Quality

Master of Science

Course Details

Course Code	SG_EQLTY_M09
Level	9
Duration	2 years
Credits	60
Method of Delivery	Online
Campus Locations	Sligo
Mode of Delivery	Part Time

How to Apply

How to Apply

Course Overview

The MSc in Quality is two-year part-time programme designed for graduates who are currently in quality engineering and/or management positions and who wish to expand their knowledge towards the strategic aspects of the quality management and quality science.

About this Programme

This programme will provide the students with the skills and tools necessary to meet the demands of the next generation employability allowing them to advocate and implement strategic and change management programmes and co-ordinate and manage these in a global environment. The emphasis is on developing expertise as quality management professionals, providing the tools, methods, knowledge and skills that are necessary to achieve adaptability, flexibility, creativity and innovation. The necessary skills and competencies will be developed to allow graduates to move beyond the operational level and to facilitate the resolution of strategic issues such as the corporate quality strategy and its implementation in an international context.

Aims and Objectives

The objectives of the programme are to ensure that graduates will:

Possess a state-of-the-art knowledge of current practices and standards relating to quality.
Enhance their ability to apply a significant range of professional skills, practices and techniques in management.
Achieve an understanding of the nature of global competition, comparative performance and performance measurement.
Develop skills to become leaders and innovators in the application of Quality principles and techniques.
Develop as quality management professionals for senior roles in the service and manufacturing industry.

Important: Modules are delivered over the two years of the programme. A selection of the 11 modules will be taught each year, with all completed over the 2 years.

Most students complete the programme within the 2-year timeframe. However, if you need to defer part of the course, you will not be able to take the module(s) again until it is running in the designated year.

Course Details

Year 1

Semester	Module Details	Credits	Mandatory / Elective
2	Research Methods The learner will study different research methods, learn how to analyse research reports and data, analyse qualitative and quantitative research data, disseminate research in terms of reports and journal publications, and communicate effectively their research outcomes. As this is an online course, the majority of students are working in industry and conducting their Research projects in the workplace. Student presentations will be used to share best practices in the class. Best practices will be generic rather than any company specific information. Learning Outcomes 1. Select and critically apply an appropriate research strategy. 2. Undertake a literature search and generate a literature review on a research topic. 3. Select and apply an appropriate research methodology. (e.g. Surveys / Questionaires) 4. Identify, construct, and test a research hypothesis and null hypothesis. 5. Analyse qualitative and quantitative research data. 6. Communicate effectively their research outcomes.	05	Mandatory
1	System Simulation Modelling and Analysis Provides a comprehensive and practical treatment of all the important aspects of a simulation study, including modelling, simulation software, model verification and validation, input modelling, random number generators, generating random variates, statistical design and the analysis of a simulation study. Learning Outcomes 1. Describe the fundamentals of simulation and the techniques for developing simulation models. 2. Use simulation as a decision support tool. 3. Translate a business problem into a simulation model. 4. Formulate an appropriate and correct discrete event simulation model of a system at an appropriate level of detail. 5. Use an Excel spreadsheet with add-ins, e.g. @Risk, to build simulation models. 6. Use SIMUL8 to model and solve a simulation problem. 7. Identify the best probability distribution to describe the outcomes of a random variable. 8. Generate random variates for discrete and continuous distributions. 9. Analyse and interpret the results of a simulation model for making a business decision.	05	Mandatory
2	Applied Project Management In this module the student will acquire a comprehensive knowledge of project planning and implementation and the issues and pitfalls which commonly occur on projects across a range of organisation structures and industries. Learning Outcomes 1. Demonstrate an understanding of Project Management in distributed and international environments. 2. Assess the linkage between projects and strategy implementation as well as transformational change. 3. Distinguish between the technical and behavioural aspects of Project Management. 4. Master practical skills of project implementation and understand why an approach will/will notwork in a particular situational environment through real world case studies. 5. Learn tools and techniques spanning the steps from defining the projects through to controllingthe project using earned value and Theory of Constraints and Agile Project Management.	05	Mandatory
1	Transformational Change The student will learn about the concepts involved in the management and facilitation of oranisational change from a quality/project management perspective and acquire the knowledge to be capable of leading/facilitating a change programme for quality and productivity improvement in an organisation Learning Outcomes 1. Critique the concepts associated with transformational change. 2. Discriminate between the various stages of organisational transformation. 3. Evaluatea change programme for quality and productivity improvement in an organisation. 4. Defend the role of facilitator/agent of change in the overall context of orgnaisational improvement. 5. Critically apply insights from a range of alternative approaches to change management.	05	Mandatory

