Engineering Management (MSc)

How will I be taught?

Modules are delivered through a series of lectures, tutorials, practicals, workshops and seminars, as well as problem and research-led activities. These methods vary from module to module, as appropriate depending on subject matter and the method of assessment. Supplementary learning resources are also provided to both aid student learning and provide stretching activities.

Individual modules provide further information on how to study and guidance on learning resources and further support.

As well as having individual activities, learning together is an important aspect of this programme, especially when collaborating across multi-disciplinary groups. Directed support is provided concerning effective team participation, developing group dynamics and reviewing peer contribution.

Experts from industry will also contribute by contextualising taught content with real-world problems, exploring latest engineering innovations and presenting practical management case studies.

How will I be assessed?

Summative assessments are designed to best reflect practical relevance and to be authentic, while evidencing achievement of the learning outcomes. Formative assessments which carry no marks are used to assist students in preparing for summative assessments.

 

This gives a measure of performance to inform you, us as staff, and potential employers about your progress and achievement. It can also help the learning process by highlighting areas of success and areas needing more attention.

 

Assessment involves a blend of methods that are selected to suit the outcomes of each module and the course as a whole including:

• Written assignments such as reports, essays and posters
• Planning, conduct and reporting of project work
• Problem-based exercises based on real-world challenges
• Presentations – oral live and recorded
• Peer review
• Reflective practices

How will I be supported?

You’ll be allocated a personal tutor to assist with both your academic progress and pastoral support in an informal and confidential manner. We take pride in providing a warm and welcoming environment for all.

Your personal tutor will see you regularly during the programme. For the dissertation stage, you’ll be allocated a supervisor and if appropriate, an industrial mentor in your specialist field, whom you’ll be expected to meet with regularly.

In addition to the broad range of support services provided centrally by Cardiff University, our Senior Personal Tutor will be available to help and advise on any personal matters.

You’ll have access to a comprehensive handbook appropriate to your programme, containing details of the School’s procedures and policies. We make extensive use of the University’s Virtual Learning Environment (Learning Central) to share information, teaching materials and support your learning.

Feedback is an essential element of your learning experience and will be provided during the duration of your studies. Each module will have feedback mechanisms to aid in your learning and development. Formative assessments which have no marks will have feedback that assists you in developing your knowledge, understanding and skills. Feedback following summative assessments will outline the evidence used to mark your submission against set criteria and provide constructive comments towards developing your knowledge, understanding and skills for the future.

Dedicated School Careers Advisers and staff from Student Futures will also support you to achieve your future career goals and develop your skills to be successful in the Graduate recruitment process.

What skills will I practise and develop?

The Learning Outcomes for this Programme describe what you will achieve by the end of your programme at Cardiff University and identify the knowledge and skills that you will develop. They will also help you to understand what is expected of you.

On successful completion of your Programme you will be able to:

Knowledge & Understanding:

• Demonstrate extended comprehension of key concepts related to engineering management and leadership, and their applications to authentic real-world challenges in research and industry.
• Appraise and critically evaluate engineering and management principles, procedures and strategies when applied to real engineering sustainability challenges.
• Demonstrate a systematic understanding of mathematics, statistics and engineering principles to the solution of complex problems to reach substantiated conclusions.
• Show critical awareness of new developments in engineering and their potential benefits and threats across multidisciplinary teams and environments.
• Evaluate design solutions for complex problems that evidence some originality while meeting a combination of engineering, management, leadership, financial, legal compliance risk assessment, sustainability and societal needs.

Intellectual Skills:

• Critically formulate a strategy for project and change management.
• Identify and implement appropriate leadership models and innovative approaches to improve complex engineering operations and resource management.
• Plan, implement and evaluate engineering systems to meet quality and safety standards from project inception, organisational structure to implementation.
• Appreciate bias within engineering and management practices to challenge existing protocols and processes around social justice and sustainability.
• Critique and defend engineering solutions within a research, industrial and professional engineering context, including sustainability and social justice, as well as across wider societal impact.

Professional Practical Skills:

• Develop and implement solutions using a range of engineering, project management, financial and leadership skills, fundamental principles and processes especially around SHEQ.
• Identify, define and analyse complex issues and ideas, exercising critical judgment in evaluating sources of information and decision-making around uncertainty.
• Communicate effectively, sharing ideas and arguments in manners appropriate to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
• Independently research, analyse and apply primary sources of literature to computational, data-processing and electronic searching skills relating to engineering management information and sustainable engineering practices to develop detailed reasoned arguments, hypotheses and decisions. 
• Reflect on the impact of engineering management in sustainable, social, economic and ethical contexts.
• Independently research, analyse, and apply primary sources of literature to computational, data-processing, and electronic searching skills relating to sustainability, management and leadership information to develop, critically evaluate and present detailed reasoned arguments, hypotheses, decisions and findings within a dissertation.

Transferable/Key Skills:

• Contribute positively and effectively when working in a team and be able to communicate complex ideas effectively to diverse audiences.
• Deploy a range of skills, including problem-solving, communication, teamwork, collaboration, information retrieval, software skills, self-learning, reflection and career development.
• Conceive, plan, execute and communicate outcomes of significant projects or research work that include originality in applying knowledge and critical engineering judgement.
• Develop awareness of your strengths and weaknesses using guidance/feedback to develop strategies for learning with emerging autonomy.
• Research and study creatively, independently, and reflectively, applying advanced knowledge and skills to unfamiliar or wider world challenges or contexts.