Transcript Postgraduate Programme in Lift Engineering at University College Northampton: Bridging the Gap between Practice, Learning and Research Stefan Kaczmarczyk, Phillip Andrew and Jonathan Adams School of Applied.

Postgraduate Programme in Lift
Engineering
at
University College Northampton:
Bridging the Gap between
Practice, Learning and Research
Stefan Kaczmarczyk, Phillip Andrew and Jonathan Adams
School of Applied Sciences, University College Northampton
Overview

Background

Introduction

Course Structure

Learning Materials

Student Support

Assessment

Research Project

Advanced Research programme

Conclusions
Background (1)
 University College Northampton is
situated in the historic county
of “Spires and Squires”
 It is located on two open green
campuses
 Park Campus
 Avenue Campus
 Access to top quality modern facilities
 Over 100 different degree and diploma courses
Background (2)

1979 – Introduction of the first edition of
European Standard EN81-1;

UK Lift industry needed wide ranging re-education of
workforce – both Design and Field service;

1983 - LEIA/ UCN introduce Continuing Education
Certificate, award is now BTEC Professional
Development Certificate, Lift and Escalator
Technology;

MSc in Lift Engineering launched in 1998;

2003/04 – launch of the Foundation Degree in Lift
Engineering.
Introduction

The MSc is a unique course in the area of vertical transportation
that has been attracting significant numbers of students from the
UK and overseas;

Aims to provide a detailed, academic study of lift engineering
and related management issues, together with a higher-level
qualification for persons employed in lift making and allied
industries;

Is offered by distance learning giving an opportunity for current
practitioners in the industry to get involved in a detailed
academic study of mechanical and electrical engineering and
management in the context of Lift Engineering issues;

It consists of a number of compulsory and elective taught
modules, culminating in a research study of an aspect of Lift
Technology or Management of the candidate's choice.
Course structure (1)
The course is composed of 3 compulsory (C1 – C3) and 2 elective
taught modules, plus an independent, industry based research study
presented in the form of a dissertation (C4).
Module C1 : Applications
Year 1
Year 3
Assessment
Weekend/Summer School
Year 2
Module C2 : Codes and Standards
Module C3 : Contract Management
Weekend Schools
Elective Module
Module C4 Dissertation
Commencement
Elective Module
Module C4 :
Dissertation
MSc
PG Dip
Course structure (2)
Compulsory Taught Modules (C1 – C3):

Lift Applications Engineering

Codes and Standards

Contract Management
Course structure (3)
Elective Taught Modules (E1 – E5):
• Lift Component Applications
• Hydraulic Systems
• Control Systems
• Microprocessor Applications
• Utilisation of Materials
Learning Materials (1)

Programme is learnt not taught, learning materials are an
agenda for learning;

Include reference works, which are existing texts or, where
necessary, specially prepared reference texts;

A set of Learning Packages (LP), giving a programme of guided
study through the reference works in accordance with the
learning outcomes of the module;

A set of appropriate assignments for completion and return to
the Module Tutor for formative and summative assessment;
Learning Materials (2)

Subscription to Elevator World being offered as part
of the course providing the student with access to upto-date reference materials;

A study timetable and study guide to assist the
student with time management;

The materials for all modules are available in
electronic format on CD-ROM;

Additional tutorial materials available via the
WebBoard electronic conferencing system.
Student support (1)

The students communicate with tutors via e-mail and the
WebBoard electronic conferencing system;

Weekend / summer schools are important components of the
student support system;

Initiating summer school:

to introduce the students to one another and to academic staff,

to provide the opportunity for students to become familiar with
electronic communication,

to provide training on the use of UCN Learning Resources,

to discuss the format of learning materials and introduce the
intended outcomes of the course in general
Student support (2)

Two additional weekend schools are offered during
the academic year;

The weekend / summer schools are not a vehicle for
supplementary face to face teaching;

Although they, in some cases, permit students to
undertake practical exercises based on the learning
materials;

The schools feature research seminars that have the
format of keynote lectures with speakers from both
academic and industrial backgrounds.
Assessment (1)

