The Statistics Project gives MSc students to conduct an in-depth study, either of a particular advanced statistical methodology, or of the application of one or more methods to real applied problems. The aim is to develop skills of organising work, identifying and directing your own work and writing a comprehensive report on a major piece of work. The choice of project is determined by the student's own interests and every student will benefit from one-to-one meetings with a supervisor, usually a member of academic staff.
This course is a showcase for how the various branches of physics come together to give rise to real life phenomena. Using the example of stars, we will revisit a wide range of different physics and see how the various ingredients interact and thus how all branches of physics play a role in creating the fundamental building blocks of the universe. The emphasis of the course is on the more theoretical aspects of physics. The course is compulsory for ‘with Astronomy’ students but offers a good opportunity for all Physics students who want to obtain a hands-on experience of ‘the bigger picture’ in physics.
The module will start with an introductory session on common research techniques used in Biomedical Science. This will be followed by sessions covering the following topics: 1. Pluripotent stem cells (2 sessions) 2. Neural stem cells 3. Musculoskeletal stem cells (2 sessions) 4. Cancer stem cells 5. Ethics (2 sessions) The sessions will combine a seminar and general discussion to clarify any points and to frame any questions arising from the lecture that the students find interesting. Prior to each topic, a relevant primary research publication and supporting documentation that exemplifies research in the subject area will be provided. Students should read the paper prior to attending the session and pay particular attention to the methods section to ensure they are familiar with the basic principles of the techniques and/or any confusing abbreviations used. Methodological queries will be discussed at the session. For topics 1 and 3, one or more students, depending on class numbers, will be designated to prepare an oral presentation on a selected paper for the following week. The presentation will comprise the paper and background questions arising from the article or the seminar. All students will be expected to join in the discussion of the paper during and after the presentation, although only those students who are presenting will be assessed. Presenting students will be expected to research other articles to introduce concepts in the paper. All students will be expected to research other articles to bring to the general discussion of the selected paper. For topics 2 and 4, all students will write a critical appraisal of the selected paper stating the hypothesis and summarising the background, results and conclusions with comment on strengths, weaknesses and any new questions arising as a consequence of the paper. There will be no oral presentation for these topics. For topic 5, all students will participate in a discussion/debate.
Modern concerns like global warming and alternative fuels highlight the need for a STEM educated population. This module aims to provide a comprehensive overview of STEM education by examining current trends and best practices in the field. The module is designed to engage students in a hands-on and interdisciplinary approach to learning STEM subjects with a focus on Mathematics and Science. Topics to be covered include current trends in STEM education, theoretical frameworks in STEM education, real-world applications of STEM subjects, the use of games as a teaching tool and the benefits of informal learning.
This module with introduce synthetic organic methods in which other elements play a key role with an emphasis on stereo and regio selectivity.
The Stochastic OR Techniques part introduces the concepts and applications of the following four topics: queuing systems, inventory systems, reliability theory and decision theory. Models and examples are also given to demonstrate applications of the topics. Discrete event simulation is taught separately via lectures and computer workshops. One of the pre-requisites for MATH6013
Stochastic OR Methods provides the students with a grounding in the stochastic elements of operational research. Models and examples are given to demonstrate applications of the topics. Discrete event simulation is taught via lectures and computer workshops while Decision Theory and the basics of Queueing Theory are taught in lectures.
The module will introduce the basic ideas in modelling, solving and simulating stochastic processes.
This module provides an introduction to the modern finance theory and its applications to equity investing. It will start by giving a short preamble of the asset classes and stock markets, security analysis, and equity evaluation models. The course will then focus on stock portfolio optimisation, stock portfolio management including passive strategies, active strategies, and managing a portfolio of managers, and performance evaluation of stock portfolios. The module will also briefly consider the equilibrium asset pricing models such as the CAPM, APT and multi-factor models. The module will cover the stock market efficiency and briefly consider the assumptions of investor rationality and some relevant aspects of behavioural finance. Finally, the module will consider some advanced topics in stock market analysis such as the use of machine learning and big data analytics in equity investing.
The Neolithic period heralds some of the most momentous changes in human history; it is the period when prehistoric people began to live in permanent settlements and adopted agriculture. In Britain, this period is dominated by rich evidence for large monuments and ceremonial and ritual activity. This module discusses the character of evidence from across Britain and Ireland, from southern England to the Northern Isles; from Stonehenge to Skara Brae. The module examines the latest research in Neolithic studies, from dietary and skeletal analysis and radiocarbon dating to the new evidence for settlement across southern Britain and Ireland, providing the evidence and interpretative tools required to understand this exciting period of prehistory.
The study of how consumers engage with a brand is crucial for any manager tasked with building a marketing strategy, given that brands today are considered key strategic and financial assets. In contemporary markets, brands are widely recognized as strategic and financial assets, with many scholars and practitioners arguing that strong brands confer sustainable competitive advantage. This module delves into the nature and role of products from the perspective of brand delivery and experience across various sectors. It emphasizes the strategic significance of brand management and explores how products and services function not only as vehicles of value transfer but also as critical dimensions of the brand from the consumer’s perspective. The module further investigates the principles of building and sustaining brand equity, and critically evaluates approaches to developing customer-centric brand strategies. By adopting a cross-category lens on business models employed by successful brands, the module provides strategic insights into the formulation and execution of branding strategies, with a particular emphasis on consumer decision-making processes.
