Loughborough University
Leicestershire, UK
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Loughborough University

Programme Specifications

Programme Specification

MSc Information and Knowledge Management

Academic Year: 2014/15

This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if full advantage is taken of the learning opportunities that are provided.

This specification applies to delivery of the programme in the Academic Year indicated above. Prospective students reviewing this information for a later year of study should be aware that these details are subject to change as outlined in our Terms and Conditions of Study.

This specification should be read in conjunction with:

  • Summary
  • Aims
  • Learning outcomes
  • Structure
  • Progression & weighting

Programme summary

Awarding body/institution Loughborough University
Teaching institution (if different)
Owning school/department School of Business and Economics
Details of accreditation by a professional/statutory body

Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals

Final award MSc/PGDip/PGCert
Programme title Information and Knowledge Management
Programme code ISPT37/38
Length of programme The minimum period of study for the award of MSc is one calendar year full-time. The minimum period of study for the award of PGDip is nine months full-time. The minimum period of study for the award of PGCert is one semester, full-time.
UCAS code
Admissions criteria

http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/

Date at which the programme specification was published Wed, 24 Sep 2014 22:56:17 BST

1. Programme Aims

  • Develop a critical understanding of the professional, managerial, cognitive, ethical, legal and technical dimensions of information management and knowledge management;
  • Develop and apply advanced abilities in collecting, assimilating and using information and knowledge resources in support of specific organisational objectives;
  • Acquire critical reading and research skills appropriate to researching issues of information and knowledge management within the workplace;
  • Complete a self-directed and managed piece of research exploring the dimensions of information and knowledge management relevant to current business practice;
  • Analyse the changing theoretical context in which research on information and knowledge management has developed;
  • Enhance employment skills, with particular reference to employment in positions where awareness of information and knowledge management is essential.

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

  • QAA Subject Benchmark Statement for Librarianship and Information Management (2007)

http://www.qaa.ac.uk/academicinfrastructure/benchmark/statements/librarianship07.pdf

https://internal.lboro.ac.uk/sci/ls/dept/L&T%20documents/Learning%20and%20Teaching%20Strategy%20revised%20Feb02.doc

  • QAA: Framework for Higher Education Qualifications

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

  • the current theories, principles and practice of information and knowledge management
  • the history, concepts and antecedents of knowledge management and its current role in organisations
  • the development and implementation of information and knowledge management policies and strategies
  • the importance of intellectual capital, combined with its ethical management and exploitation within organisations
  • the importance of relevant technologies, combined with human resource management strategies, change management and organisational culture as an integral part of successful information and knowledge management. 

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:
  • Evaluate the range of methods available in order to critically analyse tangible and intangible knowledge assets in an organisation
  • Apply technical and managerial concepts, theories and evidence to demonstrate a conceptual understanding of alternative information and knowledge management practices in an organisation
  • Demonstrate initiative and originality by applying appropriate theory, practices and tools for the specification, design and implementation of information and knowledge management systems, including the use of Intranets and collaborative technological tools
  • Demonstrate a level of conceptual understanding in order to critically evaluate how knowledge bases are constructed, organised and maintained, utilising knowledge from the forefront of the discipline
  • Apply expert information searching and retrieval skills, as well as those skills essential to effective information and knowledge organisation and retrieval, including the use of metadata and taxonomies
  • Act autonomously in planning and successfully completing an original piece of research on information and knowledge management at a high professional and academic level, dovetailing both theoretical rigour and solid analysis.
b. Subject-specific practical skills:
  • Critically read, evaluate and summarise current academic debates pertaining to information and knowledge management
  • Successfully model the design of an effective information portal using appropriate practical techniques and tools
  • Critically evaluate and select a range of information and knowledge management systems and solutions using a structured feature analysis process
  • Successfully analyse and interpret business intelligence data to solve a range of information and knowledge management problems via quantitative techniques
  • Manage the research process, conducting research in a way that is consistent with both professional practice and the principles of research ethics. 
c. Key transferable skills:
  • Communication skills: writing, dissemination and media skills
  • Oral presentation skills for seminars, workshops, business meetings and conferences
  • Research management and time management skills
  • Bibliographic and computing skills
  • Decision-making ability in complex and unpredictable situations
  • Management and leadership skills
  • Independent learning ability required for continuing professional development

4. Programme structure

To be eligible for consideration for these awards, students must have studied the following modules:

Semester One           

All compulsory modules

           

Title

Credit Value

ISP509

Business Intelligence and Analysis

15

ISP487

Principles of Information and Knowledge Management

15

ISP503

Information Architecture

15

ISP535

Research Management

15

Semester Two           

All compulsory modules 

           

Title

Credit Value

ISP501

Information Retrieval for Knowledge Management

15

COP400

Web Design and Web Analytics

15

COP453

Information Systems and Modelling 

15

ISP310

Leadership and Change Management

15

ISP600/601

Dissertation (full or part-time)

60

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to be eligible for the award, candidates must satisfy the requirements of Regulation XXI.

Provision will be made in accordance with Regulation XXI  for candidates who have the right of re-assessment in any module other than ISP600 or ISP601 to undergo re-assessment in the University’s special assessment period.

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the Purposes of Final Degree Classification

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