Project Management in Science

Subject SKIL90004 (2016)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2016.

Credit Points: 12.5
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

Semester 1, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period 29-Feb-2016 to 29-May-2016
Assessment Period End 24-Jun-2016
Last date to Self-Enrol 11-Mar-2016
Census Date 31-Mar-2016
Last date to Withdraw without fail 06-May-2016


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: One 3-hour workshop per week for twelve weeks
Total Time Commitment:

200 hours

Prerequisites:

None

Corequisites:

None

Recommended Background Knowledge:

None

Non Allowed Subjects:

None

Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Coordinator

Assoc Prof Reeva Lederman

Contact

Dr Reeva Lederman

email: reeva.lederman@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

AIMS

Projects drive most modern science organisations. Learn how to plan and manage projects, and to relate to a client, team members, and to other stakeholders. The subject covers the processes and tools / techniques in project management as well as the ‘soft side’ of managing people in projects. The subject uses the project management body of knowledge (PMBOK) covering the competencies in project management including scope, time, cost, quality, resource, risk, communication and integration management.

Learning Outcomes:

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILO)

Having completed this subject the student is expected to be able to:

  1. Plan a science consulting project
  2. List and describe the stages of the project life cycle, and the tasks and deliverables for each stage
  3. Describe and apply key processes in project management including risk management;
  4. Apply various techniques in project execution and monitoring including diagramming techniques such as PERT charts, the critical path method and resource levelling
  5. Describe and apply leadership and management capabilities required for managing projects.

Assessment:

  1. A group assignment on writing a project charter, requiring approximately 13 - 15 hours or work (10%)
  2. A group assignment involving an analysis of a project and a short oral presentation, requiring approximately 55 - 60 hours of work (45%)
  3. An individual assignment applying skills in computerized project management tools, requiring approximately 13 - 15 hours of work (10%)
  4. A closed book, 2 hour final exam (35%), requiring approximately 13 - 15 hours of work

Prescribed Texts:

None. Readings will be provided on-line.

Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

Students should have honed generic skills such as clear thinking, improved reading and writing, enhanced ability to work in a team of people, and presentation skills.

Notes:

INDICATIVE CONTENT

The following content will be covered

  • What is a project?
  • Scooping
  • Project Roles
  • Planning a Project
  • Budgeting and cost estimation
  • Risk Management
  • Documentation of Projects
  • Organisational Structure and Culture
  • Evaluating and ending projects

INDICATIVE KEY LEARNING RESOURCES

There will be no set text book but the following recommended texts are appropriate.

  1. Schwalbe, K., Introduction to Project Management, Fourth Edition, Course Technology 2012 (or similar books by Schwalbe)
  2. Gido and Clements., Successful Project Management, 5th ed., South-Western Cengage Learning, 2011.
  3. Meredith, J and Mantel, S. Project Management: A Managerial Approach, 8th Ed., Wiley, 2012.

CAREERS / INDUSTRY LINKS

This subject is relevant to careers as project consultants and managers in scientific fields. Since many large science-based organizations today carry out significant project work there is a large on-going demand for people with knowledge of this topic from both private consulting and government run organizations. Students will develop real world skills that they can use in industry. There will be one or two lectures from invited practitioners from industry.

Related Course(s): Doctor of Philosophy - Engineering
Master of Biotechnology
Master of Geoscience
Master of Operations Research and Management Science
Master of Philosophy - Engineering
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Environmental Science
Environmental Science

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