This module builds on your prior marketing and strategy knowledge by focusing on the particular domain of brand management. The module highlights the ubiquitous presence of brands in our lives and how it can be used as an essential part of formulating a competitive strategic position in today’s marketplace that takes into account the organization, customers and society at large. The module will particularly focus on consumer driven brand management and explore how sustainable brand equity can be developed through cutting-edge frameworks, concepts and tools that are utilized across industries and nations within offline and online contexts.
This module consists two components: strategic branding and luxury marketing. It focuses on the nature of competitiveness in a global context. It offers students the opportunity to understand a fundamental branding strategy and luxury marketing management. The emphasis is on exploring the role of branding and the development of a brand through strategic marketing and highlights the performance of a brand in the value competition.
Strategic decision-making and analysis are among the most critical advanced skills that successful project professionals must master and apply throughout projects. These competencies are essential in every stage of a project, from inception and planning through to execution, monitoring and evaluation. The significance of these expert skills and the consequences of decisions in delivering positive outcomes whilst mitigating potential failures are paramount and emphasised in both theory and practice across the project profession. Within the context of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data-driven approaches, project professionals are expected to operate in increasingly complex and dynamic environments where precise decision-making is essential across industries. Making informed and timely decisions can be challenging, but it is fundamental to successfully managing projects. This module therefore introduces the characteristics of decisions and decision-making and analysis in contemporary project environments.
This module will further your understanding of design management and it’s link with the various fields of business in an organisation. You will be encouraged to critically analyse the function of design in an organisational context. You will begin to understand the con-text from a strategic business unit perspective and the wider impact of design management derived from economic, financial, and resource-based view. Through lectures and seminars, you will examine and explore key concepts of design audits, design law, Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), service design, design transformation and evaluate the impact of digital technologies including artificial intelligence in the context of design management activities. The curriculum will also cover quality control models in design management, economic and financial aspects of decisions in design management, design-based aspects of brand equity, ethics & corporate social responsibility, and strategies for sustainable design in improving business performance. The module will also enable you to understand the significance of the consumer experience concept and the key factors that influence consumer expectations and experiences within the context of design. This module will advance your understanding about the theory and practices of design management as an emerging field of study, and you will be encouraged to further apply this in the final major project in the third semester.
The module is designed to develop an appreciation of the role of management and the management of marketing functions in the modern organisation. The contribution of marketing to organisational performance in increasingly competitive and rapidly changing environment will be addressed. The module will focus on what being market-oriented means in practice to fashion organisations. The module will take a strategic orientation and introduce students to the theories, concepts, models, techniques, and current best-practices for developing and implementing management marketing strategies.
The need for specialist personnel or human resource managers plus line managers to effectively understand the development needs of businesses and their employees is increasing as organisational and environmental pressures for change gain momentum. This course is designed to actively prepare the student to effectively perform within a senior position in a Human Resource Development/ Organisational Change Agent function. Alternatively line managers may gain a more strategic overview of the importance of development activities within organisations via this course. There has been an increase in the importance of employee and organisation development initiatives and interventions within businesses as many have now developed a more strategic approach to developing people than was historically the case. The student therefore needs a thorough understanding of where human resource development fits into the overall business strategy. Of chief importance Human Resource Development technologies have emerged as crucial levers in securing organisational change requiring senior practitioners to be far more competent in selecting, implementing and evaluating HRD initiatives. Within such complex business environments, the capacity to critically assess developments within the field and importantly relate practice to both underpinning theories and empirical evidence becomes paramount. This course is designed above all both through the teaching and learning strategy employed and the material covered, to equip students with the knowledge and skills to achieve this.
This module provides third-year students with a broad range of both theoretical and practical views on key topics of human resource management and strategy. From the theoretical perspectives, students will understand how organisations can develop and implement HR strategies that contribute to their competitive advantage and long-term success. From the practical perspectives, students will gain hands-on experience from practitioners and case studies about the implementation of strategies and initiatives that align HR practices with organisational goals and objectives.
This module covers the area of strategic human resource management, offering a comprehensive cover of the advances in the HRM field for PG students.
Strategic management is central to the operation of a variety of businesses in different sectors and environments. The creation of a strategy and the management of its implementation are important in developing businesses that can create and sustain a competitive advantage. In a competitive global environment, understanding strategic principles, tools for analysis and techniques for implementation are of great importance to managers, to assist them in enhancing firm performance. This module will provide you with an overview of issues relevant to corporate and business strategy. It aims to introduce and evaluate major concepts and techniques of strategic analysis, strategy formulation, strategic actions/choices and strategy implementation. Students are encouraged to analyse and think critically as well as apply some of the introduced concepts and tools. You will be encouraged to develop your knowledge of strategic management by gaining an intellectual appreciation and understanding of the differing schools of strategic thought, which will in turn underpin subject understanding. An intellectual application of these theories together with the self-development of your own ideas will be utilised to demonstrate transferability of skills via a series of practical case applications.
