BSc Software Project Management

Standard LSI teaching system for 15-credit modules for subjects requiring hands-on technical skills.

Standard LSI teaching system for 15-credit modules for foundational subjects focusing mostly on understanding key concepts, with minimal hands-on technical skills or professional practice.

Standard LSI teaching system for 15-credit modules for professional subjects focusing on understanding key concepts and processes, and developing management or analytical skills.

This is the final module of a business or management undergraduate programme. The project is the result of an expected 300 hrs of work. Most of this is done individually by the student, in locating and reading relevant sources, working on the consultancy-based contribution that is the main part of the project, and writing up the final report. Some time is also spent in regular discussions with the supervisor.

Our institution's approach to teaching is primarily based on flipped learning. Ahead of each weekly session (Workshop/Lab), students will be required to study the essential concepts that are used in the coming session so they are familiar with the theories and ideas related to that session. The study material will be in the form of written content, illustrations, pre-recorded lectures and tutorials, and other forms of content provided through the AGS.

This content is self-navigated by the students, accommodating different learning styles and schedules, allowing students to watch or listen to them at their own pace and review them as needed.

Once each concept of the theory is studied, students will be prompted to engage in formative assessment with instant AI feedback. They include multiple-choice questions, socratic questions and answers, written questions, role-play and other AI-assisted practice scenarios.

The purpose of this automated formative assessment is to provide students with immediate feedback on their understanding of module material and highlight any areas that need support or further study. They are also used to track student progress, boost motivation and promote accountability.

This is the first weekly session, dedicated to providing a comprehensive introduction to the module. The module leader will present an overview of the subject, elucidating its importance within various digital engineering professions and its interrelation with other modules. Students will need no preparation ahead of attending this session.

The module leader will provide a structured breakdown of the content to be covered in the subsequent 9 sessions. Students will also receive an outline of the essential reference materials, alongside suggestions for supplementary reading. The format and criteria for the summative assessment will be delineated, followed by a dedicated period for questions and answers.

A recording of the session will be available to facilitate async engagement for any other student who missed the class, also offering an opportunity to review the content again.

Those studying in the blended learning mode will attend these 9 weekly classes (in person or remotely) during weeks 2 to 10. These sessions will complement the theory already studied during the preceding week (in our flipped-learning model), with discussions, analysis, practice or experience . They will be interactive and participatory, rather than one-way lectures. There will also be an opportunity for Q&A in every session. Depending on the nature of the content, challenges and learning activities will be pre-designed to apply flipped learning. They may include hands-on project work, group discussions or debates, roleplay, simulation, case studies, presentations, and other learning activities and opportunities. These workshops present an opportunity to apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills. They also encourage collaboration and foster a sense of community among students.

Each Workshop/Lab session will be followed by an assignment. Assignments are used to reinforce learning and encourage independent thinking and problem-solving. They help the students identify the gaps in their understanding of the subject and provide them with an opportunity to apply what they have learned in a practical setting.

Assignments can be individual or group-based (teams of 2 to 4). They can take many forms, including essays, presentations, or projects. When they are group-based, teams will be randomly picked by AGS, in order to promote broader teamwork practice. Assignment files will be uploaded to AGS by the students ahead of the next weekly session. Feedback will be provided on each submitted assignment.

This activity challenges students to engage with the reference material and independently explore and analyse academic literature related to the course topic. Students are expected to select relevant sources, practice critical reading skills, and where applicable technical skills, and synthesise information from multiple references. This is an opportunity to enhance research abilities, critical thinking, and self-directed learning skills while broadening and deepening subject knowledge.

In this learning activity, students explore recent real-world case studies relevant to their course topic. The case studies will have been selected and curated by the module leader to represent up-to-date examples. They guide students through key details, contextual factors, and outcomes. This approach enhances students' understanding of current industry trends, challenges, and solutions, preparing them for real-world scenarios they may encounter in their future careers.

The learning experienced will be augmented by AI (virtual private tutor) allowing the students to critically engage with the content and discuss the case studies.

AI Roleplay is an innovative educational approach that leverages artificial intelligence to create immersive, interactive learning experiences for university students. In this activity, students are presented with a professional challenge or scenario relevant to their course. They then engage in a simulated interaction with one or more AI-powered characters, each programmed to embody specific roles, personalities, and expertise.

