Module Descriptors – Master of Science in Engineering Management

Core Modules

Engineering Statistics

This module supports the students in the analysis of engineering information; presentation and analysis of data in the development of engineering models of the systems and the use of data and theoretical concepts to make engineering decisions for products, processes designs and problem solving.

This module develops a critical understanding of the statistical methodologies which underpin a range of engineering activities. The aim is to cover the common types of problems in engineering practice; engineering scenarios and problems providing the basis for practical – tutorials and computer classes.

Engineering Management and Corporate Strategy

Enable students to critically evaluate how corporate strategy is formulated and critically analyse the need for strategic thinking in a rapidly changing economic and competitive environment and appraising the objectives of engineering management.

Accounting and Finance for Managers

This module will enable students to gain advanced knowledge and thorough understanding of accounting and financial aspects that are expected to be acquired by a manager working for a modern organisation. The finance component of this module aims at developing a clear understanding of the fundamental and advanced concepts of corporate finance.

Organisational Behaviour and Leadership

The purpose of this module is to provide a solid understanding of individuals and group behaviour in work organisations.  It examines the role of management in diagnosing behaviours and adopting practices that can improve organisational effectiveness. This will involve consideration of employee attitudes, motivation, job satisfaction, group behaviour and work teams, organisational culture, leadership, communication, and change management.

Reliability Engineering and Maintenance Management

Detail knowledge of the theories, principles and practices of reliability engineering and apply these principles in the design, operation and maintenance of engineering systems. Also, explore advance probabilistic concepts / theorems, define important reliability measures and introduce related computational algorithms for the reliability analysis of engineering systems models. Practical skills in methodologies applied to life failure data analysis and focuses on reliability as failure mode avoidance.

Six Sigma and Quality Management

Acquire deep understanding of the theories and practices of Six Sigma and associated quality assurance and management principles and directly apply them to a variety of engineering products and service industries. Also will develop conceptual knowledge of total quality management philosophies.

Elective Modules

System and Maintenance Management

Understanding the principles of engineering system maintenance management, the various maintenance strategies, requirements and models including preventive and corrective maintenance. Introduce simulation methods for maintenance. Condition monitoring principles and diagnostics. Real time fault detection.

Energy Management 1 

Introducing the concepts and applications of modern energy management practices. Topics covered will include the need and impact of energy management, types and equipment used in energy auditing. The economic aspects of energy sourcing, purchase and use. Economic assessment of alternative decision-making approaches based on present worth, payback period and Life Cycle Costing. The range of available financing options.

Total Quality Management

Acquire deep understanding and to familiarise students with the latest thinking in Total Quality Management and best practice management. To examine in detail different models for managing quality and best practice throughout organisations. To enable participants to understand how organizations manage and improve processes to support policy and strategy and fully satisfy, and generate increasing value for customers and other stakeholders.

Supply Chain Management and Integration

Supply Chain Management capability within business has, over the last decade in particular, taken on a much more significant role in enabling business to gain competitive advantage and deliver bottom line performance. As companies strive to identify their competitive edge, the application of supply chain concepts will continue to exert greater influence on overall business success. This module covers a wide range of topics in supply chain strategies, design, planning, operations and development. Emphasis has been laid mainly on the perspective of supply chain integration process. Releasing value in business through relationship management, cost reduction and lean supply have been the key considerations.

Renewable and Sustainable Resources

This module focuses on the resources needed to construct and operate buildings, and on their significance for a sustainable future.  The construction industry is one of the largest consumers of resources among all industries, from its supply chain of materials producers and fabricators, through to its influence on the operation of buildings.  Making construction activity sustainable in the long term is a major challenge.  The module emphasizes the links between sustainability, improved performance and resource management in terms of what resources are used and the way they are used with emphasis on sourcing and using renewable materials.  It examines the principles of reuse, recycling and renewal in achieving sustainability in the Built Environment.  It looks at the consumption of materials, energy and water and at the production of waste through the whole life cycle of the building.  Special attention is paid to the different renewable energy resources with focus on technology and economics. The role of energy policy, politics and regulations in promoting the use of renewable resources will be discussed.

Efficient Building Services

The design of ‘environmentally friendly’ buildings depends critically on the choice of appropriate servicing strategies – an inappropriate servicing strategy can negate all the work undertaken on the form and fabric of the building. This module explores the principles behind current low-energy solutions to servicing strategies and deals with basic application information and strategies.  Students will have an opportunity to extend their use of current environmental software to take into account service loads.  The course is designed to complement the information provided in all the other modules. In particular, ventilation system design is covered in detail elsewhere. Support for the learning will come from the module project.

Enterprise Risk Management

The module is designed to equip students with an advanced knowledge of the risk management process; by exploring strategic and tactical issues associated with the implementation of effective risk management practices, students should develop the appropriate skills to appreciate the key processes and decision stages at corporate and project level. Students taking this module will be able to identify and critically evaluate the theoretical and practical concepts of risk and value within the context of engineering project management and to critically evaluate the framework within which project participants can operate appropriate risk and value management strategies.