Construction Management  MSc

Course Content

The taught part of the course is based on 10 modules, of which five are carefully chosen to provide a broad foundation in various aspects of the theory and practice in the field of general management. These modules are delivered by academic staff members of Cass Business School. They constitute part of the curriculum for the Cass MSc in Management, a degree run by Cass Business School which is currently ranked 2nd in the UK and 3rd in Europe (2010-2011). The five management modules are complemented by five construction-oriented modules delivered by senior professional engineers with wide experience in the construction industry. The latter set of modules cover important aspects in the practice of planning, financing, and delivering large scale civil engineering and infrastructure projects. These modules focus on the development of practical management skills within a construction context.

The culmination of the course is the Project: a major individual research exercise on a topic within the broad area of construction management conducted under the direction of a supervisor. The major product of the Project work is a written report (dissertation). The topics/titles for this major Project can be chosen from: (a) a list suggested by the lecturers of the course, (b) students' own ideas/initiatives, or (c) where applicable by a student's sponsoring company/industrial partner.

Course Structure

• Organisational Behaviour and HRM
• Operations and Information Management
• Project planning and management
• Project Finance and infrastructure funding
• Corporate governance
• Advanced practice of management
• Sustainable development, and corporate social responsibility
• Leadership and management skills
• ICT for construction management
• International construction contracts and arbitration

Completion of modules and examinations will lead to the award of a Post Graduate Diploma. The completion of modules, examinations and a dissertation will lead to the award of the MSc.

The MSc comprises 180 credits, with 60 credits awarded to the Project. Attendance is required to obtain 120 credits from the taught modules. This can be achieved by one of two methods:

Full-time

A 12-month Full-Time option during which students attend all the taught modules during Semesters 1 & 2, and complete their Project within the 12-months period of the degree

Part-Time

A 24-month Part-Time option during which a student attends half the modules in a first 12-month period, followed by the other half the next year. Students are expected to complete all the modules in this two year period. The teaching periods are structured to deliver core modules in a sequence which permits engagement by P-T students alongside F-T students. The Project is undertaken by Part-Time students in the second year.

Teaching takes place on 2 full days per week, with some lectures (Law) taking place in the evening. In addition there is a small number of team-working weekends, plus a Foundation Week at the start of the programme each year, which is attended by all (Full- and Part-Time) students. This method of delivery is designed to be attractive to students working full-time within reasonable commuting distance of City University (probably within the M25 cordon), as well as to Full-Time students, by concentrating tuition into two days per week on average, and encouraging flexibility for independent study.