MSc Marine Operations Management

Inductio

The programme begins with a compulsory two week induction providing you with the opportunity to access and familiarise yourself with our state of the art online learning portal and other available resources. There are some compulsory short exercises during this period to allow introductions to the programme, faculty and fellow peers.

Module 1

Management Skills for Marine Operations

Within the industry, you will face a range of challenges that go beyond professional technical expertise, including the ability to work with people (including clients, partners, principals and co-workers) and the understanding of how their different roles impact strategic imperatives, especially market standing and profitability.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

• Critically analyse key elements of the processes of managing operations, resources and relationships as appropriate
• Make effective use of key management theories and concepts as applied in complex marine environments
• Evaluate and apply contemporary developments in theory and practice in the industry
• Make effective use of tools and techniques in managing inter-personal relationships
• Design and implement plans for the effective deployment of human and physical resources in a range of projects as appropriate
• Contribute effectively to firm wide strategic plans and policy

Course Content

• Organisations: structures, cultures, teams
• Managing interpersonal relationships: power, influence, authority, delegation, negotiation
• Managing resources: using performance information, resource planning, project management
• Strategic management: analysing environments and markets, strategic decision making
• Responsibility: corporate responsibility, business ethics

Module 2

Ship Design & Systems

The challenges facing the modern maritime industry revolve around advancements in material science set against an industry context where environmental protection is increasingly a key operational consideration. Globalisation means that standards, regulations and compliance are set at globally agreed minimum standards, and the on-board management team are also tackling technical, cultural, and human elements as well as operations issues.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

• Critically evaluate the impact of existing and new technology on the safe and efficient operation of a marine vessel/structure over its life cycle in the context of marine operational management
• Analyse the extent and range of the cultural awareness required and the impact on marine operations (or marine accidents) now and in the near future
• Make effective judgement about how increasing efficiency will impact upon the environmental footprint of the maritime industry
• Extend student's own technological capability by evaluating how naval architecture, vessel construction and marine engineering systems come together in the efficient design of a vessel/structure
• Evaluate and develop the effectiveness of a range of skills relative to operating a marine vessel/structure or investigating a marine accident
• Critically judge the extent of the remedial action required for a given failure/accident
• Analyse the most appropriate use of a variety of communication techniques used when reporting to principals or stakeholders

Course Content

• Design of ships and marine structures: choice of materials, machinery and manufacturing techniques
• Consideration of the impact of the development of solutions for implementing new and emerging technologies upon a new build
• Personal development as a marine professional: knowledge of industry and new technologies

Depending on subject pathway, a student will also study

• Marine operations technology: the design stage, vessel operation, safety and life cycle requirements, scrappage and the role of class and flag
• (Marine Surveying, Small Craft Surveying, Ship Superintendency, Marine Engineering, Offshore Floating Units)
• OR
• Marine accident investigations: available technology for completing investigations, and emerging trends in accident causes
• (Marine Accident Investigation)

Module 3

Optimising Business Performance

This module will build students' knowledge and skills in projects mastery, research and development (R&D) and innovation within the context of shipping logistics, to improve supply chain function. The objective is to provide awareness, knowledge, skills and insight into the organisation's need for constant attention to technical, cultural, social and environmental change in the global shipping and logistics sectors.

Learning Outcomes


Upon successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

• Explain the role of shipping in the modern global supply chain
• Understand the role of R&D in a range of shipping and logistics scenarios, and select R&D projects that reflect innovation and the management of change in a global service industry
• Apply key logistics concepts within the context of maritime trade
• Develop new lean supply chains, and analyse and effectively challenge the barriers to change in mature supply chains
• Systematically target and manage the logistics project to deliver innovation within the global industry

The module will call for the succesful student to demonstrate an advanced capability in the following ares:

• Implementing R&D initiatives within the context of technical, cultural, social and environmental change within the global shipping and logistics sectors
• Sustaining independent learning at Master's level, including innovatory insight and project mastery related to shipping and logistics
• Conducting independent learning from personal feedback in supplying innovatory solutions for the management of change in a mature service industry
• Critically evaluate the relevance of information drawn from a full range of sources, including academic journals and practitioner literature, demonstrating the ability to derive intellectual and professional benefits
• Delivering skills in leadership, team work, problem solving and project management within shipping and logistics
• Appraising and improving the performance of shipping in the global supply chain

Course Content

• The economic and technical challenges within the supply chain
• The political and environmental domain
• The technical development of modern shipping in the supply chain
• Supply and demand led R&D - economics of scale
• Testing and modifying R&D
• Pure & applied paths to innovation: speed, volume, distance, value, security, inventory management
• Cultural approaches to innovation in a mature service industry
• Surveying the innovative seascape - information and automation in the supply chain
• The S-curve in innovation - shipping and just-in-time distribution operations
• The project portfolio and life cycle, and inventory management principles
• Delivering quality in logistics from idea incubation to delivery
• Project mastery: leadership and teamwork in innovation
• Project planning and allocating resources in the management of change
• Project completion, closure and reflective practice

Applied Project

The Applied Project can provide extensive benefits to both you and your organisation. You will have the opportunity to develop further and integrate your skills and knowledge gained on the programme by undertaking a major, extended piece of research on an aspect of marine operations of your choice.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate a systematic understanding informed by current research and relevant professional practice of topics pertaining to marine operations
• Evaluate the respective strengths and weaknesses of alternative research methods, and procedures and techniques that have been employed by previous researchers
• Demonstrate how original research relates to an existing body of knowledge and scholarship on a topic
• Illustrate and critically evaluate the various purposes for different kinds of context in which research is undertaken
• Apply critical research skills and conduct research into a substansive marine operations issue or problem
• Critically analyse and synthesise the research literature in the chose field
• Develop an appropriate research design, select appropriate research methods and operationalise associated concepts
• Synthesise theoretical material and ideas from different sources and embed that material in an argument which is an original application of knowledge to a specific issue
• Undertake systematic collection, analysis, interpretation and extrapolation of quantitative and/or qualitative data in a marine operations context
• Evaluate options for management action related to findings from the relevant field of research
• Communicate the aims, methods, finding and implications of a specific piece of advanced research in an academically/professionally appropriate written style

Course Content

The project represents an opportunity for students to extend their knowledge of a selected topic and apply it to the management of a marine operations situation through research. Students will be assessed against their ability to complete the following criteria:

• Formulating, clarifying and selecting a research topic
• Methods and purpose of literature review
• Key research methods
• Developing research proposals
• Writing and presenting research findings