Programme Specification
INFORMATION MANAGEMENT AND BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of
the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be
expected to achieve and demonstrate if full advantage is taken of the learning
opportunities that are provided. More detailed information on the learning outcomes,
content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each module can be
found in Module Specifications and other programme documentation and online at
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/admin/ar
The accuracy of the information in this document is reviewed by the University and
may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.
Awarding body/institution;
Loughborough University
Teaching institution (if different);
Details of accreditation by a
professional/statutory body;
Name of the final award;
MSc, PGDip, PGCert
Programme title;
Information Management and Business
Technology
UCAS code;
n/a
Date at which the programme
specification was written or
revised.
March 2010
1. Programme aims:
The aims of the programme are to enable students to:
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Acquire critical reading and research skills appropriate to researching issues
of information management and business technologies within the workplace;
Develop a critical understanding of the role and significance of both being an
information technology specialist and a business generalist;
Complete a self-directed and managed piece of research exploring the
relationship of information management and business technologies;
Develop a critical understanding of the ongoing impacts of both information
management and business technology dimensions on the workplace;
Enhance employment skills, with particular reference to employment in
positions where awareness of information management and business
technology are essential.
Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external and internal
reference points used to inform programme outcomes:
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QAA Subject Benchmark Statement for Librarianship and Information
Management (2007)
http://www.qaa.ac.uk/academicinfrastructure/benchmark/statements/librarians
hip07.pdf
The Response of The Library Association to the Institute for Learning and
Teaching The National Framework for Higher Education Teaching
(http://www.la-hq.org.uk/directory/prof_issues/iltnf.html)
Loughborough University, Learning and Teaching Strategy
(http://www.lboro.ac.uk/admin/ar/policy/learning_and_teaching/)
Loughborough University Department of Information Science, Learning and
Teaching Strategy
https://internal.lboro.ac.uk/sci/ls/dept/L&T%20documents/Learning%20and%2
0Teaching%20Strategy%20revised%20Feb02.doc
Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in England, Wales and
Northern Ireland
Annual and Periodic Programme Review
External Examiners' reports
Staff-Student committees
3. Programme Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
On successful completion of this programme, students will be able to show
knowledge and understanding of:
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the principles and practice of information and business technology
management
the relationship between traditionally technology-independent areas of an
organisation and non-technical business areas
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be
achieved and demonstrated:
The programme is delivered by lectures (including visual aids, audio and audio-visual
materials), group tutorials (linked to lecture topics), seminars (based on shared
readings and exercises), podcasts, one-to-one tutorials (for advice on assignments
and supervision of dissertations). Students are required to work individually (typically
for researching and writing essays and conducting the dissertations) and also in
groups (typically on specific readings or presentation topics). Students will be
provided with handbooks on departmental procedures, while module handbooks will
provide details of lectures, tutorials, study guidelines, guided reading, assignments
and assessment.
All core modules provided are designed to be connected to provide a base from
which students can conduct their own research, with increasing scope for individual
originality integrated into the programme.
Skills and other attributes
Subject-specific cognitive skills
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:
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Appreciate the range of methods used to manage the relationship between
traditionally technology-independent areas of an organisation and nontechnical business areas
Understand, by applying appropriate theory, practices and tools for the
specification, design and implementation of information systems
Understand, by applying technical and managerial concepts, theories and
evidence to analyse business information and knowledge networks within
organisations
Understand information and knowledge management policies and strategies
that enhance effectiveness in organisations
Successfully complete an original piece of research on information
management and business technology dovetailing both theoretical rigour and
solid analysis
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be
achieved and demonstrated:
The modules will be taught by professionals from varying disciplines (e.g. computer
and information scientists, and business analysts) who will draw upon their collective
expertise and experience of research into business technologies and the overall
management of information in organisations. The expression of different views and
debate amongst students will be encouraged throughout the programme.
Throughout the programme, alternative frameworks and research strategies are
compared and evaluated, with coursework assignments designed to give students
the opportunity to exhibit their knowledge of the complex landscape of the
relationship between traditionally technology-independent areas of an organisation
and non-technical business areas, in order to understand and handle both sides of
the equation in a more integrated fashion.
Assessment of intellectual and cognitive skills such as critical reasoning and
argumentative communication is combined with assessment of knowledge and
understanding throughout the programme.
Subject-specific practical skills
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:
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Critically evaluate and select management tools and techniques for a given
project
Successfully model the requirements of information systems using
appropriate modelling tools
Manage and assess user requirements for collaborative technologies using a
range of qualitative methods
Successfully apply a systems approach to problem structuring and problem
solving within a business enterprise framework
Manage the process of identifying and documenting risks associated with the
development process and with target systems
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be
achieved and demonstrated:
Students will gain experience of collecting business and information requirements
through assessed coursework projects designed to explore the way that different
methods can be used to answer specific research questions. Coursework will also
evaluate skills of collecting, synthesising and writing-up different technical and
information theories and literatures. Students are advised on accessing library
materials and using the Internet as a source of secondary data. UCINET, UML, and
other analytical software tools are taught in practical workshops. Guidance is given
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on the use of academic conventions and modes of presentation for producing
assessed work.
Generic skills
On successful completion of this programme, students will have developed their:
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Communication skills: writing, dissemination and media skills
Oral presentation skills for seminars, workshops and conferences
Research management and time management skills
Bibliographic and computing skills
Decision-making ability in complex and unpredictable situations
Independent learning ability required for continuing professional development.
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be
achieved and demonstrated
Practice at critical reading, interpretation of various kinds of data, individual research,
essay and report writing is encouraged through coursework assignments. Group
work and classroom practicals develop collaborative skills. Students are also
advised to schedule work carefully in order to meet deadlines and cope with the
various demands upon their time.
4. Programme structures and requirements, levels, modules, credits and
awards:
The programme runs for twelve months, full time (October to September); it is also
available as flexible, part-time study, with a maximum period of eight years for
completion. The awards of Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate may
be gained from full-time study for nine months or one semester respectively, full time,
or a maximum of five years and three years respectively, part time.
The programme content is divided into eight 15-credit modules, plus a 60-credit
dissertation. In both semester one and two, the modules are taught over two-week
periods. Students must register for 180 credits for the award of MSc, 120 credits for
the award of Postgraduate Diploma and 60 credits for the award of Postgraduate
Certificate. The awards of Postgraduate Diploma and Postgraduate Certificate may
be upgraded to the higher awards by means of accumulation of additional credit.
Full details can be found in the Programme Regulations at:
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/admin/ar/lps/progreg/year/1011/docs/Information%20M
anagement%20&%20Business%20Technology%20MSc.docx
5. Criteria for admission to the programme
Please see the online prospectus for more information:
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/prospectus/pg/courses/dept/is/imbt/index.htm
All applicants resident in the UK are invited for an Open Day and interview.
6. Information about assessment
Assessment is by coursework and examination. MSc students must accumulate a
minimum of 150 credits, plus 30 credits at a minimum mark of 40%. Students have
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the right of reassessment on one occasion only, if they fail to meet the minimum
requirement. Reassessment is provided for during the University’s Special
Assessment Period, with the exception of the Dissertation module, or during the
following academic year.
Full details can be found in the Programme Regulations at
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/admin/ar/lps/progreg/year/0910/index.htm.
7. What makes the programme distinctive?
The programme has been developed with industry (Royal Bank of Scotland, RollsRoyce, AstraZeneca, Citi, BAe Systems and SAP), to provide graduates with hybrid
information management and business technology knowledge and experience.
There is currently a shortage of hybrid managers within industry. The ones that exist
have had to learn the required skills over twenty to thirty years. The programme,
which will include lectures delivered by industrial partners, will provide students with
the opportunity to fast-track themselves through the traditionally long process of
becoming a hybrid manager. State of the art modules have been developed using the
combined expertise of Loughborough University and industry based partners.
8. Particular support for learning:
Information on learning support is held at
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/admin/ar/templates/notes/lps
9. Methods for evaluating and improving the quality and standards of
learning:
The University’s formal quality management and reporting procedures are laid out in
its Academic Quality Procedures Handbook, available online at:
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/admin/ar/policy/aqp/index.htm
March 2010
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