Module manager: Dr DW Dixon
Email: d.w.dixon@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
This module is not approved as a discovery module
The module introduces students to the fundamental principles of engineering management (quality and project management) coupled with considerations of engineering ethics. Students will also complete a discovery lab through planning, management and delivery of practical lab work and the analysis of the data, designed to develop their critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
Define key engineering management principles including project scope and definition, risk and quality management.
Describe the stages of engineering design, management and discovery process.
Discuss the relationship between innovation, market needs, and technical feasibility.
Appraise ethical considerations in engineering management and innovation processes.
Explain common project management methodologies.
Apply project management tools to a discovery lab.
Implement experimental design principles in laboratory investigations.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Adopt an inclusive approach to engineering practice, recognising the responsibilities, benefits and importance of supporting equality, diversity and inclusion.
2. Understand and be able to apply knowledge of engineering management principles and techniques, including project and change management, and understand their limitations.
3. Be aware of quality assurance issues and their application to continuous improvement.
4. Have a knowledge and understanding of laboratory practice, and ability to operate bench scale chemical engineering equipment.
5. Be able to design, plan and undertake experimental or plant work and critically interpret, analyse and report on experimental data.
6. Have developed a range of effective communication skills.
7. Be able to find and apply, with judgement, information from technical literature and other sources.
8. Understand the principles of risk assessment and of safety management and be able to apply techniques for the assessment of process hazards.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills:
a. Work-Ready: Communication skills writing, presenting, representing the team
b. Enterprise: Project management skills scoping, planning, stakeholder management
c. Digital: use of AI in research and communication (use of AI, use of excel)
d. Work-Ready: Teamwork/Collaboration influencing, team roles, resource management.
e. Technical: Lab skills, experimental design, analysis and data interpretation
f. Work-Ready/Academic: Project work Problem solving & analytical skills, Critical & Creative thinking in application to Innovation.
Engineering Management:
Developing scope, managing resources, and planning time. Project objectives & quality, understanding teams, stakeholders, engineering ethics and managing expectations. Execution and risk management and communication of progress.
Discovery labs:
Structured lab followed by experimental design for discovery component.
Experimental design for implementation in lab practical.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 12 | 2 | 24 |
| Practical | 1 | 2.5 | 2.5 |
| Practical | 2 | 2.5 | 5 |
| Private study hours | 168.5 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 31.5 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
Formative feedback on student work on the discovery labs will be provided by academic staff during in-lab sessions (one session in S1 and two sessions in S2). In-class polling and engagement will be used as part of the lecture series on engineering management to provide formative feedback.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment | Ethics in Engineering Management | 15 |
| Assignment | Based on Discover Lab | 50 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 65 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) | 1.5 Hrs Mins | 35 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 35 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 19/05/2026
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