Engineering Management MSc

About the Course

This programme equips individuals to handle diverse management responsibilities that require knowledge in finance, systems thinking, operations, human resources and the design and management of the supply chain. The course balances academic theory with practical opportunities to demonstrate engineering management capabilities and deliver real solutions through assignments and projects.

See what the students have said about this course.

Aims

The programme is aimed at engineering professionals who have become managers or are currently in a senior technical role and are aspiring to a management position as part of their future career in the Manufacturing, Engineering or Technology sector.

The programme is intended to benefit a wide range of participants, in particular:

• Engineering and technology graduates who aspire to management positions.
• Established engineers working in industry and faced with the challenge of new areas of responsibility following promotion to management positions.
• Managers working in engineering organisations who have the technical knowledge and skills but need to broaden their experience and update their expertise.
• Others with engineering, technology or appropriate business backgrounds, working in advisory, consultancy or research roles, who need to familiarise themselves with engineering management principles and practices.
• European and other overseas engineers who wish to broaden their education in the United Kingdom.

The aims of this MSc programme are to enable engineering managers to:

• Widen their knowledge and understanding of a range of current and developing engineering management issues.
• Develop an understanding of management principles and practices and how they are effectively implemented at a senior and strategic level.
• Develop an advanced understanding of the key strategic issues involved in developing and implementing engineering projects and solutions.

Enquiries

Marketing and Recruitment Officer
School of Engineering and Design
Email sed-pg-admissions@brunel.ac.uk
Tel +44 (0)1895 265814/266633

Course Director: Dr Susan Grant

Special Features

This MSc programme is IMechE accredited for the 2007 - 2013 intakes for CEng requirements.

Accreditation

The MSc Engineering Management is accredited by both the Institution of Mechanical Engineering (IMechE) and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). This will provide a route to Chartered Engineer status in the UK.

Course Content

Modes of Study

1 Year full-time in September The taught element of the course (September to April) includes eight modules; delivery will be by a combination of lectures, tutorials and group/seminar work. A further four months (May to September) is spent undertaking the dissertation.

3-5 Years Distance Learning in September or May The distance learning programme is designed to enable you to conduct most of your studies at home, in your own time and at your own pace. There is no requirement to attend lectures at Brunel University, instead you follow a structured programme of self-study at home or at work.

Students are supplied with a study pack in the form of text books and CD-ROMs which are supported by e-learning web based lecture materials. Students can take between three and five years to complete the course, it is entirely up to you how long you take but usually the minimum is three years, with students taking four modules in the first year, four modules in the second year and the dissertation in the third year. However, depending on your other commitments you can take longer up to a maximum of five years.

Assessment is by a combination of assignments and examinations. Examinations can be taken either at Brunel University or in the country you are resident in. We have an extensive network of organisations (Universities, Colleges and British Council Offices) throughout the world who will provide invigilation services. The cost of invigilation away from Brunel is your responsibility. The exams are held in May and September each year.

Typical Modules (all core)

Managing People and Organisations (15 credits)

Main topics of study: nature of organisations and their development and effectiveness; the role of the engineering manager and the contingency theory of management; the nature and strategic role of human resource management; developments in management theory for business performance management; learning organisations and the role of innovation; managing innovation including organisational culture in a global business environment; motivation and managing high performing teams; managing change and designing organisations that support creativity and innovation.

Global Manufacturing Strategy and Operations (15 credits)

Main topics of study: enterprise systems for supporting the product manufacturing, and development and lifecycle; the marketing/services/supply chains and their interface; e-Manufacturing and operations; digital enterprise technology (DET), virtual organizations and the integration; selection and use of DET and eManufacturing tools; global manufacturing implementation issues and methodology; global manufacturing concept, methodology and implementation issues; case studies on global manufacturing operations and best practices.

Project Management (15 credits)

The module starts with the definition of a project and takes the student through a selection of all of the techniques and methods necessary to understand and use project management, including analytical methods as well as people issues.

Quality Management (15 credits).

This module aims to provide an in-depth understanding of the principles of modern quality assurance which underpin the discipline and their applications in engineering, manufacturing and enterprises. Topics covered include History and nature of quality management; Views of the gurus and ISO 9000; Problem solving tools; Benchmarking; Quality function deployment; Poka Yoke; Statistical process control; Failure modes and effects analysis; Significance testing; Design of experiments and Taguchi methods.

