Postgraduate Certificate - Quarry Management and Operations (Lafarge / Holcim)

Transcription

1 Programme Specification (Postgraduate) Date amended: June Programme Title(s): Postgraduate Certificate - Quarry Management and Operations (Lafarge / Holcim) 2. Awarding body or institution: University of Leicester 3. a) Mode of study Part - time b) Type of study Distance Learning 4. Registration periods: The normal period of registration is 12 months The maximum period of registration is 24 months 5. Typical entry requirements: BSc degree from a UK University or an equivalent qualification, or APL / APEL equivalence to graduate skill set. Experience of the extractive industry is required and a current professional role in which course learning outcomes can be implemented and documented Satisfy the University s English Language requirements. 6. Accreditation of Prior Learning: N/A 7. Programme aims: The programme aims to provide graduate level employees of the partner companies with higher level knowledge and understanding of the scientific, technological, managerial and industrial context of the bulk extractive industries particularly aimed at the needs and legal responsibilities of existing and aspiring Quarry Managers, technical specialists and general managers employed by Lafarge Aggregates Limited (LAL) and Holcim PLC. It aims to meet the needs of the partner companies as part of their people development strategy while operating within the University s rigorous academic standards and UK Qualification Framework. In addition it also operates within a legal context governed by UK and European Quarry legislation. The course will be a fundamental tool in building capacity within the companies to achieve improved individual performance in the job role, career development and support succession planning. The programme is intended to build accredited high level operationally aware Managers within each company s talent pool as a means of driving individual and corporate performance.

2 By the end of the programme, students will have acquired a thorough high-level knowledge of business management and engineering technologies involved within the Partner company businesses, enhanced transferable skills such as communication, self-management, team working, and planning and developing strategic decision-making within the industry and business context. They will be able to reflect on their learning and apply it to their individual work context in order to improve performance and effectiveness. 8. Reference points used to inform the programme specification: QAA framework for higher education qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland - January 2001 QAA Code of practice for the assurance of academic quality and standards in HE (Postgraduate research programmes 2004) University s Learning and Teaching Strategy University of Leicester - General Regulations Quarry Regulations specifically The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Quarries) Regulations, 2008, Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005 and its General Application Regulations External Examiners Report Leeds University Company talent development strategy and aims. 9. Programme : Intended Learning (a) Subject and Professional skills Knowledge

3 Intended Learning The typical student will be able to : Demonstrate an advanced knowledge of the diverse scientific, technology and business principles that shape and control the aggregate extractive industries. Specifically: Demonstrate competence in managing the drilling and blasting operations on a hard rock quarry. Demonstrate competence in determining what sort of assessment is required for a slope stability appraisal in a quarry. Demonstrate the importance of the geological and hydrogeological setting of an aggregate resource and its impact on safety, operations and products. Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of quarry planning, design and operations. Demonstrate an understanding of the key drivers in legal compliance and raising the Health and Safety standards in operational quarries, and the ability to implement strategies to achieve this goal. Demonstrate an understanding of the key drivers in legal compliance and raising the environmental standards in operational quarries, and the ability to implement strategies to achieve this goal. Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of aggregate processing and process technology. Demonstrate the ability to identify problems which may occur in the processing of aggregate materials, and be able to determine cost effective solutions. Demonstrate a detailed knowledge of aggregate products and their properties, and be able to adjust the process to allow for variability in source material. Demonstrate the ability to change the product range in response to changes in the market. Demonstrate the importance of sustainability, biodiversity, energy efficiency and wider stakeholder engagement in the quarrying industry. Demonstrate the complex nature and inter-relationships within the aggregate value chain including how these affect new quarry development. Demonstrate the ability to use financial management and accounting techniques to assess the viability of a project and its impact on the business. Blackboard; residential presentations, case studies, fieldwork, on-line short answer and multiple choice tests, group and Formative and summative assessments including blackboard discussion forums, annotated PowerPoint presentations, written assignments, short answer examination and a technical project