These AI characters respond dynamically to the student's inputs, creating a realistic and adaptive roleplay environment. Students can practice their communication skills, decision-making, problem-solving, and other professional competencies in a safe, low-stakes setting. After the session, the AI system provides detailed feedback on the student's performance, highlighting strengths and areas for improvement. This personalised guidance helps students refine their skills and gain confidence in handling real-world professional situations.

During these meetings, the student presents their recent progress, including any research findings, data analysis, or draft sections of their work. The supervisor provides feedback, addressing both strengths and areas needing improvement. These sessions often involve discussing challenges faced by the student, strategising solutions, and setting goals or deadlines for the next phase of work. The supervisor may also offer insights on relevant literature, methodologies, or academic writing techniques.

A series of 5 live seminars, with Q&A opportunities.

Seminar 1: Foundations of the Final Project (Week 1): It lays the groundwork for your final project, focusing on setting clear objectives that deliver real-world impact. We’ll cover Level 7 learning outcomes and professional standards, providing insight into assessment criteria with an emphasis on originality and applied knowledge. Building on feedback from your proposal, we’ll discuss ways to refine your project design using an agile approach. The seminar also introduces Open Science principles, fostering ethical transparency. You’ll learn to craft a literature review that supports the practical aims of your project, enabling you to interpret findings meaningfully. Finally, we’ll address strategies for communicating your project’s impact to varied audiences, ensuring your work resonates on personal, professional, and social levels.

Seminar 2: Defining Project Objectives and Approach (Week 1): In this session, we focus on defining actionable objectives and a practical approach to your final project. You’ll develop self-direction and initiative, essential for a high-impact project, and explore the value of interdisciplinary methods to broaden your project’s relevance. The seminar covers foundational skills in computing and data science, which are critical for creating impactful, evidence-based results. We’ll also review the scientific method’s application, guiding you in setting up a clear framework for problem-solving. Essential project management techniques will be discussed, covering time and risk management. Additionally, you’ll identify key soft skills like adaptability and communication that are necessary for successful project execution.

Seminar 3: Criteria for Project Success (Week 2): This seminar explores the criteria that underpin project success, focusing on the effective application of research methods. We’ll examine advanced data processes such as collection, processing, and quality assurance to support rigorous project outcomes. Special attention is given to ensuring the reliability and validity of your data, minimising bias and maximising accuracy. You’ll learn how to refine your project in iterative cycles, incorporating feedback and testing to strengthen your deliverable. This approach ensures that your final project meets Level 7 expectations and demonstrates a strong grasp of practical data management, research methods, and the iterative improvement necessary for high-quality results.

Seminar 4: Professional, Legal, and Ethical Standards (Week 2): In this seminar, we delve into the professional, legal, and ethical standards essential to your project. Emphasising responsible innovation, we’ll discuss what it means to be an ethical project leader. You’ll learn about data protection legislation, including GDPR compliance, and gain practical guidance on responsible data handling. Navigating the School’s ethics approval processes, cybersecurity protocols, and digital best practices are covered to ensure your project aligns with professional standards. We’ll also discuss the integration of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) and EDI (Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion) principles, ensuring your project meets modern expectations of responsible and inclusive innovation.

Seminar 5: Project Submission and Professional Presentation (Mid-Way): This seminar prepares you for project submission, focusing on practical submission requirements, including documentation and professional presentation of results. We’ll revisit assessment criteria, focusing on how to demonstrate integrity, originality, and IP considerations. Strategies for articulating your project’s impact to different audiences, from academic to industry stakeholders, will be discussed. We’ll also cover the submission process, ensuring compliance with regulatory guidelines and plagiarism standards. Finally, we’ll explore opportunities for publishing your work and discuss career development, highlighting how your project experience can be leveraged in professional contexts for maximum visibility and influence in the field.

Part of the credit hours on a module are also made up of self-guided individual research. These hours enable students to look at what components they are going to study on a module and ascertain for themselves what they will believe will additionally benefit their leaning. This may be prior to attending a lecture or workshop, following their use of a concept learning (knowledge graph) where they identify that additional reading may deepen their understanding of a concept, or after a seminar has taken place. Students will also use self-guided individual research to prepare for summative assessments. In the main, as this is self-guided, students will decide for themselves what additional research they will do. This will require them to identify what concepts or knowledge, skills, and competencies they want to deepen, what resources will assist them, such as books, videos, or online sources, how they will use these, and what the outcomes should be. Students may decide to work with their peers in undertaking this individual research – and they can ask their tutors for guidance and help. Students may also have to use some of their self-guided individual research to prepare for lectures, workshops, or assignments, or for work their tutors have set them.