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Project Engineering and Management

  • Module code: ME5014
  • Year: 2018/9
  • Level: 5
  • Credits: 30
  • Pre-requisites: None
  • Co-requisites: None

Summary

This is a core module for all level 5 students on mechanical and automotive related degree programmes offered by the School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering. The module includes principles and commercial practices for the management of engineering projects and related wider business operations. The nature of project engineering and business management is considered in the context of quality, time, risk and sustainability aspects. The module is contextualised for mechanical and automotive professionals to promote and broaden knowledge of how companies and organisations work in the project and business environment. This module continues effective team working as well as developing interpersonal skills.

Aims

  • To examine the nature of project and business management and, develop competencies in related management of business.
  • To introduce the concept and management systems of quality and the need for a quality approach to all activities.
  • To recognise risk and to appreciate the principles of risk management, including those related to health and safety.
  • To introduce the legal, commercial, social and ethical framework in which Mechanical and Automotive related businesses operate, including an international perspective.
  • To develop further students' skills in team-working on project management and the appreciation of the role of human resources management

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

  • Apply project and business management techniques to simple projects, including the use of appropriate software, in the context of wider business operations, sustainability and ethics.
  • Use quality management techniques, including the application of statistical techniques. .
  • Describe basic legal and risk principles applicable to mechanical and automotive related situations, including health and safety.
  • Describe theory and practice underpinning the management of human resources and business.

Curriculum content

  • Knowledge of the principles, procedures and application of tools for project, business and risk management.
  • The legal and ethical framework of projects in relation to the law of contract, to tort and to health and safety legislation.
  • Project planning, scheduling and resource levelling, including use of proprietary software 
  • Utilisation of financial tools to undertake economic assessment and analysis  of project or business situations
  • Quality management requirements of engineering and construction projects, including aspects of ISO9000.
  • Basic statistical tools and techniques.
  • The influence of human resource management principles and practices on assembling effective teams to deliver projects for industrial clients.
  • Development of group and interpersonal skills in project and business management.

Teaching and learning strategy

The module is delivered through a variety of lectures/tutorials, projects and the utilisation of appropriate commercial software.  Lecture material, tutorials and case studies will be made available on Canvas.  Lectures and tutorials are designed to introduce the students to project management and related wider business operations relevant to the engineering industry. Practical application of methods and skills embed their knowledge and refine skills through their application to basic industry style scenarios.

Breakdown of Teaching and Learning Hours

Definitive UNISTATS Category Indicative Description Hours
Scheduled learning and teaching Formal lectures Tutorial and seminar sessions Computer workshops 46 40 20
Guided independent study Student independent study, project work and use of software tools 194
Total (number of credits x 10) 300

Assessment strategy

Summative assessment is through a combination of a group report worth 20% and an individual assignment 20% and an end-of-module examination worth 60%.  The tutorial and seminar sessions allow for both peer and tutor led formative assessment opportunities where group discussions can explore the topic in greater depth and feedback can be given building up to the formal summative coursework assignments, feedback from which will also give formative development prior to the end of module written examination.  Further opportunities for feedback and feedforward are built into the computer workshop sessions where exercises relevant to the summative assessments will be discussed and undertaken.

Individual assignment will be set in Block 1 while Group work (worth 20%) will be set in Block 2.

Mapping of Learning Outcomes to Assessment Strategy (Indicative)

Learning Outcome Assessment Strategy
1) apply project and business management techniques to simple projects, including the use of appropriate software, in the context of wider business operations, sustainability and ethics. Formative assessment opportunities will be provided via problems set in tutorials. This will be assessed by the examination and a group assignment
2) use quality management techniques, including the application of statistical techniques. Formative assessment opportunities will be provided via problems set in tutorials. This will be assessed by the examination and an individual assignment
3) Describe basic legal and risk principles applicable to mechanical and automotive related situations, including health and safety. Formative assessment opportunities will be provided via problems set in tutorials. This will be assessed by the examination
4) describe theory and practice underpinning the management of human resources and business. Formative assessment opportunities will be provided via problems set in tutorials. This will be assessed by the examination and an individual assignment

Elements of Assessment

Description of Assessment Definitive UNISTATS Categories Percentage
Coursework Group and individual project reports, including evaluation of self and group. 50%
Examination Written unseen. 50%
Total (to equal 100%) 100%

Achieving a pass

It IS NOT a requirement that any element of assessment is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.

Bibliography core texts

Boddy, D. (2010) Management an Introduction (5th Edition), London, Financial Times Press

Worthington I & Britton C, (2009) The Business Environment, (6th Edition), 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

 

Bibliography recommended reading

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

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