Short Course: Process Product Optimisation
About
Join our advanced course on Process Product Optimisation to transform your approach to product design and development by gaining a deep understanding of the interfaces between design, materials, and processing. This course will touch on recent developments in digital twin technology and use methods developed in the local aerospace industry to implement a real design optimisation process. The analysis will be supported by hands-on manufacture and testing of a carbon fibre composite product.
Science and engineering are valuable only if they serve an identified market niche and do so without sacrificing the longer-term interests of society. For a sustained competitive advantage in product development to be achieved, an integrated approach to innovative design, development and manipulation of enhanced materials and the exploitation of process technology must be adopted. Otherwise the associated 'advantage' is likely to be only temporary. Hence focus must be maintained on the potential of the interfaces between design, materials and technology - the technology-material interface, the materials-design interface, and the design-technology interface.
Successful students will be able to:
- Develop comprehensive knowledge and understanding of scientific principles, theories and practices and develop innovative design for systems and products
- Recognise and analyse criteria and specifications for specific problems and plan implementation strategies
- Employ effective practices and tools for the specification, design, implementation and critical evaluation of engineering application
- Integrate engineering theory and practice with particular emphasis on applications, design, material selection and quality studies
Content
- The materials-design interface: design of materials systems; optimisation of constituent elements; technology of dispersion and defect control; techno-economics.
- The materials-technology interface: assessment of alternative conversion and fabrication process routes in terms of profile and dimensional feasibility; property development and enhancement; quality control and cost-quantity advantages.
- The design-technology interface: quality engineering; analysis of process economics; application of parameter design in optimisation procedure.
- Modelling and analysis of advanced polymeric and composite materials and processes to predict performance characteristics.
- Material-process-product optimisation: studies involving a range of materials, technologies and product/service portfolios.
- Management of resources: deterioration/renewal; replacement-decision and analysis, life cycle.
Term dates
- Start Date: Monday 26 January to Friday 29 May 2026
Attendance
| Learning and Teaching Method | Hours |
|---|---|
| Independent study | 114 |
| Tutorials | 6 |
| Lectures | 24 |
| Practical | 6 |
Location
This course is delivered on the Belfast campus.
Teaching and Assessment
Learning and Teaching Methods
Knowledge is accumulated by lectures, directed study, and case studies in areas selected to have relevance in a range of industrial sectors. Some of the lecturers are given by guest lecturers from industry.
Laboratory-based projects and demonstrations to provide hands-on experience, project based learning and opportunity to consider the practical application of innovative approaches.
The tutorials reinforce fundamental theories and applications developed through other course material.
Assessment Components
Written assignment (Coursework) [50%]
Written assignment 1 based on practical through design, manufacture and analysis of composite beam -
The paper will include the practical elements (computer optimisation) and subsequent observations and analysis of developed composite beam (carried out in group practical).
Formative feedback will be provided throughout the module in line with the University's 'Principles of Assessment and Feedback for Learning'.
Written examination (Written) [50%]
Set Examination of 2 hour duration, any 4 questions from 6.
Assessment and Feedback Strategy
Formative feedback will be provided throughout the module in line with the University's 'Principles of Assessment and Feedback for Learning'.
Career Options
Career Options/Job Roles include:
- Product Development Engineer
- Materials Scientist
- Process Engineer
- Design Engineer
- Quality Engineer
- Technology Integration Specialist
- Innovation Manager
- R&D Engineer
- Manufacturing Engineer
- Consulting Engineer
Transferable Skills:
- Integrated Design and Materials Knowledge
- Innovation and Optimization
- Technical Analysis
- Product Lifecycle Management
- Quality Control and Assurance
- Process Development
- Technical Communication
- Research and Development
- Project Management
- Problem-Solving
Academic Profile
Dr Edward Archer is the module coordinator for this module. He is a Senior Lecturer of Advanced Composite materials in the School of Engineering, a member of the Engineering Research Institute and the Technical Director at the University spinout company Axis Composites Ltd.
Other teaching staff include:
Professor Alistair McIlhagger, a Professor of Advanced Materials in the School of Engineering and a member of the Engineering Research Institute (ERI). He is the leader of the Advanced Future Materials and Manufacturing Group (AFM2) and Director of the Engineering Composites Research Centre (ECRE) at Ulster University.
Further Information
Modules
This is a 15 credit module short course - see the about section for details of content.
Entry Requirements
An Honours or non-Honours degree, HND or postgraduate diploma/certificate in a relevant engineering, technology or science discipline.
GCSE maths, minimum grade C.
Eligibility
Places are limited and open to applicants who:
- are 18 or over at the point of enrolment;
- have a right to work and undertake training in the UK at the point of application and for the duration of the course and must not be disqualified from doing either by reason of their immigration status. Proof of this will be required to progress your application. Prove your right to work to an employer: Overview - GOV.UK
- meet the course specific entry requirements. See course pages for requirements.
- meet the Ulster University general entry requirements including competency in English (as evidenced by GCSE Grade C in English or alternative). For English competency, a degree taught in UK or Ireland covers this requirement. If your degree is from outside the UK or Ireland, please see our list of acceptable qualifications or tests.
- are available to register in person at the campus as required.
Apply now - limited places available
There are a limited number of places for this course. Offers will be extended to those applicants who meet the entry requirements following successful completion of the application process, and have provided evidence of such, on a first come, first served basis. Applications will no longer be accepted or processed once all offers are extended. Applications will no longer be accepted or processed once all places are filled. Applications cannot be considered once a course has started.
Please note you can only be funded by DfE for a maximum of two courses at any one time across all institutions who offer courses as part of SkillUp. You will only be permitted to study one course at Ulster in each academic year or a maximum of two microcredentials up to 45 credits per semester.
When creating your application you will need to have the following documents saved electronically as they need to be uploaded as part of the application process:
- Passport
- Evidence of having right to work and undertake training in the UK*
- Degree Certificate
- English Competency (If you have a degree from UK/ROI, you don't need to provide anything else)
* Holders of UK or Irish passports automatically have this right. if you hold a passport from another nation, please provide evidence of UK immigration permissions to include a ShareCode and/or BRP.
To select the correct course, in the field called Please select the subject area, select Software and Digital from the drop down box. Then select Process Product Optimisation from the next drop down box.
