Study information

Quality Control and Improvement - 2023 entry

MODULE TITLEQuality Control and Improvement CREDIT VALUE15
MODULE CODEENG3017 MODULE CONVENERDr Martino Luis (Coordinator)
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 11
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) 35
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

This module focuses on the fundamentals of total quality planning and improvement for both manufacturing and service organisations. The main focus is to monitor and control quality, and the way in which quality can be continually improved within an organisation. This module covers the importance and history of quality, definition of quality and total quality, the contribution of quality gurus, total quality tools and the improvement cycle (i.e., the seven quality control tools, statistical process control, Taguchi loss function method, and process capability), and root cause analysis; ultimately to improve product and/or service quality, increase customer satisfaction, and improve profitability and competitiveness. In this module, quality management related software will be introduced to tackle bigger and more complex quality datasets.

AIMS - intentions of the module

This module aims to systematically provide:

  • the fundamental concepts of modern quality control and continuous improvement,
  • the key processes of planning for quality monitoring,
  • the tools and techniques for quality improvement, 
  • the implementation of these concepts and strategies to improve product and/or service quality. 

On completing this module, you will be equipped with the analytical skills, continuous improvement thinking skills, problem solving skills, and be able to competently to design and implement quality tools and techniques to solve quality-related problems, should you aspire to become quality managers in the future. 

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)
This is a constituent module of one or more degree programmes which are accredited by a professional engineering institution under licence from the Engineering Council. The learning outcomes for this module have been mapped to the output standards required for an accredited programme, as listed in the current version of the Engineering Council’s ‘Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes’ document (AHEP-V3). 
This module maps to learning outcomes:  
 
A full list of the referenced outcomes is provided online: http://intranet.exeter.ac.uk/emps/subjects/engineering/accreditation/ The AHEP document can be viewed in full on the Engineering Council’s website, at http://www.engc.org.uk/ahep 
 
On successful completion of this module, you should be able to:
 
ILO #1 understand the philosophy and basic concepts of quality control and continual improvement in an organisation 
 
ILO #2 understand the concept of quality tools and techniques to continuously improve processes and products/ services 
 
 ILO #3 explain the key steps of quality management methodology for effective quality control and improvement programmes in any type of business and public sectors 
 
 ILO #4 develop the ability to implement statistical quality tools and techniques, i.e., seven quality tools, statistical process control, and control charts 
 
ILO #5 demonstrate the ability to utilise data collection, as well as statistical tools and techniques to contribute towards the development of process control and process capability 
 
ILO #6 understand the commercial and economic context that relates to the quality of services and products 
 
ILO #7 apply the quality tools and methods to continually improve the process, product or service quality in real-life scenarios 
 
ILO #8 enhance critical thinking and problem-solving skills
 
ILO #9 enhance technical writing report skills
 
 
AHEP ILOs - BEng  
 All attribute values mapped against this module: SM1p, SM2p, D2p, ET1p, ET2p, ET3p, EP1p, EP7p, G1p,
 
AHEP ILOs - MEng  
 All attribute values mapped against this module: SM1m, SM2m, EA6m, D2m, ET1m, ET2m, ET3m, ET7m, G1m, EP1m, EP7m,
 

 

SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module
1: Introduction to quality control and total quality system: 
 
2: Management aspects of  quality: 
 
3: Tools and techniques for quality control and improvement: 
 
4: Statistical process control and process capability: 
 
5: Process design and improvement:
 
6: Quality monitoring and improvement in service industries:  
LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 22 Guided Independent Study 128 Placement / Study Abroad 0
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Category Hours of study time Description
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 22 Lectures
Guided Independent Study 128 Independent study

 

ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade
SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 25 Written Exams 75 Practical Exams 0
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Form of Assessment % of Credit Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Written exam – closed book 75% 2 hours (Winter) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 Exam mark
Coursework – Quality in Practice 25% 9.5 hours 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9 Comments on written work

 

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)
Original Form of Assessment Form of Re-assessment ILOs Re-assessed Time Scale for Re-assessment
Written exam – closed book Written exam – closed book (2 hours) (75%) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 August Ref/Def Period
Coursework – Quality in Practice Coursework – Quality in Practice (25%) 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9  

 

 

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES

Reassessment will be by coursework and/or written exam in the failed or deferred element only. For deferred candidates, the module mark will be uncapped. For referred candidates, the module mark will be capped at 40%.

RESOURCES
INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener

Reading list for this module:

Type Author Title Edition Publisher Year ISBN
Set Foster, S T Managing quality: Integrating the supply chain, Global Edition 6th Pearson 2017
Set Goetsch, G.L. & Davies, S.B. Quality Management for Organizational Excellence Introduction to Total Quality 8th Pearson 2016 978-0133791853
Set Heizer, J., Render, B. & Munson, C. Operations management: Sustainability and supply chain management 12th Pearsons Education Ltd. 2017
Set Montgomery, D C, Jennings, C L and Pfund, M E Managing controlling and improving quality Wiley 2011
Set Stevenson, W. J. Operations management 13th McGraw-Hill Education 2018
Set Swink, M, Melnyk, S A, Hartley J L and Cooper, M B Managing operations across the supply chain McGraw Hill Education 2020
CREDIT VALUE 15 ECTS VALUE 7.5
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES None
CO-REQUISITE MODULES None
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 6 AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No
ORIGIN DATE Thursday 11th July 2019 LAST REVISION DATE Monday 13th March 2023
KEY WORDS SEARCH Quality, quality control, improvement

Please note that all modules are subject to change, please get in touch if you have any questions about this module.