Course description
The course is offered via full time (one year), part time (two years) and attendance free distance learning (two or three years). Part time students attend classes on a day-release basis. Many of our part time and distance learning students are in highly demanding employment. These students can opt to reduce the level of study per year and increase the study period to a maximum of six years, thus gaining a respected postgraduate degree whilst contributing to the CPD requirements of their professional bodies.
Full-time and part-time students start in early October. For distance learning study, the main start date is in early October but there are two additional start dates in early January and May. Students typically complete a coursework assignment for each module studied; sit module examinations in April of each year of study; and work on their dissertation or project report from May to September. Arrangements can be made for distance learning students to sit exams at a number of centres throughout the world.
Distance learning students receive comprehensive module study packs by post. A PC with e-mail and Internet access is necessary for those students to gain the fullest learning experience from the course.
For the MSc, students undertake eight taught modules (4 CN & 4 CE) plus the research dissertation. For a Postgraduate Diploma, students must complete seven modules plus a project. Students can opt to complete a total of six modules and graduate with the Heriot-Watt University Postgraduate Certificate. Each taught module requires 120 hours and the dissertation requires 840 hours.
Overview
The nature of many civil engineering projects means that there is a need for today's engineers to have a good understanding of construction management due to the strategic benefits it can bring to both individuals and project teams. As the industry becomes more competitive, organisations and their clients are increasingly demanding the combined time, cost and quality assurances that good project management practice provides. Furthermore, the industry now recognises that there is a need for engineers to gain specialist technical knowledge which complements their academic and professional background.
Taught from the perspective of construction project management, and backed by specialist civil engineering material, this course provides students with a solid theoretical base coupled with knowledge of current/future strategies in civil engineering project management. It is focussed on industrial relevance, ensuring that graduates of the course are quickly able to make a positive and effective contribution to the success of their working environment and professional careers. The core modules are:
* Business Management
* Project Management: Theory & Practice
* Value & Risk Management
Students choose four electives (subject to timetable restrictions for full/part time modes) from:
* Systems Reliability
* Structural Safety & Reliability
* Structural Analysis
* Fire Safety, Explosion & Process Safety
* Urban Drainage Design & Analysis
* Sustainability in Civil Engineering
* Topics in Environmental Geotechnics
* Earthquake Engineering
* Transport Systems
One option from:
* Contracts & Procurement
* Construction Financial Management
* Management & Organisation of People
* Project Management: Strategic Issues
* Project Management Case Study