The strategy for assessment of taught modules (both
formative and summative) is a combination of
coursework and examination;

The primary vehicles for formative assessment in
each modules are Self Assessment Questions;

Summative assessment in each taught module are
through a combination of the minor and key
assignments as well as end of module examinations;

Students’ performance is reviewed regularly through
the Board of Studies;
Assessment (2)

On completing the compulsory modules (C1 - C3), students
undertake a 3 hour written examination in open book format and
an oral element of approximately ½ hour duration;

The elective modules (E1 – E5) are subject to a 2 hour written
examination;

The written examinations for each taught module are double
marked;

The dissertation is marked by the student’s academic tutor,
together with a second tutor;

Dissertation students may also be required to undertake a
formal viva voce examination;

Overall, a thorough mechanism is applied in order to asses
learning outcomes holistically.
Research projects (1)

Each candidate at his/her final stage of study is required to
propose and justify a research topic as a subject of the
dissertation;

after the proposal is accepted, the candidate manages his / her
own time and activities to bring the project to a successful
conclusion;

The student maintains a chronological record of the work
undertaken in pursuit of the project which is periodically
submitted to his / her tutor;

MSc projects completed within the Lift Engineering programme
are considered for the award of an annual Masters Prize;

Successful MSc projects often lead to seminar / conference
presentations [11]-[12] as well as journal publications.
Research projects (2)
PROJECT TOPIC
YEAR OF COMPLETION
Elevator Power Consumption: a Model for Office Buildings
2002
Lifts for Differently Abled People
2002
The Influence of Variation in Friction on Safety Gear Performance
2002
The Effect of Building Sway on Lift Ropes and Cables
2002
The Effect of Changes in the Velocity Profile into the Overall Energy
Consumption
2003
The Air Movements Effects within the Elevator Hoistway Environment: the
Piston Effect, the Stack effect and Smoke Control
2003
An Evaluation of Firefighting and Evacuation Lifts: Exploring the concept of
Using Lifts to Escape Building Fires
2004
Effectively communicating code requirements for interfaces between building
systems and elevator systems
2005
Lift energy usage
2005
The effect of Changing Position of Lifts in the Building: Central Location vs.
Decentral Location of Lifts
2005
A critical Comparison of Coated Steel Belts against Steel Wire Ropes as
applied to the Lift Industry
2005
Advanced research programme

Research in the area lift system engineering which focuses on
dynamics and vibration;

A well equipped laboratory and extensive computational facilities
necessary for conducting leading research in this subject are available
within the Division of Engineering;

Well established research collaboration links with leading academic
institutions within the UK and overseas;

A research partnership with the ThyssenKrupp Research Innovation
and Design (TRIaD) Product Planning Group in San Diego, California;

opportunity for successful candidates to study towards PhD/MPhil, and
for EngD in the near future;

Thus, the MSc graduates are able to pursue lifelong learning and study
further.
Conclusions (1)

The postgraduate programme in Lift Engineering at
University College Northampton includes a modular MSc
level course taught through distance learning;

The taught modules cover a broad range of areas relevant
to the theory and practice in the field of Lift Engineering;

Students are required to undertake advanced independent
study leading to the MSc dissertation which is considered
essential to achievement of the award;

The course is tailored to the needs of those who are
employed in the lift manufacturing and allied industries and
is supported by the Lift and Escalator Industry Association;
Conclusions (2)

Flexible structure of the course and distance learning
regime of study minimises time away from work and
benefits both the employer and the employee;

Research project forms an integral part of the course and
gives students an opportunity to conduct an independent
study making use of the skills and knowledge acquired
elsewhere in the course;

The programme integrates the three key elements: practice,
learning and research;

The MSc graduates can continue their studies towards
higher research degrees.
PhD / MPhil
EngD
MSc
in
Lift Engineering
Foundation Degree
in
Lift Engineering
LEIA/BTEC
Lift Technology
A complete
provision
for
lifelong learning
bridging the gap
between practice,
learning and
research