The module considers both the nature and importance of contracts and procurement in the delivery of successful project management. The module will provide learners with the necessary legal knowledge to understand and identify the complexities of the law surrounding construction contracts. In doing so, learners will be able to recognise and confront the kinds of problems that can get in the way of a successful construction project. The legal meaning and implication of key terms in construction contracts will be explored and their resulting impact on the project administration will be examined. The principal legal differences between standard forms of contract, both national and international, will be identified and evaluated. The nature and type of construction claims will be considered as well as the various dispute resolution mechanisms currently employed within the construction industry. Students will understand how to plan procurements, conduct a tendering process, negotiate and administer the resulting contract.

1. Appraise the various types and standard forms of construction contracts in common use in the construction industry demonstrating a critical awareness of the main contractual framework establishedby the main standard form of construction contract and the significance of specific contractual terms within a construction contract
2. Critically assess the role, obligations and responsibilities of the employer, contractor and subcontractorunder construction contracts. Interpret and appraise the validity of various contractual claims and methods of dispute resolution

3. Assess and analyse legal concepts/facts and formulate reasoned legal opinion/advice.
4. Evaluate the standard methods of procurement and demonstate the ability to give reasoned advice on the appropriateness of various procurement routes byconsidering the various forms of contract in particular the exposure, transfer and mitigation of risk.

5. Demonstrate knowledge and applied understanding of procurement law. Critically analyse the key legal concepts that tmay arise from a particular procurement option.

This module explores the issues involved in the integration of two or more stand-alone management systems, with the main focus on Environmental Management Systems (e.g. ISO 14001) and the integration with other management systems relating to Quality (ISO 9001), Health and Safety (ISO 45001), Energy (ISO 50001) or Asset Management (ISO 55001).

Key areas for integration include the context of the organisation, leadership, planning, risk assessment, training and awareness, communication, documentation, operational controls, emergency preparedness and response, performance evaluation and improvement. The module also addresses both Internal and External Auditing and the requirements of ISO 19011.

1. Apply the framework contained in ISO 14001 and ISO 14004 to the management of a water services sector operation.

2. Synthesise the core elements in establishing, implementing, maintaining and continually improving a number of management systems, including management systems for Quality (ISO 9001), Health and Safety (ISO 45001), Energy (ISO 50001) and Asset Management (ISO 55001).

3. Apply the principles of auditing, prepare an audit programme and plan an internal audit.

4. Critically review the issues associated with the integrating of various management system standards, including the sequencing of integration within one site and standardization across many sites.

5. Critically review a water services operation for the purpose of introducing an integrated management system for two or more stand-alone management systems for that operation.

This module will equip the learner with the skills to professionally analyse, interpret and communicate technical information in the area of the biological and environmental sciences. It includes data gathering, data management, data visualisation, design and analysis of scientific experiments, hypothesis testing, linear modelling and data analysis using appropriate statistical software.

1. Organise and Manipulate data using appropriate software
2. Demonstrate that they can graphically display and numerical summarise data using appropriate descriptive statistics
3. Apply probability and probability distributions to data analysis
4. Choose and apply appropriate tests of hypotheses based on a research problem and the characteristics of a dataset
5. Model the relationships between variables using regression analysis
6. Use an appropriate statistical software package to perform statistical analysis of data

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.

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.

This module shall provide the learner with a review of current best practice water and wastewater treatment processes and technologies, innovative and sustainable systems to monitor, optimise and improve the performance of water and wastewater treatment plants and breakthrough technologies designed to mitigate core and developing treatment issues.

Processes and technologies addressed include membrane filtration, advanced oxidation processes (AOP), filtration advanced oxidation, and bioenergy systems, and those related to nutrient reduction, lead removal, sludeg treatment, carbon absorption, total dissolved solids removal and pathogen control.

The module also focusses on the development of appropriate methodologies for the assessment of new water and wastewater technologies, review of information sources, assessment of risks, performance, costs and sustainability.

1. Critically appraise and assess the performance limitations, legislative constraints and risks associated withexisting water and wastewater treatment processes.

2. Evaluate and review on a comparative technical, performance-related, and sustainable basis the advanced and innovative processes and technologies appropriate to addressing drinking water and wastewater treatment performance and tackling specific issues.
3. Develop a systematic methodology to appraise the appropriateness, readiness, economic viability, and technical feasibility of upgrading and/or replacing existing treatment processes with innovative processes and technologies.

4. Critically review information sources, assess risks, training needs, costs and sustainability of proposed new water and wastewater technologies.
5. Report critically the findings of a feasibility study to determine the viability of utilising innovative and breakthrough processes to improve and optimise performance within a sustainable context and quality assurance framework.

This module introduces the principles and practices of Asset Management as set out in the ISO 55000 series of International Standards (ISO 55000/55001/55002) and in the Institute of Asset Management Conceptual Asset Management Model. The module focuses on the application of asset management theory to practical issues in the Water Services sector such as Risk Assessment, management of the Maintenance function, the identification and classification of various events, incidents and disasters specifically related to water services, and the development and testing of appropriate responses. The module also addresses the evaluation of alternative capital and operating project options using a life-cycle approach and the application of the Net Present Value methodology.

1. Apply the framework contained in ISO 55000 – 55002 and the Institute of Asset Management Conceptual Model for Asset Management to the management of a water services sector operation.

2. Critically assess various approaches to the identification, assessment and mitigation of risk and exploitation of opportunities relating to asset management.

3. Discuss the factors that should be considered in the management of maintenance activities, including both preventive and corrective maintenance management methodologies.

4. Evaluate alternative capital and operating project options using a life-cycle approach and applying the Net Present Value methodology.

5. Prepare appropriate plans relating to potential incidents and disasters specifically related to the water services sector.

This module requires the learner to pursue research on an appropriate topic in water or wastewater, integrate research findings and articulate the key considerations of the specific investigation. Learners must have achieved a merit or greater in the 60 credit Post Graduate Diploma in Water Services Management at IT Sligo before progressing to this 30 Credit module. This module provides information on Research Methods with presentations on the following areas: Defining the Research Question; Sections/Chapters of the Dissertation, Literature review and Library Resources; Research Methodologies and Data Interpretation and Analysis.

1. Identify, conceptualise, formulate and communicate a research proposal for a specific water or wastewater services topic.
2. Complete a programme of work requiring sustained effort with the objective of developing critical abilities in analysis, synthesis and evaluation.
3. Identify the objectives of the study, formulate an appropriate methodology and review the literature relevant to the study.
4. Collect, collate and analyse relevant data.
5. Evaluate and synthesise the main findings of the study and develop appropriate recommendations and conclusions and present this information in Presentations, Draft Reports and final Dissertation document.

6. Manage a personal learning process, demonstrate monitoring and revision procedures through the development of the dissertation and recognise the information and resource requirements of the study.
7. Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the standard scientific research processes, including study of assigned research guidance documents, review of published peer-reviewed scientific papers relating to water and wastewater services and statistical analysis of assigned scientific data.