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PDF for printing» MPhil in Knowledge Transfer and Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
Aims of the programme
The main aim of the programme is to enable engineers, scientists and management practitioners to demonstrate their ability to transfer advanced knowledge into industry.
The secondary aims include:
- to demonstrate an ability to communicate at all levels within an industrial environment
- to demonstrate an understanding of the practical constraints of transferring knowledge
- to demonstrate an ability to justify the introduction of new knowledge
- to demonstrate an ability to manage projects
- to acquire appropriate new technological/scientific/managerial skills to support the knowledge transfer process.
Structure and content
The programme is made up of a taught element and a thesis. In the taught component students will normally be expected to complete 2 units successfully. The units that will be available for study will be those currently offered by the Department within the final stages of its Masters programmes. It will also be possible to study appropriate units offered by Departments other than the one in which the student is registered, subject to their permission and subject to the Board of Studies agreeing to the candidate’s proposed scheme of work. Units studied external to the University may also be counted provided they are approved as being equivalent by the Board of Studies. In addition to the two taught units, students will be expected to demonstrate an appropriate understanding of the factors involved in transferring knowledge. The thesis component will be the result of a 24-month knowledge transfer programme. This may consist of one major project or several linked projects all aimed at transferring new knowledge into business and industry to meet specified objectives.
Assessment methods
The award of MPhil will be made on a pass/fail basis and will not be graded. Units of the taught component will be assessed by coursework and/or examination. A candidate who achieves an overall unit mark of 40% or above will be considered to have passed the unit. Each thesis will be assessed on an individual basis by an internal examiner and an external examiner appointed by the Board of Studies. The assessment procedure and possible outcomes will follow the MPhil model. An interim project report will be submitted by the candidate after approximately 12 months. This will be used to monitor progress and form the basis of feedback to the candidate. Where the quality of the work is appropriate it will be possible to extend the project to PhD level.
Candidates must be sponsored by their employer; this includes employment by the University, details are given below.
The Knowledge Transfer Partnerships Scheme
There are several programmes run throughout the University. These are ‘technology transfer’ partnerships between businesses and universities. Graduates (KTP Associates) are employed for two years to work in-company on challenging, high profile projects and are able to:
- gain valuable business skills and make a strategic contribution to a business project
- earn a realistic salary
- receive practical and formal training and gain marketable skills
- benefit from the support of academic and industrial experts
- enjoy an excellent chance of a permanent post with the company
- register for the MPhil in Knowledge Transfer (see above).
Appointments are made for individual programmes and are frequently advertised in Prospects Today, professional journals, and the national and local press. Programmes with the Department of Mechanical Engineering include Manufacturing Systems, Metalforming technology, Continuous Improvement, Finite Element Analysis, Product Innovation, Constraint Modelling and Set-up Reduction. In addition to Mechanical Engineering, most other University Departments run KTP programmes.
Information about KTP appointments is available from:
University of Bath KTP Office Bath BA2 7AY
Tel: +44 (0) 1225 383844
Fax: +44 (0) 1225 386950
Email: KTPOffice@bath.ac.uk
Website: www.bath.ac.uk/researchandinnovation