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 global marketplace.
The intention is to provide a stimulating and challenging programme of study resulting in the development of
self-reliant, versatile, enterprising and competent 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 specific aims of the programme are to:
1. Develop and/or extend students' exposure to the current and emerging theories and practice of project
management
2. Encourage a risk management approach to problem solving
3. Provide opportunities for individual student-centred study in order to develop analytical, critical, problem
solving and research skills appropriate to the role of project manager
4. Provide clear career development opportunities to aspiring project managers
5. Provide a dynamic learning environment to facilitate an appreciation of multi-cultural and interdisciplinary
project teams
6. Provide a focused understanding of the application of project management theories and strategies to
organisations and projects in a global market place.

The methods used to enable outcomes to be achieved and demonstrated are as follows:
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 student presentations within timetabled sessions.
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-formas. Modules are examined by a variety of methods including reports, tests, group presentations and which can include evidence of peer assessment, individual presentations/discussions. This is shown on the module pro-forma as a Portfolio.
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 or individually in a workshop/seminar 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. Modules will utilise scenario projects to allow students to use practical skills and extend their ability to apply relevant project management tools and techniques.
These practical skills will be taught and developed within the Research Methods module and applied within the
Dissertation through supervision from 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.
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.
Group project presentations will allow students to be interviewed and questioned on their submission and their ability to 'think on their feet' will be tested in conjunction with the project management skills acquired during the programme of study.

To put the students' learning into appropriate vocational contexts project modules are based on real projects.