If an individual wishes to pursue a change in their practice or the organisation in which they work or collaborate with, or if they wish to conduct an organisational research and development project, or if they are already engaging in a research project which could include innovative changes to engineering practice, then undertaking a Professional Doctorate is one route to achieve these goals and ambitions - under guidance and supervision. All candidates within CSAD, CSM & PDR are guided and supervised by two academic staff that are either Engineers or Practioners that work with Engineering principles and/or the Engineering professions; or from other complimentary research expertise within, or other schools in the University.
The DEng is designed to offer progression from Masters qualifications, including PGDip, MPhil, MA and MSc from Cardiff Metropolitan University, other UK and non-UK academic institutions. Typically, applicants will have a Masters qualification from disciplines including: Built Environment, Design, Engineering, Manufacturing, or Technology. Within CSAD and CSM, candidates could progress from the MSc Product Design, or MSc Production Engineering Management or MSc International Supply Chain & Logistics Management.
Examples of projects are wide reaching, but could include: Developing, implementing and refining key performance indicators or innovative methods to reduce resource use, costs and carbon emissions in the manufacturing process of particular products. Developing and testing an innovative renewable energy system or other system to cool, heat, light, power or ventilate buildings - in a number of case studies. Developing and testing an innovative approach to monitoring energy use or water use and minimisation. Investigating barriers to market for engineering solutions, and testing potential solutions for market commercialisation. Investigating staff engineering knowledge and weaknesses within an organisation and implementing a training programme to improve efficiency in the services and products provided. Developing and testing innovative methods to recycle water from waste, and testing the reuse of the water.
A Professional Doctorate should be informed by existing knowledge and/ or theory, and lead to a original and significant contribution to a change in professional practice or organisational practice; within the Engineering context.
Candidates who have completed the DEng and other Professional Doctorate pathways, report a wider regional, national and international recognition for themselves and the organisations they work with. In addition, candidates comment on their skills and experience being enhanced and also their career advancement opportunities with their current and other employers. In some cases, candidates have been offered a promotion. Furthermore, candidates report the ability to 'think outside the box' and to conduct their work with a more critical, organised and self reflective aproach.
"I have been very satisfied with my progress on the professional doctorate in Cardiff Metropolitan University. The modular approach and detailed engagement and support from the staff has helped me to balance my studies with the busy demands of my job as a lecturer and researcher. The practice-based approach has allowed me to deepen my engagement with Industry in the area of intelligent systems for production and resource efficiency. Progressing through the Doctorate in Engineering (DEng) has been very complementary to my existing qualifications and experience in engineering and has led to increased publications and funding for my research projects."
John Cosgrove
Section Head of Electrical Engineering
Limerick Institute of Technology