Gun Systems Design – (M.Sc.)

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The activity of design is central to the Gun Systems Design course and all students are required to demonstrate their understanding of design.

We give special attention to the study of recent advances in defence technology, and to training the student in the analysis and evaluation of new concepts against changes and developments of threats.

The course runs annually from September to July. From September to April, the course consists of lectures, tutorials, practicals, design work, visits and directed private study. This section of the course uses some modules offered to a variety of MSc courses in defence-related subjects, offering students the opportunity to mix with others of similar professional interests but of different specialisations.

The modular teaching programme culminates in an Integrating Design Synthesis module. This draws together the material taught in the preceding modules and considers the design of the whole weapon system, examining the compromises necessary to achieve an optimum operational performance.

The academic instruction includes user needs, constraints on design and a variety of subjects pertinent to gun design. It is supplemented by a programme of visits to military units, defence equipment manufacturers and government establishments, and presentations by visiting lecturers.

In addition to the taught part of the course, students participate in a group design project from April to July. The aim of this is to enable students to develop their expertise in engineering research, design or development.

The course normally involves full-time attendance for one year. However, as an alternative, students can spread their studies over several years until they have successfully completed sufficient modules to attract this award.