systems Supervisor from either of the partner universities. The supervisors oversee the development of the RE and provide advice and support for the Research Project. Together with the RE, they identify the knowledge and skills that the RE should develop and they advise on appropriate units, ensuring that the optional element of the taught programme and professional development is tailored to the RE’s needs.
It is REs responsibility to maintain regular contact with your academic and industrial supervisors. The nature of this contact will vary, dependent on the practices of the individuals involved, and t he nature of the project work. As a guide, RE should ensure that you make contact with both supervisors at least once a fortnight – this may be in the form of a face-to-face meeting, telephone meeting, or e-mail correspondence. Industrial Supervisor The Industrial Supervisor will provide the main point of contact with the Collaborating Company and w ill normally be t he line manager directing the Research Project. The Industrial Supervisor will help progress the project within the company, ensuring the project remains pertinent to the company’s needs and that the RE has the opportunity to apply the knowledge gained from the taught EngD units. The Industrial Supervisor of a fully funded RE (Stipend) will ensure that the Company is demonstrably committed to the EngD objectives and h elping and supporting an R E to deliver a high standard industrial needs driven doctoral research. The responsibility of the Industrial supervisor of the Employed REs is to manage the conflicts between the pressure of the day to day company work and the time required for in depth research at Doctoral level. The Industrial Supervisor will have experience of professional and career development and have technical or managerial knowledge of the industrial problem to be addressed by the RE.
Principal Academic Supervisor The principal Academic Supervisor will be an expert in the field of the Research Project and will ensure that the academic content and standard of the project work meet the requirements of the doctorate degree. The principal Academic Supervisor will also ensure that the RE has a wide awareness of the subject area of the research and that there is sufficient depth of understanding and analysis within the RE’s project reports and EngD dissertation. The principal Academic Supervisor will provide adequate guidance to support all academic activities of the RE, specific to postgraduate education – conference attendance, publications in peer reviewed journals, presentations of research etc.
Secondary Academic Supervisor The secondary Academic Supervisor will be a Systems specialist. The secondary Supervisor will review all research proposal documents, progress reports and the EngD 11
dissertation to ensure that Systems techniques are being applied to the Research Project.
An analysis of supervisory roles is given in Annex 5.
Supervisory Relationships The supervisory relationship is one of the most crucial ingredients underpinning successful research studies. The relationship is two-sided, with obligations on b oth supervisors as well as the RE. Like any relationship, it has to be worked at and nurtured. It is therefore important to establish clear and explicit mutual expectations in order to minimise the risks and possible difficulties of personality clashes. The EPSRC provide advice on good supervisory practice on their website as an annex to the Studentship Handbook (http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/). Although orientated to the PhD most of the messages are valid for EngD. There is also guidance available from each of the Universities in their Code of Practice for research students and their supervisors. If further guidance or advice is required, the Programme Director at the relevant University should be contacted in the first instance. It is suggested that the programme of meetings is drawn up well in advance and that supervisors/REs avoid rescheduling. Normally the industrial and academic supervisors should meet together with the RE every 2 to 3 months. Meetings should be organised by the RE who should provide an agenda and chair the meeting. One of the results of these meetings should be ag reed action plans to include objectives (academic/industrial/personal) and deliverables which will demonstrate that the objectives are being met.
Taught Master Level Units REs are advised to complete the taught component in the first two years of the programme to enable them to apply the knowledge and insights gained to their research work. The taught component consists of eight core (i.e. mandatory) units and one elective units. The programme specification (University of Bristol and Bath) is shown in Annex 4. Core Units 3 All core units are delivered as short courses of up to five days. Normally, four core units and one elective will be t aken in each of the first two years. However, to provide flexibility, the RE may take more units in any year and m ove units into year 3 i f necessary. Details of core units are given in Annex 3. It is recommended that the core units are taken in the order shown below:
Research Methods I Introduction to Systems Mathematics for Systems Commercialisation of New Technology
3 Please note that the content of core units may change to suit the requirements of industry, in response to feedback from REs and to reflect developments in the fields of the units. 12
Research Methods II Advanced Systems Technology Strategy and Organisation Integrating Engineering and Management Systems
A “roadmap” of the taught units is shown in Annex 5.
