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Overview| Admission Requirements| Programme Structure|
| Courses of Study| Content of Courses|
| Success Story| Contact|
| OVERVIEW |
Precision engineering involves work at the forefront of current technology. Present advanced technology products of importance in the international marketplace are dependent on high precision manufacturing processes, machines, control technologies and even nanotechnology. The achievement of ultra-high precision in the manufacture of extremely small devices opens the prospects in several diverse and futuristic fields such as massive computing power, medical devices in blood stream, global personal communication devices and high- resolution optical devices.
Precision engineering is cross-disciplinary, dealing with metrology, materials, machining processes, machine tool design, microsensors and actuators, manufacture of integrated circuits and mass storage devices, novel manufacturing methods, applications in medicine and many other relevant fields. The development of new high quality products depends on the challenge of high precision.
Precision engineering has been identified by the Economic Development Board, National Science and Technology Board and other key government agencies as one of the new and enhanced capabilities, which will be critical to developing Singapore's manufacturing industries in the future. Precision engineering is fundamental to our disc drive, automation, precision machinery and equipment manufacturing businesses.
This programme is specially designed for mechanical and manufacturing engineers, designers, research and development engineers, instructors at tertiary institutions, and other related professionals in industry to acquire an in-depth knowledge in precision engineering and other related topics.
| ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS |
Candidates must possess a good bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Production, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Applied Science or equivalent qualifications and relevant practical experience.
An average TOEFL score of 570 for graduates from universities with non-English medium of instruction.
| PROGRAMME STRUCTURE |
This programme is conducted on a semester basis. Candidates are now offered with 2 Options of Study:
Option 1 : Coursework and Dissertation
Candidates are required to complete 8 courses, with a combination of 4 core
courses and 4 electives, and submit a dissertation on a project.
Option 2: Coursework only
Candidates are required to complete 10 courses, with a combination of 4 core
courses, 5 electives, and a compulsory course entitled ‘ Independent Study' .
Each course is covered in 39 hours and usually consists of 13 lectures of 3 hours each. Classes are usually held in the evenings on week days. Examinations are held during office-hours at the end of each semester.
The programme of study can be completed within a minimum of 1 year for full-time students and 2 years for part-time students and a maximum of 2 years for full-time students and 4 years for part-time student.
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1) Core Courses
2) Electives
In addition to the 4 core courses, a candidate is required to take 4 elective courses of which at least 3 of the courses must be selected from Elective Module A:
Elective Module A
Elective Module B
The candidate may, with the approval of the Dean of the School of Mechanical and Production Engineering, take as elective course one course from the other M.Sc. programmes offered by the School.
3) Compulsory Course for Option 2 of Study:
M6388 Independent study
Note: Curriculum is subject to changes. Not all electives will be offered at the same time.
| CONTENT OF COURSES |
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Metallic materials and composites: metallurgical fundamentals and fracture, copper, stainless steels, advanced composite materials, heat resistant superalloys. Selection and service performance of materials: materials selection in design, materials testing, failure of engineering materials. Polymeric materials: polymer synthesis and classification, engineering polymers, polymer blends, liquid crystalline polymers. Ceramic materials: functional ceramics, optical ceramics, magnetic ceramics, colossal magneto-resistant ceramics, case studies. Superconductors. | |
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Quality concept, statistical process control, process improvement, experimental design, product liability, quality management systems and design. Case studies and examples of industrial applications will be used throughout the course. The course develops an appreciation of advanced quality engineering techniques and a perception of how quality can be built into all stages of a product life cycle and throughout an industrial enterprise. | |
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Advanced principles of measurement which examine the static and dynamic characteristics of instruments. The design of measurement system through the application of sensing and signal conditioning elements for data acquisition. Overview of the operations of some specialized measurement systems which have important industrial applications. | |
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Overview. Network Design. ISO/OSI Reference Model. Manufacturing Data Communication. Networks in a Manufacturing Environment. Databases. Relational Databases. Object-Oriented Databases Systems. EDI. The Internet, Intranet and Extranet. | |
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Concurrent Engineering Design Methodology: CE Design Process, Predictive Engineering. Concurrent Engineering Technology: Product Information Management, Product and Process Knowledge Modelling. Concurrent Engineering Implementation: Design for Manufacture, Quantitative Analysis of Design for Assembly. Case Study. | |
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Overview. Fundamentals of Computer Graphics and Geometric Modelling. Computer-Aided Design. Computer-Aided Manufacturing. Rapid Prototyping. Design Communication: The Internet and Intranet in Manufacturing, HTML, VRML and Java Programming in CIM. | |
| International standards, linear & geometric tolerances. Surface, mechanical and optical metrology. Pneumatic and hydraulic devices for measurement. Transducers for in-process & post-process measurements, piezo devices, signal handling & processing, computer-aided-metrology, residual stress measurement. Scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and electron probe micro analysis. | |
