Engineering Management - The lost discipline?

The management content of engineering degree programmes today is variable. It is not uncommon for students to struggle to see the relevance of the subject to their engineering studies and consequently not realise the full benefit of this part of their education. With increasing interest in the relevance of higher education to a graduate's career after study, the argument can be made for a more thoughtful exploration of how we introduce the management discipline to developing engineers. The value of a sound grounding in management is often realised by engineers after graduation. Of all the specialist divisions and groups offered by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers for instance, it is the Management Group that is identified by most members as being of interest. Engineering Management is clearly relevant, so how do we make it more engaging for our students? This paper will explore what we mean by engineering management and describe the approach taken at Aston University when introducing a Masters programme in engineering management. The motivation for students to enrol will be discussed along with the creative approaches to teaching and learning that have seen the programme become well established within the School of Engineering and Applied Science. Importantly, the future development of the programme and the opportunities to transfer experience to undergraduate engineering programmes will be considered.