Course Catalogue

The overall aim of the programme is to develop knowledge, understanding and intellectual and practical skills appropriate to a wide range of project management roles in the construction and engineering sector. As the programme will address both demand and supply side perspectives of construction projects, it is also well suited to people in other sectors of the economy who are involved in the procurement of built assets on behalf of their organisation, e.g. project sponsors in the public sector. The intention is to provide a stimulating and challenging programme of study resulting in the development of self-reliant, versatile, enterprising and competent construction project managers. The programme will offer the appropriate type and level of support as students build their knowledge, understanding and skills to become independent learners for the future. The programme will offer opportunities for individual students to exercise some choice as to what they study in relation to their own background, interests or career aspirations. The specific aims of the programme are: 1. to develop and/or extend students' exposure to the current and emerging theories and practice of project management specifically in a construction and engineering industry context. 2. to encourage a risk management approach to problem solving. 3. to provide a opportunities for collaborative and individual student-centred study in order to develop analytical, critical, problem solving and research skills appropriate to the role of a construction project manager. 4. to provide clear career development opportunities to aspiring cognate and non-cognate project managers within the construction and engineering sector. 5. to develop and/or extend students exposure to current and emerging principles and practice within a global construction industry.

Core knowledge and understanding will be acquired through conventional approaches to module delivery and these will be employed throughout the programme. This will include formal keynote lectures, coursework tasks and guided independent study. Additionally, a variety of learning strategies and interventions will be employed which will require students to take an active role in their learning. This will include critical analysis of research literature and dissemination of ideas through seminars, debates and formal student presentations. Knowledge and understanding of the research process will be developed in a specific taught Research Methods module in which students will be inculcated with the fundamentals of a variety of research methodologies and strategies. The module culminates in a research proposal referenced to journal publications and development of a data collection instrument development identifying data analysis strategies. In all modules, students will be given written and verbal feedback on their work. Details concerning assessment arrangements and the testing of specific learning outcomes are included in the module pro-formats. Modules are examined by a variety of methods including formal unseen examination, coursework, classroom tests, group presentations and interview by expert panel. At various points in the programme of study, students will undertake tests using the Classroom Performance System. This will test their knowledge and understanding and provide instant feedback on their progress to date. Practical case studies will be used in order to develop relevant skills and the confidence to use them. These will be carried out in small groups in a workshop environment. The dissertation is a self-managed project with the support of academic staff acting as supervisors. The only formal teaching sessions will be introduction to the module, structure and format of a research thesis and support classes on data analysis. Assessment of a student's intellectual skills will be undertaken by a variety of means. This will include informal assessment of the ability to critically analyse relevant research literature and debate issues within confined peer groups together with the formal assessment of the dissertation submitted at the end of the programme. The acquisition of practical skills will be encouraged and developed within individual modules via workshops using relevant case studies from industry as the teaching vehicle. In the Collaborative BIM Project a real life scenario project simulation is used which will challenge students' practical skills and extend their ability to apply relevant project management tools and techniques in a quasi-live work environment. This practical skill will be taught and developed within the Research Methods module and applied within the Dissertation where work under the 'hands-off, eyes-on' guidance of a selected member of the academic staff of the School. Students' practical skills will be assessed within discrete modules via formal coursework assignments linked to a variety of case study material. In the Collaborative BIM Project module, students will be informally tested at various review points throughout the project and, formally, by interview with a professional panel of experts drawn from industry. Key skills are developed throughout the programme which aims to provide students with an appropriate environment in which to acquire and develop the necessary attributes of a project manager and the confidence to apply them in a challenging but protective environment. One module in particular concerns a major simulation based on a current live project which progresses through various project stages relevant to the programme of study. Students will work in small groups to specific deadlines and they will be challenged at each stage via peer reviews, presentations and interviews with project staff. Students' key skills will ultimately be tested In the Collaborative BIM Project via a fo

Wherever possible, the assessment for each module will involve work related learning.