Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2009-2010 (archived)

Module BUSI41815: QUALITY MANAGEMENT

Department: Economics, Finance and Business (Business)

BUSI41815: QUALITY MANAGEMENT

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 15 Availability Available in 2009/10 Module Cap
Tied to N1KE12
Tied to N2KE12
Tied to N2KF12

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To give students an in-depth understanding at an advanced level of the complexities of managing and improving the quality of product/service in organisations.

Content

  • Definitions of Quality;
  • The Quality Gurus;
  • The role of Quality in Organisation;
  • Measuring and Monitoring Quality;
  • Quality Systems;
  • Total Quality Management;
  • Tools and Techniques of TQM;
  • Understanding the EFQM Excellence Model.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • By the end of the module, students should:
  • have an advanced understanding of the process of managing and improving all aspects of quality in organisations;
  • have an advanced appreciation of the complexities of quality management in terms of the control and improvement of organisational outputs, as well as the processes which produce them;
  • have a critical appreciation of the requirements of various strategies, their strengths and weaknesses and the management issues associated with their implementation.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • By the end of the module, students should:
  • be able to critically assess the various options available to an organisation, from simple inspection techniques through to continuous improvement and process re-engineering strategic techniques.
Key Skills:
    Written communication; planning, organising and time management; problem solving and analysis; using initiative; computer literacy.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • The learning outcomes will be met through a combination of lectures, facilitated discussion sessions, group work and guided reading. Extensive use will be made of case studies.
  • Assessment of this module is by summative assignment, designed to: test the acquisition and articulation of knowledge; test conceptual understanding and skills of application and interpretation within the business context.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 9 hours in total
Group work 9 hours in total
Preparation & Reading 132
Total 150

Summative Assessment

Component: Assignment Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Written assignment 3,000 words maximum 100%

Formative Assessment:

Feedback on group and individual activities undertaken during contact hours. Feedback on learning set reflections and action points related to this module.


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University