4 Intended Learning Enhanced understanding of key concepts concerning the aggregate value chain from exploration and production to sales and business fundamentals. Ability to apply a wide range of field, calculation, numerical, analytical, financial and design techniques related to the aggregate business. Develop a critical awareness and evaluation of current research, issues and new insights in relation to the extractive industries. Ability to organise material in a manner appropriate to the audience and subject matter; to distinguish between relevant and non-relevant material; and to achieve a high standard of visual communication through powerpoint.. Ability to design and use methods of gathering, handling and analysing data and draw justified conclusions on industry relevant issues including using literature and technical resources, statistical techniques, spreadsheets and other relevant software. Concepts Blackboard; residential presentations, case studies, fieldwork, group and Techniques Blackboard; residential presentations, case studies, fieldwork, group and Critical analysis Directed reading, electronic resources including technical websites delivered via Blackboard; Presentation Guidance through distance learning materials and electronic resources delivered via Blackboard. Extensive feedback on initial presentations. Appraisal of evidence Directed reading, electronic resources, residential presentations, case studies, fieldwork, group and independent research Formative and summative assessments including blackboard discussion forums, annotated PowerPoint presentations, written assignments, on-line short answer and multiple choice tests and a technical project Blackboard discussion forums, annotated PowerPoint presentations, residential group work, written assignments, on-line short answer and multiple choice tests and a technical project Assignments and feedback, Blackboard discussion forums, written assignments, on-line short answer and multiple choice tests and a technical project Annotated PowerPoint presentations, with notes included to indicate what the student would deliver if actually presented. Assignments and a technical project Formulate questions and research hypotheses, order and synthesise data, communicate findings and conclusions to relevant audiences. Be aware of the ethical and political issues that impinge on research subject, methodology & findings. (b) Transferable skills Research skills Blackboard; presentations, group and Blackboard discussion forums, annotated PowerPoint presentations, written assignments, and a technical project

5 Intended Learning Ability to write competently in appropriate corporate and academic style with correct in-text and bibliographical referencing and organisation of content; Advanced report writing skills demonstrating the ability to write clearly and concisely and structure arguments effectively for different audiences, i.e. company report, dissertation. Ability to gather and sort through large amounts of information / data and critique/analyse Ability to give a competent oral presentation on findings before an informed professional / academic audience using PowerPoint and other relevant software. Effective team-working and ability to organise colleagues to find solutions to complex problems. Ability to evaluate own achievement and those of others. Ability to make effective decisions in complex and unpredictable situations presented by operational management in the quarrying industry. Communication skills Blackboard; residential presentations, case studies, fieldwork, group and Blackboard; case studies, independent research. Data presentation Residential materials, case studies, fieldwork, group and independent research. Working relationships Residential materials, case studies, fieldwork, group and independent research independent research Residential materials, case studies, fieldwork, group and independent project work Written assignments, technical project Written assignments, technical project Group activities during residential teaching sessions and reporting back to the larger group. Contribution to Blackboard discussion forums, annotated PowerPoint presentations Residential group work, independent feedback, case studies, project work. independent feedback, Regular contact and feedback from staff. Formative and summative, written assignments Residential group work, independent feedback, case studies, project work. Ability to work proactively, independently, efficiently and be self-directed both in their own learning and professional context, including ensuring continuing professional development. Showing initiative, selforganisation and timemanagement including meeting tight deadlines. Managing learning Group and independent problem solving and Project work. Assessments and assignments. Group and independent problem solving and Project work. Assessments and assignments. Regular contact and feedback from staff. Meeting assignment deadlines. Formative and summative, written assignments, and a technical project Regular contact and feedback from staff. Meeting assignment deadlines. Formative and summative, written assignments, and a technical project

