School of Life Sciences  
 
 
LSC-40023 Research and Business Skills, Project and Portfolio Management  
Co-ordinator: Prof David Hoole    Room: HUX027, Tel:33673  
Teaching Team: Mrs Stephanie  Everill, Ms Julie  Beard, Mrs Emma  Harvey, Mrs Karen  Babb, Dr Mark  Skidmore, Dr Sharon  George, Ms Clare  Sillitto, Mrs Pamela  Deaville  
Lecture Time: See Timetable...  
Level: 4 Credits: 15 Study Hours: 150  
School Office: Tel: 01782 734414
 
 
 
Programme/Approved Electives for

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Barred Combinations

None

Prerequisites

None in addition to programme requirements

Description

Research funding bodies and the environmental sector have identified a need at the post-graduate level to provide training in generic skills. In this module research and communication skills will be developed and experience in experimental design and data analysis, project management, communication skills, public understanding of science, career management, intellectual property rights, ethics will be gained. In addition, business can only afford to undertake Green initiatives if they are appropriately scoped and when it is understood how it contributes to business. To this end this module will also include project scope definition and management, integration management, and Business models and planning.

Aims

To provide a broad understanding of the context and practice of scientific enquiry in the research areas associated with sustainability agenda as well as an appreciation of key methods related to the field of interest. In addition, to provide an understanding and practice in scoping a project and assessing the proposals for green initiatives against an organisation's business situation.


Intended Learning Outcomes

demonstrate an understanding of research issues and apply these skills to the formulation of a grant proposal. will be achieved by assessments: 1
understand and apply the techniques required to define the scope of a project and map this to the product and process structures required to create the required outcomes. will be achieved by assessments: 2
synthesise after critically reviewing the project requirements an appropriate plan for both the project and the business for undertaking a typical green initiative will be achieved by assessments: 2








Study hours

Tutorials 10 hours
Lectures 10 hours
Tutorial Preparation 36 hours
Independent Study 94 hours


Description of Module Assessment

01: Research Proposal weighted 50%
Students will produce a small grant research proposal to a funding body appropiate to the environmental sector e.g. NERC
Students will be asked to follow the guidelines described by a UK national funding body e.g. NERC and produce information on project design and details, employment, consumables and equipment required, ethical considerations and a summary appropriate for the lay-person. Formative advise will be given by tutors and at the appropriate tutorial sessions.

02: Individual Report weighted 50%
Development of a project definition and a business proposal
Students will be required to write a project scope document (up to 3,500 words) and an outline business proposal (up to 1,000 words). A large proportion of the assessment requirement is graphical therefore these numbers are equivalents.


Version: (1.06B) Updated: 03/Mar/2013

This document is the definitive current source of information about this module and supersedes any other information.