This is a core module for all level 5 students on engineering programmes. The module considers the principles and practices for the management of engineering projects. The nature of engineering project management is discussed in the context of constraints on quality, time, risk and sustainability. The module broadens your knowledge of how organizations undertake and monitor projects. It continues to develop effective team working skills to prepare you for larger group projects in subsequent years of study and employment. The group project at the end of the module enables you to demonstrate your ability to apply your subject specific knowledge in a realistic context and helps prepare you for your individual project in the following year.
This module is part of the personal tutor scheme (PTS). The scheme assists you in your transition to level 5, developing your independent learning, critical thinking skills and reflecting on their relevance to employability.
Your final year will broaden your understanding of core civil engineering disciplines (structures, hydraulics and geotechnics) with building and environmental engineering, and includes a field trip devoted to coastal engineering. You will also study the development, design and construction of sustainable infrastructure, focusing on water engineering, transport, highway and the energy sector. You will carry out an individual project and take part in a major group design exercise with fellow students.
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
In teaching block 1, the basic techniques and principles of engineering project management are discussed in a weekly lecture supported by tutorials and computer based workshops. Pre-reading, lecture material, tutorial sheets and case studies will be made available on Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) to support these activities.
In teaching block 2, students undertake a supervised group project to further develop their understanding of how the principles discussed in TB1 are applied in practice. As part of the group project, they will be expected to undertake individual research and present their findings to the rest of the group. This project will help build group project skills for the following years.
Throughout the year, students are expected to reflect on their acquisition of skills and preparation for employment. This will be particularly important for those undertaking an industrial placement the following year. This activity will be part of the Personal Tutor Scheme and will be worth 10% of the module.
A substantial portion of the learning hours for this module are independent guided learning. A rough guide of how these will be used is as follows: Review of lecture material (40 hours), preparation for tutorials (40 hours), group project (96 hours), employability activities (20 hours)
| Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | Formal lectures Tutorial Group project meetings Computer workshops | 22 40 22 40 |
| Guided independent study | Review of lecture material Prep for tutorials Group project Employability activities | 40 40 96 20 |
| Total (number of credits x 10) | 300 | |
There will be a formal summative assessment at the end of Teaching Block 1 to ensure that all students have a broad understanding of the principles of engineering project management. Formative exercises will be undertaken as examples in the lectures and further developed in the tutorials to support students in their learning.
In Teaching Block 2, assessment will be through a supervised group project. Students will be expected to present interim findings during group meetings and these will provide formative feedback. The assessment of the project will consider both the technical output and the way the team applied the project management skills considered in Teaching Block 1
Students will also be expected to develop an employability portfolio consisting of short pieces of reflective writing on their acquisition of employability skills. These will be discussed with their Personal Tutor throughout the year. They will also be expected to produce a CV
| Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
|---|---|
| 1) Apply project management techniques to simple projects, including the use of appropriate software, in the context of wider business operations, sustainability and ethics. | Test and group project |
| 2) Use quality management techniques, including the application of statistical techniques. | Test, group project |
| 3) Describe basic legal and risk management principles applicable to engineering projects including health and safety. | Test, group project |
| 4) Undertake independent investigations and communicate their findings in written reports | Group project |
| 5) Reflect on their acquisition of employment related skills | Employability portfolio |
| Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Class test | Written exam | 30% |
| Group project | Coursework | 60% |
| Employability portfolio | Coursework | 10% |
| Total (to equal 100%) | 100% | |
It IS NOT a requirement that any element of assessment is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.
Boddy, D. (2010) Management an Introduction (5th Edition), London, Financial Times Press
B.G. Dale, T. van der Wiele and J. van Iwaarden (Editors) (2007), Managing Quality (5th Edition). Oxford, Blackwell
Health & Safety Executive (2006) HSG150 Health and Safety in Construction
Chesholm J.V., Payne A.C., Reavill L.R.P. (2005) Management for Engineers, Scientists and Technologists (2nd edition). Chichester, John Wiley
Singh, K. (Latest Edition) Engineering Mathematics through Applications. Palgrave Macmillan