6 Intended Learning Develop the ability to be selfreflective in both their studies and professional role, and able to apply the skills and knowledge gained to their own professional contexts. Career management Working with colleagues from a wide range of professional backgrounds, independent research, problem solving, projects and case studies. Contribution and self-reflections on own personal and professional development individually and through Blackboard group discussions. 10. Special features: There are a number of special features involved in a multi-national, blended learning, joint taught and assessed, specialist course of this type. The course provides the opportunity for students to combine their learning with their professional job role, embedding learning in these activities and using real workplace issues as a vehicle for their learning and study. This aligned study pathway ensures a rapid return on the investment in the student and visible and measureable improvement to the individual and partner companies. Company aims and objectives for the programme are met by the use of many real extractive industry operations as field teaching facilities, residentials for corporate and specialist network development, and aligned assessment methods to the company environment 11. Indications of programme quality: This course has run with several cohorts at the University of Leeds and received excellent reports from their external examiners in the areas of teaching and learning, assessment and student support. The partner companies are two of the world s largest aggregate companies. Each programme has a Steering Committee which includes academic members of the University of Leicester, together with senior training and operational managers from the partner company, reflecting the collaborative nature of the programmes. Many regional and national managers are involved in delivering or coaching aspects of the programme. They undertake regular reviews of the course content and delivery. Their continued sponsorship is clear evidence of the courses value and credibility. 12. Scheme of Assessment Award is Postgraduate Certificate Quarry Operations & management (Holcim / Lafarge) For the Scheme of Assessment for PG Certificate programmes, see Postgraduate Taught Programmes: General Regulations This programme follows the Scheme of Assessment B in the General Regulations with the course mark being the credit weighted average of the module marks. There is also an additional requirement to pass all three 20 credit modules with a mark of 50% or more. It will also be required to have completed successfully all coursework. 13. Progression points

7 14. Rules relating to re-sits or re-submissions: Students who fail to gain an overall pass mark (50%) in any module will be permitted one re-sit / resubmission of any failed pieces of assessed work. The retaken module mark is then capped at 50%. All modules must be passed for granting of the award. 15. Additional information [e.g. timetable for admissions] Two intakes one from each company per year (Lafarge start in April and Holcim in September). The cycle of the course is indicated in Figure 1 at the end of this document. Residential Programmes and contents attached External Examiners report attached More details of Syllabus see the Module Specifications (formal documentation) and the detailed company syllabi (more detailed and contains course structure). The conditions laid down by PDC will or have been satisfied. Employment conditions relating to the transfer of staff are built into the new Teaching Fellow contract, standard language requirements are to be used in student recruitment, course reviews will be scheduled and the IP issues have been addressed. Appendix 1: Programme structure (programme regulations) The programme comprises three modules of 20 credits each, each module being delivered over a 16 week period. Each module starts with a five week study period, during which they study the resource material, engage with on-line discussion topics and attempt a number of self-assessed questions. This is followed by a five day residential comprising a mixture of seminars, site visits and problem solving exercises, culminating in a short-answer examination. The module concludes with a nine week period of further study and completion of assessed assignments/projects. Examples of the details of individual module structure for Holcim can be found in the additional documents; AMC Course module 1 Syllabus, module 2 Syllabus and module 3 Syllabus. Module 1 Module 2 Module 3 GL7061 Aggregate Quarry Operations (20 credits) GL7062 Aggregate Processing Operations (20 credits) GL7063 Aggregate Business and Sustainable Management (20 credits) The way in which the two company programmes are structured in relation to each other over time is given in Figure 1 at the end of this document. Appendix 2: Module Specifications See module specification database

8 11-Apr Apr Apr-11 2-May-11 9-May May May May-11 6-Jun Jun Jun Jun-11 4-Jul Jul Jul Jul-11 1-Aug-11 8-Aug Aug Aug Aug-11 5-Sep Sep Sep Sep-11 3-Oct Oct Oct Oct Oct-11 7-Nov Nov Nov Nov-11 5-Dec Dec Dec Dec-11 2-Jan-12 9-Jan Jan Jan Jan-12 6-Feb Feb Feb Feb-12 5-Mar Mar Mar Mar-12 2-Apr-12 9-Apr Apr Apr Apr-12 7-May May May May-12 4-Jun Jun Jun Jun-12 2-Jul-12 9-Jul Jul Jul Jul-12 6-Aug Aug-12 Lafarge Mod 1 Reading Mod 1 Res Mod 1 Assign Mod 2 Reading Mod 2 Res Mod 2 Assign Mod 3 Reading Mod 3 Res Mod 3 Assign Holcim Mod 1 Reading Mod 1 Res Mod 1 Assign Mod 2 Reading Mod 2 Res Mod 2 Assign Mod 3 Reading Mod 3 Res Mod 3 Assign Figure 1. Course Cycle PG Certificate Quarry Operations & Management (Lafarge & Holcim)