| History of precision engineering. Principles and definitions of precision machine design. State-of-the art in research, prototyping and full production from ultra precision machining through micro-engineering, microelectronics and molecular manipulation. Application of displacement transducers to machines and instruments. Tolerance technology. | |
| Atomic structure, electrical and physical properties of atoms. Diamond turning, grinding and polishing. Effects of tooling, material and the environment on the surface characteristics of workpieces. Material removal using electron, photon, or ion beams. Molecular beam epitaxy, chemical and physical vapour deposition. Advanced sputtering and ion-implantation. Deposition techniques, process controls, and film characteristics. | |
| Fundamental concepts in designing precision machinery; metrological instrumentation, ultra-precision motion generators, and precision assembly. Flexure mechanisms for precision engineering. Mechanics of contact, kinetic coupling, vibration isolation and material selection. Actuators and sensors to control mechanisms. Manufacturing of micron scale machinery and structures using non-conventional processes. Case studies on precision instruments. | |
| Electrical design for electronic packaging; interconnect design and printed circuit board design, design of SMP. Material design and reliability; manufacture of ICs, IC package, and advanced substrates; ceramic packaging; thin film packaging. Surface mounting and advanced interconnections; surface mounting assembly; assembly techniques for array packages such as BGA and CSP; TAB, flip chip, wire bonding and MCM; Thermal management and reliability of electronic packages. | |
| Courses in special areas of precision engineering not covered in the above list may be conducted whenever available. | |
| Coherent optics: fundamentals, theory, fibre optics. Geometrical optics: paraxial optics, monochromatic and chromatic aberrations, computer evaluation of optical systems, spot diagrams, MTF. Light sources, detectors and imaging systems. Industrial laser applications and optical systems. Optical interferrometry: applications to precision measurement. Optical materials and precision manufacturing of optical components. | |
| Development of MEMS. Definition of terminology, Operation modes, transducer and sensing theory. Basic design considerations, Choice of Damping factors, Management of Stiction, Design Rules, Design packages, Simulations, Optimisation. Review of basic fabrication processes. Introduction to advanced fabrication techniques. LIGA, electroplating. Micro-moulding, non-silicon substrates. Wafer bonding. Robotics. Vision systems. Wafer dicing and sawing. Chemical dicing. Packaging considerations, Damping, Dynamic Modal Evaluation, Reliability Assessment, Sensitivity, Bandwidth, Linearity, Cross-talk determination, temperature sensitivity. Assembly techniques including robotics. Open or closed loop operation. Force balanced sensors. Critical Damping, Minimising device limitations, CMOS control design. Case studies of commercial available devices as well as devices presently under development. | |
This a creative course based on an issue, case study, problem or an area of interest related to the programme. The candidate is required to propose and undertake an independent supervised research on a topic of study subject to the agreement of the Programme Director. The candidate will have to demonstrate expertise in the topic of study, together with creativity, diligence and critical thinking in addressing the problems and issues on the topic. |
| SUCCESS STORY |
Congratulations to our NSTB Gold Medal winners for the degree of M.Sc.(Prec.Eng.). The award is a recognition of the academic excellence achieved. Here is what Mr Chua Kee Sew shared about their experiences in studying for a part-time MSc programme.
Having been in the conventional metal machining sector for more than a decade, I realised manufacturing engineering has made a progressive shift towards a higher degree of precision and miniaturisation. I observe that Singapore has embarked aggressively on high value-added technology and captive intensive industries. It is beyond doubt that precision engineering will play an increasingly demanding role in upholding the leading edge of our economy in the near future. Hence, it has been my desire to enhance my knowledge in this area, hoping that I could be the outstanding players who contribute to the successful development of the economy.
The MSc programme has added more value to my work proficiency and capability. It has enhanced my scope of exposure to other areas of precision engineering, in particular, non-conventional, atomic-regime resolutions of manufacturing processes, metrology and the design of precision machinery. It was enjoyable interacting in great depth with dedicated lecturers from both local and overseas universities, who are knowledgeable and who have a keen interest in their areas of specialisation. Furthermore, it was equally interesting interacting with classmates who can share varied aspects of working experience.
It was tough for me to surf through the programme. First, it demanded a great deal of personal commitment, discipline, good time management and full support from my wife. I needed to be productive and efficient in my office work so I could leave office promptly for my evening classes. Secondly, I had to be selective in my leisure activities, including my hobbies and favourite TV programmes because there were numerous assignments to complete most of the time. Thirdly, no matter how tight the schedule was, I still managed to take care my family's well being. Most of all, it was essential to schedule my work and annual leave carefully so that I was able to be free for a couple of days to prepare for examinations. Last but not least, it was necessary to start the project work early, preferably at the later phase of the coursework, so that the dissertation could be submitted after the final examination.
It was all worthwhile as the programme has been beneficial and fruitful. With my academic achievement now pegged at a greater height, I hope to be able to serve my organisation with greater competence and confidence.
| CONTACT |
For more information, please contact:
Assoc Prof
Loh Ngiap Hiang Telephone: (65)
6790 5540
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