MSc in Human Resource Management and Organisational Behaviour 人 力 資 源 管 理 及 組 織 行 為 學 碩 士 課 程 Department of Management August 2014 1
Part I: General Information 1. Introduction The MSc in Human Resource Management (HRM) and Organisational Behaviour (OB) Programme is offered and managed by the Department of Management, Lingnan University. This full-time programme began in September 2010. The normal study duration for the programme is one year full time. The programme aims to equip students, entering either with business degrees or non-business degrees, with the necessary management competencies to pursue careers in human resource management and leadership. 2. Host and Contributing Departments Host Department: Contributing Units: Department of Management Department of Marketing and International Business Department of Sociology and Social Policy The Department of Management at Lingnan University is committed to excellence in providing management education. Most staff members of the Department of Management hold doctoral degrees in Management, and all are exponents of leading edge management education. Supported by high quality research, by our connections with the industry, and by the University s quality assurance system, the Department provides high quality education in all of its programmes. The Department will be responsible for the administration, promotion and teaching duties associated with the programme. The Department of Marketing and International Business and the Department of Sociology and Social Policy will help contribute to teaching some courses of the MSc programme. 3. Aims and Learning Outcomes of the Programme This programme is designed for individuals who are, or intend to be, working in the field of human resource management or who occupy or intend to occupy positions with substantial leadership or line management responsibilities. For those serving, or intending to serve, in a wide range of supervisory, managerial and executive positions, the programme is designed to enhance knowledge and competencies in managing and developing people. For holders of degrees within or outside the business field, the programme offers a fast route to becoming professional human resource management specialists. Aims The programme aims to: provide a stimulating environment conducive to learning advanced knowledge and skills in the areas of human resource management and organisational behaviour; 2
give balanced exposure to contemporary theories and best practices in human resource management and organisational behaviour; build a learning community that nurtures students, fosters interpersonal skills, and builds team spirit; and develop a strategic perspective on HRM in equipping organisations to thrive within complex and rapidly changing environments. Learning Outcomes On completing the MSc programme in HRM and OB, students will be able to: - explain the changing nature of the human resource management function and its implications for human resource policies, planning and practice; - apply skills and knowledge for managing and developing people in continuously changing environments; - think critically and innovatively in solving complex problem regarding the management and development of organizational members; - utilize organizational behaviour concepts to diagnose and resolve people management problems; - apply sound principles of ethical conduct and social responsibility in a human resource management context; and - develop a credible performance management strategy that clearly demonstrates the contribution of the HR function to an organization's mission. 4. Level of Award Award of MSc in HRM and OB Degree The performance of participants in each course is assessed by examinations as well as other assessment methods, such as individual and group assignments, group projects and presentations. The assessment process will follow the general grading policy as prescribed by Lingnan University for post-graduate studies. To qualify for the award of the MSc in HRM and OB Degree issued by Lingnan University, students must: i) attend at least 80% of the lectures for each course; ii) iii) complete and pass ALL the required courses; and obtain 30 credits (including 3 credits in Action Learning Projects) with a cumulative G.P.A. of 2.67 (equivalent to B-) or above. 3
5. Programme Design and Curriculum This programme requires the completion of a total of 30 credits, including NINE courses (5 required and 4 electives) and the year course of Action Learning Projects. The teaching pattern is normally a 3-hour seminar per week per course. Non-business degree holders are required to take a pre-entry course which is normally conducted before the commencement of the MSc programme. The normal duration for the MSc programme is one year full-time study, and the maximum duration is three years. The programme is designed to equip students with the necessary management competencies to pursue careers which require application of knowledge of human resource management and organisational behaviour. Required courses provide the grounding for the elective courses. Electives address the specific needs of organisations in managing and developing people. Business ethics/social responsibility and international perspectives are addressed at appropriate points throughout the programme. The total requirement for the award of the MSc is 30 credits. The full curriculum of the programme is summarized as follows: Table 2. Programme Curriculum Credits Required Courses (15 credits) 15 1. Management of Organisations and People 3 2. Managing Ethically 3 3. Teams for Learning 3 4. Contemporary Human Resource Management 3 5. Performance Management 3 Elective Courses (any 12 credits from the following) 12 6. Managing Conflict in Organisations 3 7. Leadership in Organisations 3 8. Comparative and Cross-cultural Management 3 9. Strategic Management 3 10. Managing Quality for People and Organisations 3 11. Organisational Analysis and Change 3 Action Learning Projects (3 credits for a minimum of 42 hours of activities taken in term 1 and term 2) 3 ** Total credits 30 ** Not included in the calculation of G.P.A. 6. Examination and Assessment 6.1 Course Assessment Assessments are conducted in accordance with the Regulations of the University and subject to programme specific requirements. The grade for a course is obtained by aggregating the results of continuous assessment, group works and the final 4
