Postgraduate Courses in the
School of Computing Sciences
MSc Software Techniques for Computer Aided Design
Introduction
There is currently a major shortage of specialists in the design, implementation and integration of software for CAD systems and their component sub-systems. This course is designed to supply the necessary training for graduates to enter industry with software engineering expertise tailored to CAD.
Typically, graduates of this course will find employment as Software Engineers, Technical Advisers or Analyst/Programmers in manufacturing industry and commerce. Alternatively, their new skills may facilitate their development in previously professional careers.
Who is The Masters Degree For?
The course is a conversion course for graduates from a non-computing subject area but with a numerate academic back-ground. The course can either be taken full-time (one academic year) or part-time over a period of two years.
It is concerned with training students in the art of professional software engineering for building and executing individual CAD modules, forming part of a developing software library, or integrated CAD systems developed specifically for a well defined design and manufacturing industry.
No specific computing background is required, but the course does assume a basic literacy in graduate mathematics.
Course Structure
The course is organised into two parts; the first part is taught and is based of eight modules delivered over two Semesters. The third Semester is devoted to a research thesis on an industrial project.
In addition to formal lectures, students are required to attend a series
of
seminars run by the Department of Mathematical Sciences and the School of
Computing Sciences, in which personnel from both academic and industrial
organizations present research papers and information on software products
and their applications to Computer Aided Design.
Semester
Module Title
Semester 1
Programming And Software Engineering
Computational Methods
Curve And Surface Modelling
Computer Graphics
Semester 2
Geometric And Solid Modelling
Finite Element Analysis
Artificial Intelligence
Interactive Real Time Displays
Summer Period
Project
Course Syllabus
Semester One
A programming approach to software engineering, covering modular programming in FORTRAN and C, the definition planning and development phases of programming, software testing techniques, reliability and maintenance, object oriented programming (in C++).
This module covers numerical methods of solution to the varying types of linear equations which occur in CAD, in particular those that arise through interpolation methods used in surface modelling. Numerical solutions to the linear eigenvalue problem are also discussed.
Discusses aspects of parametric curve and surface geometry as used in CAD surface modelling packages. B-spline and Bezier curve techniques are covered as are their generalization to tensor surfaces.
Many components of CAD systems provide graphical output and the CAD process is interactive-graphical in nature. This module covers algorithms for visualization, wireframe representation, hidden line removal and rendering techniques for the presentation of product models.
Semester Two
Presents approaches to product modelling based on the computer representation and construction of three dimensional shape information. Explores the techniques for storing and processing geometric shape information used in CAD solid modellers.
Discusses the Finite Element Method as a general approximation method for the numerical solution to structural analysis and physical problems described by field equations in continuous media required for the solution of product models in a variety of engineering environments (thermal transfer properties and vibration analysis of product models for example).
Develops skills in the specification and construction of techniques of artificial intelligence to provide advisory systems guiding the designer towards the design of a product which meets its functional requirements but yet may be manufactured economically. This module includes a taught component on programming in prolog and the development of expert system shells.
Aims to introduce students to the programming techniques required in the development of interfaces using X-windows development systems such as X-designer and MS Visual C++ (for MS Windows applications) for the design of CAD systems.
Summer Period
The project is undertaken in association with an external organization in industry, commerce or the public sector. It is expected that employed part-time students will undertake projects within their places of work. The project provides the opportunity to develop, demonstrate and to appraise skills acquired from the course in the solution of a real practical problem subject to typical commercial constraints.
Further Information
Assessment
All taught modules are assessed by a combination of examination, course and/or project work. All modules consist of practical programming in which students build up a software library covering many of the data generation and visualization techniques required in a modern CAD system. This library is assessed at the end of the course.
For contact details, see foot of page.
![[ LIST ]](../icons/dmu-scrl.gif){kind=icon}
![[ TOUR ]](http://www.cms.dmu.ac.uk/People/iv/iv/tour/foot.gif)