Engineering Management MSc Distance learning

1 Year Full-Time: 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 by Distance Learning: 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 requirment to attend lectures at Brunel University and there is no set timetable of lectures, instead you follow a structured programme of self-study at home or at work. This gives you the freedom to arrange a work programme to suit yourself and you should usually allow about twelve hours each week for study.

• There are set submission dates for assignments but we have tried to design the programme so that they are well-spaced, giving you the maximum flexibility in your study plans.

• You can take between three and five years to complete the course. The average 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.

• You are supplied with a study pack in the form of textbooks and CD-ROMs; you have assignments to submit and exams to sit each year.

• 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. Examinations are held in May each year.

Compulsory Modules

• Logistics and Global Supply Chain Management: 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.
• Manufacturing Systems Design and Economics: This module looks at advanced aspects of:

• Manufacturing processes including description, analysis and classification of basic manufacturing processes; capabilities, recent advances and developments, assembly systems, automation, robotics and CNC machines, CAD/CAM application.

• Production operations including plant layout, group technology, cellular manufacturing and flexible manufacturing systems. Lean manufacturing techniques, Kaizen, KANBAN, JIT, 5S, seven wastes, Poke Yoke, value chain supply chain managment and outsourcing and design reuse. Inventory control and MRP, and quality control.

• Design for manufacture and process selection:including the relationship between design features annd process capablities, manufacturing system selection to produce a given design.

• Economics for manufacture: including inventory costing, Economic Order Quantities, costingmachine tool selection and cost of production strategy.

• Quality Management and Reliability: 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 the 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. The module also 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.
• Managing People and Organisations: 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.
• Project Management: This module aims to give you a comprehensive understanding and critical awareness of the latest advanced techniques and strategies for project management, including management tools, management and reporting methods and team building. Opportunities are provided to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, qualities, skills and other attributes in these areas. A number of specific areas are covered including contract law and health and safety. The module ends with project auditing to establish performance and project closure.
• Dissertation: 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.
• Systems Modelling and Simulation: 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.

Optional Modules (choose two)

• Advanced Manufacturing Measurement: The module will provide an understanding and critical awareness to designing and controlling modern automated manufacturing systems, and employs a systems approach in doing so. The module provides an exposure to a variety of industrial and factory automation practices, and also an understanding in selecting appropriate automation and control methods for the equipment or process at hand. You will be able to:

• Understand the criticality and importance of automation and robotics in the modern industrial environment.

• Understand the issues and differences in automation practices between discrete and process industries.

• Apply current technical knowledge in, and operating a modern manufacturing system.

• Critically analyse manufacturing systems and specify select suitable approaches for control, and to evaluate and justify an automated system.

• Sustainable Design and Manufacture: Students will be taught methodologies for assessment sustainability of a product design, and methodologies for assessing the sustainability of manufacturing procedures and operations. The module has a practical orientation, and at the same time offers common analytical tools for assessment to be used in the design and manufacturing environment.
• Global Manufacturing: 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 organisations and 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.
• Robotics and Manufacturing Automation: The module aims to provide understanding and critical awareness for designing and controlling modern automated manufacturing systems, and employs a systems approach in doing so. The module provides exposure to a variety of industrial and factory automation practices, and also an understanding in selecting appropriate automation and control methods for the equipment or process at hand.
• Financial Management: The module content will include the nature and strategic role of financial management including sources of finance:

• The flow of money: cash flow cycle, measures of liquidity, working capital.

• Financial feasibility: breakeven analysis; contribution; sensitivity analysis.

• Principal financial statements: key definitions; structure and layouts.

• Operating performance: relationships between the balance sheet and P&L account; key ratios.

• Investment appraisal: principles and techniques.

• Financial analysis: key concepts and ratios.

• Business Planning based on resource and cost estimation.

Read more about the structure of postgraduate degrees at Brunel and what you will learn on the course.

Recent examples of dissertations by students taking this course include:

• 'An analysis of the benefits of eCommerce on SMEs and its role in supply chain management'.

• 'Implementing activity-based costing in the health care industry'.

• 'Marketing in the digital age: the adoption of information technology and the internet'.

• 'Manufacturing principles in a high mix, low volume environment'.

• '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'.