Reliability and Maintenance management (15 credits)

Aims to provide a professional working knowledge of the reliability engineering techniques that the students can apply to improve the maintenance, the maintainability and the safety of an industrial plant. The module also seeks to explain the purpose of maintenance within an organisation and to review the development of its principles and techniques, thus enabling the students to develop a structured strategy for maintaining complex industrial plant.

Logistics and Global Supply Chain Management (15 credits)

Main topics of study: logistics and supply chain management- an introduction; managing material flow (the physical distribution and control of goods); the role of information systems (eCommerce) in developing and enhancing supply chain management; supply chain Relationships; the customer service dimension; time based competition; the Global Supply chain; managing the supply chain of the future.

Systems Modelling and Simulation (15 credits)

Main topics of study: principles of systems engineering; modelling and analysis of discrete Systems; material flow systems (assembly lines, transfer lines, serial systems, shop scheduling, flexible manufacturing, group technology, facility layout); machine setup and operation sequence; material handling systems; general modelling approaches (queuing models); process simulation and data analysis, enterprise operations; supply chain and logistics-reverse logistics modelling concepts.

Financial Management (15 credits)

Main topics of study: the importance of financial control within organisations; the common tools of financial management, including profit and loss accounts, balance sheets and cash flow statements; the techniques and rationale of budgeting; the use of financial techniques for decision making; techniques such as break-even analysis, simple payback, discounted cash flow, internal rate of return, and contracts.

Dissertation (60 credits)

Following the taught part of the programme and reflecting individual interests, the dissertation is an in-depth study of a manufacturing problem or situation, requiring a high standard of investigation and presentation. The analysis of a 'real' problem is expected, frequently involving a company or workplace. Close liaison between the University, the student and, where appropriate, the company is essential when selecting a topic which has a suitable academic content and an appropriate scope, relevance and timescale.

Some students may wish their dissertations to be considered by the Chartered Engineering Institutions to satisfy requirements for corporate membership. In this case, a further set of criteria will have to be satisfied and you should contact the appropriate institute on the best way to proceed.

Recent examples of dissertations by students taking this course include:

• Manufacturing principles in a high mix, low volume environment.
• An analysis of the benefits of eCommerce in SMEs and its role in supply chain management
• Implementing activity-based costing in UK health care.
• A conceptual framework for an interactive supplier social network to support supply relationship management
• Development of a small scale fabrication procedure for microfluidic devices in Brunel University

Upon successful completion of this programme you will have achieved the following learning objectives:

• An appreciation of the management of engineering businesses and an awareness of the external factors affecting them.
• An explanation of how current management theories and practices are relevant to achieving corporate competitive advantage.
• A wider understanding of the structures of engineering organisations and the role, relationships and behaviour of individuals and groups undertaking engineering activities.
• An understanding of the way in which finance and assets are managed within the business.
• An appreciation of the concepts and principles of marketing and customer care.
• A clear appreciation of the impact of quality in engineering organisations.
• The ability to develop a corporate strategy for successfully achieving an engineering driven change by applying current concepts, theories, research and the key issues of engineering management.

Transferable skills

• Problem solving using a variety of techniques.
• Project management tools including network analysis software and Gantt charts.
• Team building and motivation. Research, surveys and analytical skills including strategic and financial analysis.
• Demonstration of improved verbal and written communications.
• Enhancement of relevant IT skills.

In summary the programme is designed to enable engineers to develop the engineering management abilities, skills, and knowledge required in a modern engineering environment.

Assessment

The course is assess by means of a combination of end of term exams and coursework

Careers

Engineering Management graduates may enter a broad range of careers in the Manufacturing, Service and Government Sectors. Previous graduates are employed in industries ranging from metal cutting to process, working for such companies as Jaguar, Rolls Royce, Atkinson, Ford and Unilever. A number of graduates have also built their own consultancy companies.

Fees for 2012/13 entry

Home/EU students: £5,060 full-time

International students: £13,860 full-time

Distance learning students (per 15 credit module): £595 Home/EU, £595 Overseas

Read about funding opportunities available to postgraduate students.

Fees quoted are per annum and are subject to an annual increase.

Entry Requirements for 2012 Entry

A UK first or second class Honours degree or equivalent internationally recognised qualification usually in an engineering or scientific or technological subject. Other qualifications and relevant experience will be assessed on an individual basis.

English Language Requirements

Brunel also offers our own BrunELT English Test and accept a range of other language courses. We also have a range of Pre-sessional English language courses, for students who do not meet these requirements, or who wish to improve their English.