Manufacturing Management – (M.Sc.)

Contents

Core modules
Financial Control

This module explains the concepts of quality, reliability, and maintenance in a business and manufacturing environment. Students will be introduced to a range of topics including systems and reliability management and how to manage quality and maintenance in a manufacturing and operational environment. As part of this course, students will be expected to design, carry out analytical work on case studies, and utilise scenarios and simulation to support their learning.

Intergrated Product Engineering

To achieve and maintain market position, manufacturing industry must develop profitable and competitive products in time, to quality and within budget. This requires all operational functions of the company to be organised to achieve common objectives. This module examines the organisational aspects of product development from corporate aims and product strategy through design, manufacturing engineering and into production. The module comprises product portfolios management, development strategy, development planning and the process of product development. Aspects of management practice and the application of tools and techniques are taught.

MSc Projects

The Masters Project is a key integrating feature of the programme. It is designed to challenge and develop critical thinking skills at a post-graduate level. It provides the student with the opportunity to bring together and apply much of what they have learnt both in their undergraduate and postgraduate studies. Potential projects are identified with the support of staff across the school covering a wide range of appropriate areas. Some will be based in industry, others based within our own laboratories. Students are supported through the delivery of an initial short course training programme designed to equip them with the necessary project management, research methodology, investigation tools and analysis skills necessary to undertake a Masters level project. They will also be allocated and supported by individual project supervisor. It is expected that the project will require 600 hours of student effort and will result in a worthwhile and practical contribution to the chosen subject area.

Manufacturing Information Systems

By studying this module the students will gain an understanding of the role of integrated information systems relevant to manufacturing organisation. Through applications of systems analysis and design techniques, the students will be able to develop skills in systems modelling techniques, project management and acquire a broad understanding of networking topologies and eCommerce with relevant applications.

Manufacturing Strategy

By studying this module the students will gain an understanding of the need for deployment of a successful and integrated manufacturing strategy. Through lectures, case studies and group discussion, the students will develop their knowledge and understanding of how successful manufacturing strategies for competitive advantage could be designed and deployed, taking into account; - the human resource issues, resistance to change, technology and process influences and constraints.

Operations Management

This module will cover the fundamentals and strategic aspects of operations management and will enable the students to develop their understanding of operational processes, techniques, planning and control systems. Students will examine case studies relating to both manufacturing and service operations to support lectures and guided learning.

Operations Research

What makes the difference between a good decision and a bad decision? A 'good' decision is one that uses analytical decision making, and is based on logic and considers all available data and possible alternatives. Engineers and managers are decision makers, thus to achieve their goals, they must understand how decisions are made and know of which decision-making tools to use. To a great extent the success or failure of human resources and management depends on the quality of their decisions. Therefore, this module determines that with the use and implementation of good operations research decision-making tools, then the process of decision making should be made easier.