Module manager: Ian Fouweather
Email: i.m.fouweather@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 Jan to 30 Jun, 1 Jan to 30 Jun (6mth)(adv yr), 1 Jul to 31 Dec, 1 Mar to 31 Aug, 1 May to 31 Oct, 1 May to 31 Oct (6mth)(adv yr), 1 Nov to 30 Apr, 1 Nov to 30 Apr (6mth)(adv yr), 1 Sep to 28 Feb, 1 Sep to 28 Feb (6mth)(adv yr) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
Students are required to meet the programme entry requirements prior to studying the module.
N/A
This module is not approved as an Elective
This module is designed to help students develop and demonstrate the skills required to carry out a substantial individual project in a chosen aspect of Engineering Management. Core skills for conducting the individual project are first developed through participation in a small group project based on a pre-prepared case study guided online learning.
Students will develop and apply the skills needed to conduct a significant research project. Students will work in small groups carrying out a detailed study of management issues to develop the research, communication and analytical skills needed for independent project work. Students will then carry out a detailed study of a management problem or challenge, from appropriate perspectives (such as strategic management, innovation management, operations management, project management, business planning, or sustainability) which students select.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Define an engineering management problem and use available resources to develop and evaluate potential solutions;
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the need for a high level of professional and ethical conduct when undertaking research;
3. Demonstrate critical reflection in relation to personal research practices;
4. Demonstrate proficiency in written communications;
5. Identify, collect and evaluate relevant data and information;
6. Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of relevant business issues which influence engineering management activities.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the need for a high level of professional and ethical conduct in engineering;
2. Demonstrate the ability to find, evaluate, organise and share information across a variety of formats and media, ensuring the reliability and integrity both of the sources that you use and of the ideas that they help you to generate;
3. Demonstrate the ability to plan time, prioritise tasks and organise academic and personal commitments effectively;
4. Demonstrate the application of a breadth of knowledge to assess the consequences and impact of ideas, opportunities and actions;
5. Demonstrate the ability to search for, evaluate and use appropriate and relevant information sources to help strengthen the quality of academic work and independent research;
6. Develop communication skills and the ability to reflect on their progress by working with the project supervisor.
Indicative content for this module includes:
Group case study: In the first part of the module students will be guided through the following via online learning materials supported by synchronous and asynchronous group discussion with the module leader:
- Alternative approaches to research and the analysis of management;
- Stages in undertaking research for a project;
- Research strategies and techniques;
- Designing and executing a research project;
- Searching and reviewing the literature;
- Data collection and analysis;
- Effective engineering business communication and presentation;
- Writing a project proposal and a dissertation.
Individual project:
Students should identify an engineering management challenge or opportunity, which may be, for example: a product innovation venture; a business development built around a core enabling technology; a fundamental change to an existing market, operational or resourcing issues, business case analysis, legislative changes, the evolution of a market in response to economic, cultural or other shifts.
Students should collect, analyse and present relevant data on both the technical and business aspects of their chosen project; this will include, as appropriate, market statistics, relevant legislation, standards and environmental laws, resourcing and financing.
The project report should demonstrate that academic principles from both engineering and business have been applied to the study; that data has been collected; that the interpretation of the data has been rigourous; and that this has resulted in a clear set of justifiable conclusions.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supervision Meetings | 6 | 1 | 6 |
| Discussion forum | 6 | 2 | 12 |
| WEBINAR | 1 | 1.5 | 1.5 |
| WEBINAR | 5 | 1 | 5 |
| Independent online learning hours | 28 | ||
| Private study hours | 397.5 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 24.5 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 450 | ||
Students complete a Project Proposal and Ethics form in week 4. They receive formative feedback on these through the discussion board from the Module Leader. Additionally when completed they will receive further feedback on these documents.
Their supervisor will provide them with feedback and guidance over 4 to 5 months, on their research plans, the investigation they carry out (methods of data collection and analysis) and the report they are working on. Students are expected to manage their supervisor and ensure that they share their work regularly, so that feedback can be provided.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Report | Individual Project Report | 100 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Students will work independently with support from a designated supervisor to produce a report detailing the research they have undertaken, the output they have generated and critically evaluate the quality of the work undertaken. Students who do not pass the assessment activity at first attempt will be required to revise and resubmit their Management Report, receiving additional feedback, guidance and support from their supervisor.
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 30/04/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team