Management and Information Systems – (M.Sc.)

Suitable for graduates keen to develop their careers in the application of information-based technologies to manufacturing and other industries. The part-time option will allow practitioners to extend their professional development within their current employment.

Takes you on to positions such as business systems analysts, management consultants, information systems managers, IT consultants, IS and e-commerce developers, knowledge managers, lecturers and researchers. Past students have progressed to positions of IT Director, Chief Information Officer and Managing Director.

You will be taught by experts from Cranfield and industry with substantial experience in teaching, project supervision, research and consultancy. The academics have published in leading journals and books and worked closely with world-class manufacturers.

Course descriptionThis multi-disciplinary and practical course prepares students for careers where the timely provision and management of information is essential to business success. It provides knowledge of both management and information systems, and closes the gap that exists in industrial, commercial and governmental organisations between managers who understand the business but are `frightened´ of the technology, and the `techies´ who are good at their jobs but have little knowledge of how to run a business.

The MSc course is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), and the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) for meeting the further learning requirements for Chartered Engineer registration.

The course objectives are achieved through a carefully integrated and structured series of eight one-week assessed modules, a group project and an individual project. 60% of the course involves industrial project work within UK organisations. In many cases this has led directly to employment opportunities with the companies concerned.

Group project

The group project provides students with the opportunity to take responsibility for a consultancy-type project, while working under academic supervision. Success is dependent on the integration of various activities and working within agreed objectives, deadlines and budgets. Experience gained is highly valued by both students and prospective employers. For part-time students a thesis usually replaces the group project.

Individual project

Students select the individual project in consultation with the Course Director. The individual project provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to carry out independent research, think and work in an original way, contribute to knowledge, and overcome genuine problems in management and IT systems. Many of the projects are supported by external organisations.

"I believe my time at Cranfield greatly boosted the chances of getting a good job at the end simply because of reputation and also the fact that 60% of my MSc Management and Information Systems was working with very well known companies."

Dev Patel, Management of Information Systems - Alumnus

Modules:The modules include lectures and tutorials and are assessed through written examinations and assignments. These modules provide the tools required for the group and individual projects:

* Business Management
* Enterprise Information Systems
* General Management
* Information Systems and e-Business
* Knowledge Management Systems
* Operations Analysis
* Operations Management
* Simulation and Programming