Year 2

Semester	Module Details	Credits	Mandatory / Elective
Year	Research Thesis The learner will summarise, present, explain and critically discuss current issues, knowledge and theory relating to an area of quality using suitable referencing skills. The learner will demonstrate the ability to plan, execute and monitor an individual research investigation with appropriate attention to the theoretical and practical aspects of the topic. They will analyse, critically evaluate, present and discuss research outcomes in a logical and systematic manner, setting them in the context of previous research. They will produce a written report of their research and its conclusions that is appropriate to a Master's degree level. Learning Outcomes 1. Survey, summarise, present, explain and critically discuss current issues, knowledge and theory relating to an area of Quality Management & Quality Technology using suitable referencing skills. 2. Demonstrate the ability to plan, execute and monitor an individual research investigation with appropriate attention to the theoretical and practical aspects of the topic. 3. Analyse, critically evaluate, present and discuss research outcomes in a logical and systematic manner, setting them in the context of previous research. 4. Communicate the importance of these research outcomes in the context of current knowledge and understanding of the topic 5. Present a critical comparison of the strengths and failings of the research undertaken with respect to the strengths and failings of previous research. 6. Produce a written report of their research and its conclusions that is appropriate to a Masters degree level.	20	Mandatory
1	INTEGRATED QUALITY This module facilitates a deep appreciation of quality from its metaphysical level to its day to day practise. It draws from the conventional sources of standards, gurus and models as well as the broader emerging field of appreciative systems. Learning Outcomes 1. Explain the fundamental principles underpinning quality. 2. Lead an organisation’s quality initiatives based on well informed current best practice. 3. Evalute and Justify the various models and approaches for suitability in any given situation. 4. Demonstrate a deep understanding of complex human activity systems. 5. Apply business excellence models to facilitate self assessment, continual improvement and systems alignment/integration. 6. Act as an inspiration and support to others on matters of quality.	05	Mandatory
1	Advanced Experimental Design The student will be learn how to design, conduct and analyse standard and complex experiments, and interpret the data from these experiments. Learning Outcomes 1. Conduct two and three level fractional factorial experiments and analyse the resulting data. 2. Plan, conduct and analyse experiments using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). 3. Design and analyse mixed level experiments. 4. Analyse multiple response experiments and interpret the results. 5. Analyse and interpret data from experiments involving random effects models. 6. Formulate the expected means square rules to develop appropriate statistical models. 7. Use Minitab to design an experiment, analyse, interpret and evaluate the resulting data.	05	Mandatory
2	Strategic Management In this module the student will acquire a comprehensive knowledge of strategy making, strategy transformation and implementation, learn how to recognise corporate structures and how to influence decision making in the hierarchy. Learning Outcomes 1. think strategically about a company, its present business position, its long-term direction, its resources and competitive capabilities, the calibre of its strategy, and its opportunities for gaining sustainable competitive advantage. 2. craft business strategy, reason carefully about strategic options, use what-if analysis to evaluate action alternatives, and make sound strategic decisions. 3. Demonstrate why the different parts of a business need to be managed in strategic harmony for the organization to operate in winning fashion. 4. have strongerpowers of managerial judgment,be ableto assess business risk, and improved ability to make sound business decisions and achieve effective outcomes. 5. appreciate how ethical principles, core values, and socially responsible management practices matter greatly in the conduct of a companys business.	05	Mandatory
2	Value Stream Optimisation This subject aims to provide the students with the skills and knowledge required to to develop the value stream as a source of competitive advantage. Learning Outcomes 1. Recognise the value stream as a source of competitive advantage. 2. Utilise value stream mapping tools. 3. Demonstrate strategic thinking in the context of value stream optimisation. 4. Formulate the total value within the supply chain. 5. Plan a performance measurement system for the value chain. 6. Align the value stream in the context of sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility	05	Mandatory

Recommended Study Hours per week

Students should expect to attend live online classes 2-3 times per week and each class lasts approximately 1-1.5 hours. It is recommended that students should allow 6 hours per week for a 5 credit module.

Examination and Assessment

Continuous assessment involving assignment and project work will be a part of each module. A small number of modules involve 100% continuous assessment but the majority of modules will include a final examination at the end of the semester.
Note: Where assessment on the programme involves examinations, these are held on campus or at another exam venue in the Republic of Ireland. There are typically two exam periods: January and May. Times scheduled for examinations (face to face / online exams ) are in GMT.
Students who are resident overseas and those with extenuating circumstances may apply to take examinations online with an external online invigilation service (online proctored exams), where this is available. Places are limited for this service.

On-Campus Attendance Requirement

No attendance required.
Note: Check programme Examination and Assessment requirements, as they may involve examinations to be taken on campus.

Download a prospectus

Postgraduate Prospectus Online, Flexible & Professional Development Prospectus

Entry Requirements

Participants must have one of the following academic qualifications:

A 2nd class BSc Hons degree in Quality Management or Higher Diploma in Quality (Level 8.) or equivalent.
2nd class Hons (Level 8.) graduates who are currently in quality engineering/management positions within their respective organisations. These candidates will be selected following interview.

Graduates who have not obtained this minimum may incorporate other equivalent qualifications and relevant work experience and apply for assessment via the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process. RPL is a process that may allow you to gain admission to a programme or to receive exemptions/ credit for some parts of the programme based on demonstrated learning that you may have achieved through another programme of study or through your work or career. Further information is available at www.atu.ie/recognition-of-prior-learning which our dedicated RPL portal.

Fees

Total Fees EU: €9000

Total Fees Non-EU: €9000

Further information on fees

Careers

Typically, graduates will be employed as quality managers or senior quality engineers.

Further Information

Who Should Apply?

This programme designed for graduates who are currently in quality engineering or management positions and who wish to expand their knowledge, skills and expertise.