Elective Unit One elective unit should be t aken at Masters level. The elective unit can be taken at either Bristol or Bath universities or at other universities and es tablishments that have education agreements with Bristol or Bath University. The choice of elective should be discussed and agreed with the RE’s Supervisors and the Programme Director. The RE is responsible for registering for their elective units with the department/school/establishment delivering that unit and for establishing unit timetables. REs should contact the Programme Administrator at their university of registration for further advice.
Credit Arrangements: There are two different credit points (cp) accumulation systems in operation in two Universities: CATS (Credits Accumulation and Transfer System) in the University of Bristol and ESTC (European System of Transfer Credits) in the University of Bath. In brief, 10 cp CATS = 5 cp ESTC.
REs will be aw arded an E ngD by the University at which they are registered on successful completion of the taught and research elements. As explained above, REs may elect to take units provided by other universities or establishments as part of their programme. Such units will be counted as accredited learning; the number of credits that can be accrued in this way will be determined by the University of registration.
Exemptions for accredited prior learning (APL) must be approved by the Programme Director/Director of Studies (Bristol or Bath, depending on registration) and the Postgraduate Studies Committee (PGSC)/ Programme Board (University of Bath)
REs transcripts will be adjusted to reflect the credit system of their home institution University of Bristol REs RE must complete a total of 100 credits of taught coursework to satisfy the taught element of the programme. All Units, except IEMS, are at M-level (Masters) and require ~ 100 hours of work. IEMS is a 20 cp Unit with requirement of ~200 hours of work. It is expected that RE will spend ~1000 hours of work over 2 years, completing the Taught component of the programme.
University of Bath REs University of Bath EngD in Systems Programme specification requires completion of 9 Core Units (one Bristol Unit - IEMS- is a double Unit) and 1 Optional Unit -Annex 5.
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Attendance and Assessment
Note: A programme-specific details are presented in this section. For full details on the University regulations for a Taught component of the EngD in Systems, please refer to: • University of Bristol Code of Practice for Post Graduate Taught Programmes 2011-12 http://www.bristol.ac.uk/esu/assessment/codeonline.html#extcircs • University of Bath Graduate School resources:
http://www.bath.ac.uk/student-records/pgresources/docs.html
REs should attend all lectures, workshops, seminars and classes delivered as part of the taught programme. This provides REs with the opportunity to network with Systems Engineers from other disciplines and companies and to discuss their research with their academic supervisors.
Mandatory Taught Units Taught units will be as sessed using a variety of methods including coursework assignments, examination, reflective learning logs and peer review as well as the final dissertation. Specific details can be found in Annex 4 and in the relevant Programme Specification. The RE should be aware that the Universities operate different marking systems. The pass mark for the University of Bristol Units is 50%; for the University of Bath – is 40%. • The RE is responsible for ascertaining the assessment method for all core and elective units and times of all unit examinations, where appropriate. • The RE is responsible for bringing any clashes in examination times to the attention of the IDC Coordinator and Programme Director at the University at which they are registered so that any issues can be resolved.
Submission of Assignments All University of Bristol and Bath coursework assignments will have a specified date for submission which will be a dvised during the unit and subsequently published on Blackboard/Moodle for reference.
University of Bristol Units Assignments The assignment must be s ubmitted to the Blackboard by the stipulated date/time. By submitting the assignment you are accepting the Plagiarism Declaration and confirming that the work is original and does not contain any plagiarised material. Instructions on how to submit will be provided in detail at the first unit (Research Methods 1). Each assignment report should be typed in 10 to 12 point font, guidelines for the format and presentation of assignments and reports can be found on Blackboard. Please include a title page with the following information clearly laid out: