LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY
Programme Specification
MSc Construction Innovation & Management
MSc Engineering Innovation and Management
(part-time)
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/
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
Department;
Teaching institution (if different);
Details of accreditation by a
professional/statutory body;
Name of the final award;
MSc
Programme titles;
Construction Innovation & Management
Engineering Innovation and Management
UCAS code;
Date at which the programme
specification was written or
revised.
24th May 2006
1. Aims of the programme:
This programme aims to:
 Provide a high quality educational experience that develops and sustains
students' knowledge skills and aspirations in the further advancement of their
career with the construction industry.
 Provide are range of elective modules that students can select to suit their
individual needs.
 Produce construction personnel who are able to a more holistic perspective to
construction and processes becoming more integrated throughout the supply
chain.
 Provide postgraduates with an innovative and forward-looking view of
engineering and project management.
 Provide students with an appreciation and understanding of each aspect
managing the whole life cycle of a project from inception to completion and the
successful realisation of project objectives.
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Provide an excellent combination of engineering, business and IT related
subjects.
Provide students with an opportunity to develop their key transferable skills,
business management skills and project management skills.
2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external and internal
reference points used to inform programme outcomes:
Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external and internal
reference points used to inform programme outcomes:
External References:
- The programme outcomes have been formulated with reference to the QAA
benchmark statements in Building & Surveying and Engineering.
- The programme has been put forward for accreditation under the
RICS/University Partnership Scheme for which it must meet quality
thresholds relating to TQA, RAE and employment.
Internal References:
- University teaching & learning
- Departmental matrix of criteria for postgraduate management programmes
developed from the external reference points listed above.
3. Intended Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding:
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to
demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
1. the needs of typical clients recognising the importance of internal and
external client alignment;
2. the development process within which projects are conceived and
designed;
3. the concepts and relations of value, rewards, risk and profit;
4. the concepts of sustainability, environmental impact and whole life value;
5. the concepts behind creative and innovative thinking;
6. the importance of benchmarking and other techniques for establishing and
setting realistic performance standards and targets;
7. the legal issues surrounding engineering projects;
8. the management of organisations and projects through the application of
appropriate quality processes and systems;
9. the development and improvement of quality processes and systems
leading to the application of best practice;
10. the management and improvement of supply chains recognising the
potential conflict of suppliers' risk and commercial aspirations with the
project objectives;
11. the principles and importance of information technology; and
12. the management of Information Technology.
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be
achieved and demonstrated:
The programme has been designed around a range of carefully selected
learning and teaching strategies. These have been selected to ensure that
students are encouraged to question current practice, be innovative and
achieve deeper learning and reflective thinking. The teaching strategies
include, lectures, tutorials, workshops, practical sessions and flexible
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learning. Many of the students on the programme have considerable
industrial experience and group work is used to encourage students to learn
from their different experience and backgrounds. Coursework is used as
formative assessments. Feedback is provided to students on all of the
coursework produced. End of semester examinations are used as summative
assessment.
Students will learn, through formal lectures, about the theory and practical
aspects behind the various topics. Considerable attention will be given to
fundamental human and organisational behaviour as these provide the
building blocks from which the students' are expected to develop their own
perspectives. Students are expected and encouraged to undertake
independent reading both to supplement and consolidate on what is being
taught and to broaden their individual and collective knowledge and
understanding of the subject. They are expected to apply this knowledge and
understanding in a creative and innovative way. Coursework assessments
have been developed to encourage students to take a logical and structured
approach to the applications of this knowledge and understanding.
Skills and other attributes:
a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:
1. demonstrate a high level of competence in identifying, defining and
solving engineering and related management problems;
2. demonstrate a high level of competence in developing effective business,
project and engineering strategies;
3. develop techniques and strategy policy for the management of and
participation in project alliances;
4. select and apply appropriate computer-based methods for modelling and
analysing engineering and related management problems;
5. be creative and innovative in the development of engineering related
management solutions;
6. demonstrate proficiency in the evaluation and integration of information
and processes through individual and group work;
7. display the skills necessary to define, investigate, research and report on
an original engineering management related problem;
8. integrate and evaluate management information and data from a variety of
sources;
9. design and develop efficient and effective processes within the global
concept of project management;
10. edit and translate brief inputs to tangible project criteria;
11. critically analyse existing engineering project delivery mechanisms and
demonstrate how lessons can be learnt form completed projects and other
industries; and
12. integrate current theoretical and practical aspect of management and
industrial relations.
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be
achieved and demonstrated:
Cognitive skills are developed through the learning and teaching programme
outlined above and the selection of programme structure. The programme
comprises elective modules which students select according to their individual
desired learning outcomes. Research skills are developed through
coursework activities and individual research project work.
b. Subject-specific practical skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:
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1. apply appropriate management tools, techniques, models and packages
for analysing and resolving engineering and related management
problems;
2. apply appropriate planning and control techniques at both strategic and
operational levels;
3. apply appropriate financial appraisal tools and techniques;
4. apply financial accounting procedures and produce financial reports;
5. apply contemporary best practice for the site management of major
construction projects;
6. produce estimates and cash flow forecasts;
7. produce engineering related risk evaluations;
8. apply and demonstrate best value; and
9. apply integrated project planning and control techniques.
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be
achieved and demonstrated:
Through formal lectures students will learn about the theory and practical
aspects behind the subject-specific practical skills. Tutorials and practical
sessions are used to develop these skills. A combination of group and
individual coursework is set to further develop these skills. The key specific
practical skills are assessed through a combination of coursework and end of
semester examination. All of the specific practical skills rely on the
application of the key transferable skills resulting in the further development of
the key transferable skills.
c. Key/transferable skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:
1. communicate effectively and professionally using written and oral skills;
2. use IT effectively (WP, spreadsheet, databases, presentations, email,
WWW and specialist project management software);
3. solve problems in a logical and systematic manner;
4. manage workloads and time effectively;
5. work independently;
6. work in a team environment;
7. lead and facilitate team activities;
8. work with limited and/or contradictory information;
9. work towards life-long learning.
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be
achieved and demonstrated:
The development of key transferable skills is seen as critical to successful
student learning on the programme. These key transferable skills will provide
students adaptability in their future career but are an important foundation off
which further learning is founded upon.
Through formal lectures students will learn about the theory and practical
aspects of teamwork, leadership, effective time management, structured
problem solving, working with limited/ contradictory information and IT
applications. The aims of modules such as: Information Technology
Applications; Innovation, Research and Communications, which programmed
into the first semester, are to improve students' key transferable skills.
 Practical sessions are used to develop and improve students IT skills.
 Group coursework is used throughout the programme to improve and
assess key transferable skills such as teamwork, leadership and group
facilitation.
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Individual coursework, especially the individual research project, is used
to improve and assess key transferable skills such working independently
and communication.
Coursework is also set to develop and assess students' ability to work
with limited and/or contradictory information and solve problems in a
logical and systematic manner.
Oral presentation skills are developed and assessed through both group
and individual presentation for which the students are expect to reflect
upon their own practice sessions
Students are provided with a coursework schedule at the start of each
semester and are expected to plan and control their workloads
accordingly.
Experiential learning is achieved through coursework designed to
specifically assess students' achievement with respect to all of the stated
key transferable skills.
The University's Flexible Learning Centre also provides a wide range of
material to support students' development of key transferable skills.
Students experiencing communication difficulties may be referred to The
English Language Support Unit for additional help.
Life-long learning skills are developed throughout the programme and
through such techniques as peer assessment students are encourage to
develop a reflective approach to their learning.
Some of the key transferable skills are assessed through end of semester
examination.
4. Programme structures and requirements , levels, modules, credits and
awards:
The programme can be taken on a part-time basis. The Programme is the
responsibility of the Department of Civil and Building Engineering and leads to the
award of:
 an MSc -180 credits;
 a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip)- 120 credits; or
 a Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) - 60 credits.
5. Criteria for admission to the programme:
The minimum entry requirement for an MSc is either:
 a first degree in a construction-related subject;
 a first degree and two years construction related experience;
 a chartered professional qualifications; or
 equivalent experience plus academic qualifications
6. Information about assessment regulations:
Students are assessed on each module using a combination of coursework and
examination. Both individual and group work is used as part of the assessment.
Assessment normally takes place at the end of the semester the module is taught in.
Some one-week block modules are assessed when the student next attends. An
individual research project is assessed at the end of the programme. Reassessment
takes place during the University's Special Assessment Period. Full programme
regulations are attached as an appendix.
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7. Indicators of quality:
The Department scored an excellent 22 out of 24 in the latest External Subject
Review. In the 2001 RAE, the Department was rated grade 5* under Built
Environment.
8. Particular support for learning:
Please refer to
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
These are under the overall direction of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching).
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