Postgraduate Programme in Lift Engineering

atUniversity College Northampton:

Bridging the Gap between Practice, Learning and Research

Stefan Kaczmarczyk, Phillip Andrew and Jonathan AdamsSchool 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 ofEuropean 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)

Elective Module

Elective Module

Weekend Schools PG Dip

Year 2

Year 1

MScYear 3 Module C4 :Dissertation

Wee

kend

/Sum

mer

Sch

ool

Module C1 : Applications

Module C3 : Contract Management

Module C2 : Codes and Standards

Module C4 -Dissertation

Commencement

Ass

essm

ent

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).

Course structure (2)

Lift Applications Engineering

Codes and Standards

Contract Management

Compulsory Taught Modules (C1 – C3):

Elective Taught Modules (E1 – E5):

• Lift Component Applications

• Hydraulic Systems

• Control Systems

• Microprocessor Applications

• Utilisation of Materials

Course structure (3)

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 up-to-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.

Foundation Degreein

Lift Engineering

MScin

Lift Engineering

LEIA/BTECLift Technology

A complete provision

forlifelong learningbridging the gap

between practice, learning and

research

PhD / MPhilEngD