| Unit name | Infrastructure Systems Management |
|---|---|
| Unit code | CENGM0072 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Carhart |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Civil, Aerospace and Design Engineering |
| Faculty | Faculty of Engineering |
Why is this unit important?
Infrastructure underpins every aspect of modern life. It shapes our economies, environments, and societal well-being. Railways, roads, bridges, airports, hospitals, schools, ports, water supplies, sanitation systems, energy generation and distribution (gas and electricity); its components are varied but fundamentally interconnected. Infrastructure Systems Management (ISM), when performed effectively, remains invisible to many, but its criticality is highly visible when it fails. As billions of pounds are invested globally in infrastructure systems, this unit looks at ways to ensure efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability at every stage of their lifecycle.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study
Systems engineering is an interdisciplinary field of engineering and engineering management that focuses on how to design, integrate, and manage complex systems over their life cycles. Systems thinking principles are embedded throughout our programmes, with this unit specialising on infrastructure systems management.
An overview of content
The ISM unit has four main themes, while also highlighting the role infrastructure plays in both sustainable development and climate breakdown:
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
The aim of this unit is to give students an advanced understanding of the sustainable, whole-lifecycle management of infrastructure. It covers the planning, acquisition, design, delivery, operation, maintenance, renewal and disposal of infrastructure projects and programmes. These range in scale from the complexity of interconnected ‘system-of-systems’ to the detail of individual assets. ISM will develop the critical thinking processes which, allied with a deep understanding of needs and performance measurement principles, are required to manage the resilient performance of infrastructure systems.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, successful students will be able to:
1. Describe, demonstrate and evaluate analytical techniques of a systems approach to model and address complex problems, with regard for uncertainty, risk, sustainability and purpose.
2. Apply the key principles of asset management, and the engineering activities contributing to effective asset development.
3. Analyse and develop the principles of asset health monitoring and condition-based monitoring, including basic asset and related performance indicators.
4. Identify and debate ethical dilemmas in infrastructure systems management, recognising the importance of supporting matters of health, culture, society, equality, diversity and inclusion.
5. Assess the relevant legal requirements governing asset condition including the integrated management systems for health, safety, environment, and quality.
6. Illustrate and apply principles of leadership and change management, individually and with a team, with an understanding of the challenges inherent in making complex systems more efficient, effective and sustainable.
Teaching will be delivered through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous sessions, which may include lectures, practical activities supported by drop-in sessions, problem sheets and self-directed exercises.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
There are opportunities to submit a portfolio of formative work for feedback leading up to the first summative assessment and an outline plan for the second summative assessment.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Individual coursework in the form of a reflective essay (30%): ILOs 1, 4 and 6
Group coursework involving the development of a Strategic Asset Management Plan (70%): ILOs 1-6
When assessment does not go to plan:
Resubmission of failed assessment component
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. CENGM0072).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
