Engineering Management MSc
2 Years Full-Time (with Advanced Practice in Y2) | September or January Start

Training in research methods provides researchers with an understanding of the “do’s” and “don'ts” that are associated with employing particular approaches to the collection and analysis of data. Awareness of research methodologies and methods will enable researchers to practise appropriate techniques and to implement methods accurately. The primary aim of the module is to inform and sensitise you to the choices that are available when planning to undertake a research project. This includes making you aware of a selected range of qualitative and quantitative research methods that can be employed to collect and analyse primary and secondary data arising from studies using these methodological paradigms. Such awareness will enable you to make appropriate choices when executing your research investigation. Of equal importance, the module will also introduce you to a range of academic skills that will support you during your programme of study in addition to the execution of your research project.

You will develop conceptual understanding around, appreciate the characteristics of, and be able to evaluate, projects. You will also develop an understanding of the project management role, and the relevant approaches, skills, tools and techniques available to a practising project manager. You will be introduced to the dynamics associated with project teams and stakeholders. The module will consider projects within the wider context of programmes and portfolio management. This management of projects, programmes and portfolios are often referred to as P3 management; thus, you will have a basic understanding of complex scenarios of multiple and major projects environments. You will be able to evaluate project management knowledge critically and competencies, reflect on lessons from project case studies, as well as the processes, methods and technologies used by Project Managers and Project Management Offices (PMO’s) in P3 management. You will also embrace the necessary ethical and professional standards to attain competence in the future management of P3 projects.

You will learn about the theories and practices that inform the steering of projects for the delivery of benefits and how they enable you to respond to the challenges of managing organisational change initiatives. The module integrates several topics under each of the competencies within relevant Project Management Bodies of Knowledge: Contextual, Behavioural and Technical. Themes that may be covered include ensuring that benefits are understood and pursued through reliable decision-making, promoting effective identification of risks and opportunities throughout the life-cycle of projects, enabling processes that capture and assess potential changes to project scope, and identifying and customising governance frameworks that successfully integrate stakeholders behaviours and expectation.

This module will develop your understanding of the fundamentals of sustainable and ethical development for engineering practitioners, requiring your consideration of role and responsibility of the engineer within society. You will explore the fundamentals of sustainable development as they relate to decision making in engineering, for example consideration of; legislation, economics, energy, materials, environment and society.

During your study you will consider the challenges engineering activities present society and the future of our planet and seek solutions through the use of various techniques and tools such as the triple bottom line, stakeholder analysis, the circular economy, carbon footprint, material and energy supply chains and risk, the ethics of sustainable development and software tools for eco audit and life cycle assessment.

You will learn how to present a rational argument for sustainable solutions using both qualitative and quantitative data sources and tools using a wide range of published literature and also from your own experience.

Analysis of data is an important task in many disciplines. Trends, correlation of variables, quality control and minimisation of hazardous events are some examples of application of data analysis. You will learn to analyse a range of engineering management problems, and you will build appropriate probabilistic models to support and arrive at sound decisions for non-trivial problems with the aid of computer software tools. You will learn specifically about the followings:

• The application of mathematical techniques to engineering management data analysis problems
o Univariate and multivariate analysis
o Correlation, regression and interpolation - dealing with variations and interpreting the output statistically
o Modelling of parameters involving uncertainty using a range of probability density functions, e.g. normal and beta distributions
• Probabilistic modelling of engineering problems using software tools
o analytical approach
o numerical approach
o Monte Carlo Simulation technique
• Integrating technicality into decision making support incorporating techno-economic, risk and other criteria
• Justification for a defensible solution under uncertainty and multiple criteria
• Documentation, presenting options using technical data, arguments for justifiable and defensible solutions to nontrivial problems.

You will learn how to maintain a business start up research and planning portfolio that demonstrates studies and thinking relating to aspects of business concept development/review, product/service definition, marketing and MR and business finance issues. The portfolio will include a detailed business plan for the start of a small business to exploit the defined business concept and a research project that will analyse the skills and competencies required to become an entrepreneur and critically evaluate the information resources available to support your business start-up investigation.

Academic skills when studying away from your home institution can differ due to cultural and language differences in teaching and assessment practices. This module is designed to support your transition in the use and practice of technical language and subject specific skills around assessments and teaching provision in your chosen subject area in the Department of Architecture and Built Environment. The overall aim of this module is to develop your abilities to read and study effectively for academic purposes; to develop your skills in analysing and using source material in seminars and academic writing and to develop your use and application of language and communications skills to a higher level.

The topics you will cover on the module include:

• Understanding assignment briefs and exam questions.
• Developing academic writing skills, including citation, paraphrasing, and summarising.
• Practising ‘critical reading’ and ‘critical writing’.
• Planning and structuring academic assignments (e.g. essays, reports and presentations).
• Avoiding academic misconduct and gaining credit by using academic sources and referencing effectively.
• Listening skills for lectures.
• Speaking in seminar presentations.
• Giving discipline-related academic presentations, experiencing peer observation, and receiving formative feedback.
• Speed reading techniques.
• Discussing ethical issues in research, and analysing results.
• Describing bias and limitations of research.
• Developing self-reflection skills.