KB7065 - Engineering Quality Management

What will I learn on this module?

You will be developed to obtain essential knowledge and skills in quality management, an important aspect of engineering management. You will learn how to make sound decisions for quality management challenges through learning about and practising topics such as: quality definition; standards and frameworks; quality tools; quality in the supply chain and manufacturing systems. You will also learn to practise planning and lean manufacturing principles, e,g, scheduling, benchmarking, inventory management systems and measures, 7 wastes; Just-in-Time tools (e.g. Kanban).

How will I learn on this module?

Active learning sessions will allow you to engage with and appraise specialist knowledge and assist you in exploring and critiquing key concepts and topics within the module. Sessions will involve a combination of content delivery and practical learning exercises to enable you to apply your learning to complex and authentic engineering challenges. A problem-solving focused curriculum will allow you to explore and analyse solutions to complex challenges in relevant subject areas. Learning activities will enable the facilitation of creative thinking approaches to solve open-ended engineering problems.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

During your active learning sessions, academic support will be available to facilitate your exploration of the problem-solving activities. Formative feedback will be provided by the module team, including answering student queries and providing guidance concerning the module such as assessments and your academic progress. The electronic learning platform (eLP) provides a comprehensive resource for integrated learning incorporating learning materials and reading lists that will facilitate directed and self-directed learning. Contact with academic tutors and your peers outside formal teaching hours is encouraged through dedicated ‘office hours’, discussion boards and messaging systems within the eLP. Professional support staff, such as Ask4Help, provide the first point of contact for a range of queries, including, for example, those concerning assessment submission, late submission/extensions, and other administrative issues.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

What will I be expected to achieve?

You will be able to:

Knowledge & Understanding:

MLO1. Apply a comprehensive knowledge of mathematics, statistics, and engineering principles to the solution of complex problems. Much of the knowledge will be at the forefront of the particular subject of study and informed by a critical awareness of new developments and the wider context of engineering (M1)


Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:

MLO2, Discuss the role of quality management systems and continuous improvement in the context of complex problems. (M14)

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

MLO3 - Evaluate the environmental and societal impact of solutions to complex problems throughout the quality management process and minimise adverse impacts (M7)

MLO4, Identify and analyse ethical concerns and make reasoned ethical choices informed by professional codes of conduct (M8)

MLO5, Formulate and analyse complex problems to reach substantiated conclusions, evaluating available data using first principles of mathematics, statistics, and engineering principles, and using engineering judgment to work with information that may be uncertain or incomplete, discussing the limitations of the techniques employed (M2)

How will I be assessed?

Formative Assessments


Academic staff on the module will assess you in a formative manner to help build your confidence and highlight any improvements required to meet the MLOs.



Your formative feedback will be given to you either verbally by academic staff on the module during formally scheduled teaching sessions or using the eLP. Your formative feedback aims to help you learn and prepare for the submission of your summative assessment.

Summative Assessment



Component 1. Coursework 001 (30%)
This component includes tasks such as technical literature research and analytical work on the core knowledge in quality management in a written report (2500 words or equivalent). It will assess MLOs 2 and 3


Component 2. Coursework 002 (70%)
This component requires students to conduct a set of research tasks and complete with a technical report (3500 words or equivalent) which will assess MLOs 1, 4 and 5.


Feedback will be provided electronically through the eLP within 20 working days of the date of submission.

Pre-requisite(s)

None

Co-requisite(s)

None

Module abstract

This module provides the students with in-depth knowledge of quality management in manufacturing systems through a general engineering management lens. This is done through theoretical models that can be implemented on commercially available computer software tools. The module also extends the application of quality management concepts and engineering process models involving quality control and assurance, through case studies across manufacturing, research and development exercises. The technical aspects and the probabilistic modelling of problems supports the making of defensible decisions involving techno-economic, ethical, societal, and other engineering management criteria.

Course info

Credits 20

Level of Study Postgraduate

Mode of Study 16 months Full Time

Department Mechanical and Construction Engineering

Location City Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2025 or January 2026

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

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