examination, the weighting and format of which are described in the relevant syllabus. Students are required to complete all course work, prescribed tests and examinations. Continuous assessment often involves written assignments, individual project, group assignments/projects and in-class presentations. Formal examinations take a variety of forms, depending on the nature and objectives of the course. Examples are short essay type question, problem-solving, case analysis, etc. 6.2 Attendance Students are required to attend at least 80% of classes. However, each course may, at the discretion of the lecturer, have additional requirements for student attendance. 6.3 Course Grading Letter grades are used to indicate a student s academic performance in a course. Grades are awarded according to the following system: Grade Standard Sub-divisions Grade Points A Excellent A 4 A- 3.67 B Good B+ 3.33 B 3.00 B- 2.67 C Fair C+ 2.33 C 2.00 C- 1.67 F Failure F 0 ABS Absent 0 I Incomplete 0* PASS/FAIL No grade given* * Not included in the calculation of GPA 1. Grade I is a temporary grade which indicates that the course work or examination has not been completed for reasons acceptable to both the lecturer and the Board of Examiners concerned. On completion of the required work or examination, grade I will be converted to a final grade which includes all assessment marks. If the work or examination has not been completed in six months, grade I will be converted to grade F. The final grade will be used in the calculation of GPA. 2. A student who is absent from the final examination will normally receive ABS. If the student has a good reason which is acceptable to both the lecturer and the MSc Programme Coordinator, the student may be given a supplementary assessment. The ABS will be converted to the appropriate grade on completion of the assessment. 5
3. In principle, the assessment will follow University s existing policy, but the minimum GPA requirement for graduation will be 2.67 for both the Postgraduate Diploma and the MSc. 6.4 Progression Students are required to achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or above in order to proceed to the next term. The Board of Examiners shall, at the end of each term, recommend whether each student is: 1. Eligible for progression towards an award; 2. Eligible for an award; or 3. Required to withdraw from the programme. A student will normally progress unless he/she falls within the following categories, any of which may be regarded as grounds for withdrawal from the programme: 1. The student cannot attain a Cumulative GPA of 2.5; 2. The student has exceeded the maximum period of study, which is 3 years for the MSc.; or 3. The student will be unable to attain a Cumulative GPA of 2.67 at the end of the programme. 6.5 Repeat of Courses According to University academic regulations governing taught Master s Degree Programmes, students can repeat courses based on the following conditions: 1. Only the final grade obtained for a course retaken shall be counted in the Cumulative GPA; 2. A student who has passed a course with a C+ or lower grade shall be allowed to improve the grade by retaking the course; 3. Only two courses could be retaken for improving course results; 4. A course should be allowed to be retaken only twice in all, whether to recover a failure or to improve course results; 5. For retaking a course to improve result, if the course is an elective, the student may take it or take another elective; and 6. The low or failure grades of the first attempt (or second attempt if any) will still be shown on the transcripts. 6
6.6 Exceptional Circumstances For a student who is unable to complete all the assessment requirements of a course due to illness or other circumstances beyond his/her control and which the Board of Examiners finds legitimate, the Board of Examiners will determine whether or not the student will have to complete the assessments, and if so, by what means he/she can fulfill all the requirements. 6.7 Graduation For graduation, students are required to complete a total of 9 courses of 27 credits as specified in the programme curriculum, including required and elective courses and obtain a pass in the Action Learning Projects. The minimum GPA requirement for graduation will be 2.67 for the MSc programme. 6.8 Levels of Award Final Award A student who has fulfilled all the requirements for graduation will be awarded a MSc degree with one of the following classifications. Degree Classification Minimum Cumulative G.P.A. Distinction 3.50 Pass 2.67 These classifications are given according to the student s Cumulative GPA on all courses. Intermediate Award Students will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma if they complete five courses with a minimum GPA of 2.67 in the first term, and do not continue in the programme. Acceptance of an intermediate award implies an intention not to complete the final award. 6.9 Student Appeals A student may appeal on academic ground. The detailed procedures are set out in the Regulations of the University. Note: For details of academic regulations, please also refer to the University s Regulations Governing Taught Master s Degree Programmes accessible from the following link: http://www.ln.edu.hk/reg/pg.php 7