The Business Impact Research Project is the culmination of the Professional MSc in Mining Engineering. You will draw on all previous modules undertaken, and on a set of business skills units in Module CSMM183 covering business re-engineering and project management (LEAN, Six sigma, and PRINCE 2), to execute an industry-based project over approximately 10 months (some may start sooner). Projects will be carefully designed and managed and may be based on technical engineering options, computer or laboratory-based investigations, and contribute to, for example; business improvement, design-related options, feasibility assessments, and be of benefit to your company and in your work role. It will also help you develop your project management skills. At the end of the module you are expected to produce a project report, a poster, and present your findings as part of the formal assessment.

The module aims to develop well-rounded mining professionals. By integrating business and project management skills with the technical mining knowledge, training, and your industry experience the module encourages you to take responsibility for a focused research project. The module develops your ability to conduct critical examination and execute and deliver a project within time and organizational constraints. The module also aims to deliver real-world value impact; and you are expected to demonstrate the value of the research to your company.

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge

Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge

The module will be delivered over a period of 48 weeks using documents and reference material in pdf format, project management tools, self-reflection on progress, innovation, self-motivation and creativity, as well as a range of communication and independent study skills to deliver the project within your work context. It will be supervised through face to face sessions with supervisors at the CSMM183 residential in February and at the residential for this module in November, skype conference calls, and use of wiki’s and email to review progress and receive feedback. There will also be a full range of skills development exercises and presentations as part of a residential course.

The Business Impact Research Project should be completed during a 12-month period from January to December. You may begin earlier depending on the company schedule and their project plan. At the beginning of the project, terms of reference, aims and objectives must be agreed between the academic and company mentor. Project plans must be submitted as part of CSMM183 prior to major research activities, and you are required to keep a project log book and arrange regular meetings/communication with company mentors and academic supervisors.

The project must be based on contemporary technical and/or business issues which will improve company, mine, or development value. Some projects may consider investment proposals or risk assessments as well. You are expected to develop industry networks by engaging in new areas of expertise, or to further develop a specialist skill or knowledge.

An interim report on progress will be submitted and assessed to allow substantive feedback on progress to be given. The key outputs of the Project include a written report normally 10,000 – 20,000 words, an A3 summary poster, and a conference-style presentation at a CSM research event at the November residential attended by experienced mining staff. This residential will also help develop data interpretation and presentation skills ahead of the final project write-up. Throughout the project, you are also expected to deliver multiple management-style briefs to your academic supervisor and company mentor which will demonstrate progress throughout the project.

All referral marks are capped at 50%.

Basic reading:

ELE: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/

Online lectures, PowerPoint presentations, documents and reference material in pdf format, mp3 podcasts, videos, e-tivities, discussion boards; and links to the University of Exeter electronic library and its comprehensive resources.

Web based and Electronic Resources:

Module is largely delivered by a dedicated ELE website that also involves links to external corporate, professional, educational websites and YouTube.   

http://admin.exeter.ac.uk/academic/tls/tqa/Part%207/7Fmasterssuper.pdf Code of Good Practice – Dissertation or Project Supervision/Tuition for the Degree of Masters (excluding MPhil programmes).

Other Resources:

The site will have additional literature resources from external professional bodies, technical guides and manuals and use of company annual reports.

Reading list for this module: