Water Services Management

Postgraduate Diploma in Science

Course Details

Course Code	SG_SWATE_O09
Level	9
Duration	2 years
Credits	60
Method of Delivery	Online
Campus Locations	Sligo
Mode of Delivery	Part Time

How to Apply

Course Overview

This Level 9 programme has been developed in collaboration with Irish Water and the Local Authority Services National Training Group (LASNTG) to address the increasing and demanding needs of professionals in the water and wastewater sectors. The programme is the first of its kind anywhere in the world to be made available online and on a part time basis.

Programme Structure

Year 1 focuses on developing a greater understanding of the management of people and organisations, project planning and implementation, and the legal and planning framework relevant to the water sector.

Year 2 targets water sector specific specialist topics on contracts and procurement, the integration of management systems, data analytics and information management, strategic management, innovative treatment processes and technologies and asset management and resilience. Having successfully completed Year 2, participants are entitled to be awarded the Post Graduate Diploma in Water Services Management. Alternatively, participants can proceed to Year 3 to complete an MSc.

Year 3 involves the completion of a Dissertation on a specialist research topic of particular relevance to the course participants and/or their employers and relating to a relevant technical or management aspect of a water services issue. Having successfully completed Year 3, participants are entitled to be awarded the M.Sc. in Water Services Management.

Course Details

Year 1

Semester	Module Details	Credits	Mandatory / Elective
1	Project Planning Effective planning is fundamental to project success. This module targets learners that do not have significant project management experience. It was created to provide learners with the essential concepts, knowledge and skills required to effectively plan projects in a modern context. This module initially provides an executive overview of the modern project management environment including the project lifecycle, organisational strategy, structure and culture. The core of this module focuses on key project planning topics such as project definition, estimating time, cost and schedules and managing risk. Learning Outcomes 1. Demonstrate a wide and systematic knowledge of project management principles and their practical application in the planning of projects 2. Appraise established project management planning knowledge areas, tools and techniques and explain how they can be used to achieve project goals and organisational strategic objectives. 3. Demonstrate and critically evaluate the main tools available for sucessful project planning including development of Work Breakdown Structures, time, cost and resource estimation techniques, network diagrams, PERT, Critical Chain analysis and supply chain management. 4. Have a critical awareness of the changing project environment in order to forecast and manage risks and challenges so that project deliverables and stakeholders expectations are achieved. 5. Analyse various methods of dealing with project contraints in order to reduce project duration, resource requirements or project costs.	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
1	Environmental Policy, Planning and EIA This module explores the origin and development of environmental policy at European and National level, how the Irish Planning system is used to protect the environment and the requirements of European and National legislation in relation to the environmental assessment of projects (Environmental Impact Assessment) and programmes (Strategic Environmental Assessment). Learning Outcomes 1. Critically review the development and implementation of environmental policy at Local, National and European level. 2. Explain the legislative framework of the Irish Planning system and how it can help to protect the environment. 3. Explain the legislative framework for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) at European and National level. 4. Explain the requirements of the EPA Guidelines for the preparation of an Environmental Impact Assessment Reports (EIAR). 5. Carry out a detailed review of an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR).	05	Mandatory
2	Environmental Legislation This subject introduces the learner to current environmental legal instruments and institutional structures and processes. The learner will will be able to identify, explain and critique environmental regulations and other interventions and safeguards in a European and Irish context. The learner will be able to plan and begin the compilation of a register of environmental legislation. Learning Outcomes 1. Demonstrate an applied knowledge and understanding of salient areas of environmental legislation, including the major obligations/provisions of the main Irish environmental Acts and S.I.’s and relevant international legal documents. 2. Evaluate the legal and institutional framework designed for environmental protection in Ireland. 3. Communicate information regarding environmental legislation in terms appropriate to the target audience. 4. Criticallyreview and interpret relevant legal instruments aimed at addressing current environmental issues and critically comment on the extent to which existing legislation addresses these issues 5. Assess the implications and effectiveness of the existing legislative framework in the wider socio-economic context.	05	Mandatory
2	Project Implementation This module targets learners that do not have significant project management experience. It focuses on project implementation and the sociocultural side of project management. The following are some of the key topics: role of project manager as a leader, stakeholder management and the creation of high performance teams, outsourcing and negotiation. The core of this module focuses on the kinds of information managers use to monitor project progress including earned value. Other topics include project closure, the emergence of agile project management and continuous professional development. Learning Outcomes 1. Posess a high level of understanding and insight into the key sociocultural areas such as being and effective project manager, managing stakeholder expectations, influencing, networking, ethics and the creation and management of high performance project teams. 2. Critically evaluate the main tools and techniques for progress and performance measurement and evaluation including earned value analysis. 3. Analyse the importance of the project closure phase and associated activities. 4. Critique the emergence of agile project management and its application, when compared to more traditional methodologies. 5. Develop a critical awareness of the importance of career development and continuous professional development in the field of project management.	05	Mandatory
2	Business Management and Entrepreneurship This subject takes a potential entrepreneur through the process of starting a business, from first thoughts about self-employment to the practicalities of start-up. The student will be required to generate a new Business Plan for a start-up business. For those students already in employment, this module will focus on 'intrapreneurship'. Intrapreneurship is the process by which companies seek to maintain their competitive edge in innovation and profit by asking employees to spawn new businesses within their company. This module would provide the student with a greater understanding of what it would take to run a particular aspect of the company, perhaps a new product line, department or subsidiary. Key reasons major corporations encourage intrapreneurship are: Technology and globalisation are increasing competition. Companies that can pounce quickly on new opportunities will have an advantage over slower competitors. A recent McKinsey report shows that a company's chances of holding on to a top position are fading. The key player in any industry will have a tougher time holding onto the top spot now more than ever. Leaders must become flexible and entrepreneurial. •Employee loyalty is ending. If employees feel their great idea would be better received by the competition, they will leave more quickly than ever before. Take, for example, the case of Palm. The company grew large; it started stifling intrapreneurship, and the founders left to start Handspring. Then Palm realised its mistake and purchased Handspring back at a huge cost. Topics to be addressed include: What makes a good entrepreneur / intrapreneur? Developing a strategy Market Research, Marketing & Advertising Innovation Financial support Preparing budgets and cash flow statements How to generate a business plan How to present your plan to potential investors It is not required that the proposed new business will be taken any further than the end of the academic year. The marking criteria will take into account how innovative the idea is, that the plan is realistic (potential sales, market share, market research, financial projections) and that students have addressed the main issues including staffing, funding, and route to market. Note: Guest lectures from industry and government agencies will be utilised on this course. Learning Outcomes 1. Prepare a Market Research and Feasibility Study for a new manufacturing or service business 2. Develop a Strategy, Mission Statement and Vision for the new business. 3. Identify the optimum business and legal structure and manage Intellectual Property requirements for the new business 4. Generate financial statements, operating budgets and cash flow statements. 5. Integrate all of the above items in order to prepare and present the business plan to a group of potential investors, state agencies and financiers	05	Mandatory

Year 2

Semester	Module Details	Credits	Mandatory / Elective
1	Contracts and Procurement 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. Learning Outcomes 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.	05	Mandatory
1	Integrated Management Systems 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. Learning Outcomes 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.	05	Mandatory
1	Data Analysis and Information Management 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. Learning Outcomes 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	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	Innovative Treatment Processes and Technologies 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. Learning Outcomes 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.	05	Mandatory
2	Asset Management and Resilience 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. Learning Outcomes 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.	05	Mandatory

Recommended Study Hours per week

Students typically allow 3-7 hours per week per 5 credit Module. There are 3 x 5 credit Modules delivered each Semester in Years 1 and 2.

Examination and Assessment

Assessment is a combination of continuous assessment and final exams.

On-Campus Attendance Requirement

Two one day workshops will take place each semester. Typically, one workshop will be held at ATU Sligo and the second may be located at another regional facility. Attendance at the workshops will be expected for all students.

Download a prospectus

Postgraduate Prospectus Online, Flexible & Professional Development Prospectus