MSc Smart Manufacturing

at Birmingham City University

COURSE IN DEPTH

Module

In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 180 credits):

 

Industrial Internet of Things
20 credits

 

Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is the underpinning infrastructure of factories of the future; aimed at developing intelligent systems that accelerate and automate manufacturing processes with a high level of efficiency and accuracy and noticeably lowcost. IIoT is a key enabler for generating industrial big data on a machine’s operation. Data science professionals can use these data to process, analyse, and make decisions to help manufacturers in managing their businesses more efficiently and more effectively. IIoT platforms on the other hand, are essential development tools used to develop innovative industrial applications to automate manufacturing processes to provide smarter and more effective manufacturing processes across various industries.

 

Many companies are now investing in IIoT platforms to increase their visibility, productivity levels and empowering staff to work smarter. The module provides you with an opportunity to gain experience and to critically reflect on the skills of IIoT within a global context. This module builds on the knowledge and underpinning theory from the networking modules and reviews the requirements for good industrial networks management.

 

Digital Supply Networks
20 credits

 

OverviewThe digital enablement of industrial processes has been rapidly accelerating in the past few years. Technologies such as sensors, automation, data collection and data analysis have enabled novel ways of approaching the processes occurring in the modern factories, but equally important those related to their value chain. With systems that aim to automate the production space by learning and adapting, they can enable new productivity paradigms that enhance and optimise the value proposition of the organisations. Leveraging digital tools, digital processes and data, the Digital Supply Network (DSN) is an evolution from the more linear and traditional supply chain into a dynamic and interconnected system that allows full control and visualisation of the end-to-end supply network, involving all its stakeholders and activities.

 

Information Security Governance
20 credits

 

Security measures for adequate protection of valuable information assets are essential not only to guard business success and reputation but also because it is an obligation to comply with legal requirements, appropriate standards and relevant domain regulations. This module provides students with in-depth knowledge and understanding of the concepts, methods, processes, tools and practices underlying good information security management.

 

Applied Machine Learning
20 credits

 

This module covers the concepts and techniques of applied artificial intelligence (AI), focusing on the machine learning applications in practice. It provides the underpinning principles on the design and development of AI to address emerging challenges in the cyber world. A range of machine-learning schemes are examined, including identification of anomalous situations that alter data reliability and integrity. In addition, the students will develop related analytical and practical skills that can be applied in designing AI for data processing applications.

 

Research Methods and Project Management
20 credits

 

This module gives you the necessary research and project management background which will enable you to better understand scientific research, the demands of academic writing, and project management. These skills are useful across the different modules of the school of computing’s masters programmes, crucial for the very important masters project module, and relevant to your future professional life as scientific research and project management are commonplace and rigorous writing is an important professional skill.

 

Advanced and Immersive Technologies
20 credits

 

Advanced and immersive interface systems, for example Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), Brain Computer Interfaces (BCIs), Eye Trackers, and depth sensors are becoming commonplace within the field of human computer interaction. These systems present innovative and exciting design paradigms, but also introduce many challenges to their successful adoption. Having a mastery in the design and development of experiences using these novel systems and understanding the potential they hold for future user experience design is paramount.

 

Individual Master’s Project
60 credits

 

The purpose of the module is to enable you to undertake a sustained, in-depth and research-informed Level 7 project exploring an area that is of personal interest to you. In agreement with your supervisor, you will decide upon your topic which will take the form of a practical outcome (artefact) with accompanying contextual material. The main consideration when choosing your topic is that it must be aligned to the programme you are studying and informed by the research strategy of your school, and you should consider the relevance of this topic to your future academic or professional development.

Essential Requirements

 

At the point of application, you must have GCSE at Grade C or above in English language and Mathematics.

In order to be considered for a place on this course, you must have passed an Honours degree at minimum of 2:2 or equivalent in an engineering, computing or business discipline. Work experience in the above disciplines on an interview basis.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.

 

Award: MSc Starting: Sep 2022
Full Time 1 Year £16,300 in 2022/23

Enhancing your employability skills

We know that employers are looking for graduates who have a good balance between in-depth academic knowledge and technical and practical expertise, which is why our course is geared towards employability.

 

What you learn on our course will help you to stand out when you look for your first professional role. Because you will know how to use sophisticated, industry-standard software, you will be able to demonstrate that you can put into practice your deep theoretical knowledge.

 

We will also prepare you for a career by equipping you with a range of transferable skills, such as complex problem-solving expertise, the ability to analyse in a careful and considered manner, and working as a team member. We aim to have you employer-ready by the time you graduate and, as part of your Advanced Computer Science course, we will invite guest speakers to underpin the subjects taught.

 

Thanks to our excellent partnerships and working relationships with some of the UK’s leading companies, you have the chance to network with leading organisations such as IBM, Dignity plc, Mortgage Brain and Griffiths Waite. In addition, our specialist industry links with the Linux Professional Institute, the Oracle Academy, Cisco, and Microsoft, plus our world-class facilities, will mark you out as a highly employable graduate.

 

This is why our graduates have gone on to pursue computing and software development and designer careers in a wide range of industries, from SME software companies, to industry, government, banking and healthcare. Furthermore, many graduates continue their studies to Doctorate level.