SYLLABUS—SPRING SEMESTER 2005

MARSHALL UNIVERSITY

 

 

Course Name:                        Project Management

                                                Engineering Management 660

 

Instructor:      Bill Mankins 304-525-6002; E-mail: metalans@cs.com,

FAX:  304-697-5361

 

Course Credit:  3 Semester Hours

 

Prerequisite:  Graduate Program, a willingness to learn, and active class participation is  

imperative.

 

Required Text: Project Management—A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and

Controlling, Harold Kerzner, Eighth Edition, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 2003.

 

Computer Requirements:  Microsoft® Project or similar software will be used

extensively.  Assignments utilizing MS Project will be done throughout the course.   Knowledge of MS Access will be helpful but not required.

 

Course Description:   This course presents concepts, methodology, and structure to help people at all levels to lead and participate successfully in projects, both individually and within various organizations.  Attention is given to setting objectives, staffing, developing and using accountability, organizing teams, dealing with conflict, organizing work, planning, scheduling, communicating, controlling, and leading.

 

Expectations:  There will be lectures, discussions, and group exercises.  Completion of reading assignments is expected. Working in groups is essential for parts of the class and assignments.  Quizzes will be unannounced.  It can be seen in the grading breakdown below that homework constitutes the biggest portion of the final grade.  Homework consists of written assignments, computer exercises using Microsoft Project, and problems that are practical, involve common sense, logic and mathematical solutions.  The intent of the course is to be useful, practical with real-life problems and most importantly, the instructor and the students will enjoy the experience. There will not be a final exam.

 

Grading:         20%     Attendance and Participation (See Attendance Policy below)

                        10%     Quizzes (Unannounced, approximately 6 during the course)

                        40%     Homework Assignments

                        30%     Final Project

 

Letter Grades:           “A”  (90 to 100%)   For Achievement of Distinction  This grade shows outstanding achievement in the work performed—beyond what would be considered average or merely acceptable for the assignment(s).  Work is accomplished in a manner showing outstanding or excellent understanding of the concepts being studied and their application.

 

      “B”   (80-90%)   For Competent and Fully Acceptable Work  Demonstrates good understanding and application of the concepts when fulfilling the assignment(s).  Work completed in an average, competent and acceptable manner, but is not particularly outstanding or exceeds expectations.  Complete and satisfactory results, but not exemplary in content or presentation.

 

      “C”   (70-80%)   For Below Average Performance   This grade would be given for not adequately fulfilling what was asked for in an assignment.  For example, perhaps only part, or even most of an assignment was completed, but not in its entirety, or perhaps the assignment was completed but did not demonstrate competency, thus leading to a below average performance.

 

      “D”   (Less than 70%)   For Sub-standard Work  This grade would be given for work lacking in content, organization, or not submitted in time to meet schedules.

 

      “F”   (Less than 70%)   For Unsatisfactory Work  Failure to complete assignments, failure to submit work on schedule, and failure to present work that is understandable and provides information as specified.

 

      “I”   (Incomplete)   Given to students  not completing course requirements because of illness or other reasons deemed valid by the instructor and/or department.     

 

Policy On Homework: Homework assignments will be due at the beginning of the class period.  Late homework will be accepted with a 10% penalty for each class period or portion of each week between class periods after the due date.  Unless specifically agreed-to with the instructor in extenuating circumstances, homework due the day of an excused absence is to be emailed or post-marked no later than the due date in order to avoid the late homework penalty.  If you are absent, it is your responsibility to obtain the next assignment before the next class period.

 

Professional Quality Work:  It will be required that all work submitted for any assignment in the course will exhibit professional quality.  Spelling errors, grammatical mistakes, poorly drawn sketches or illustrations or graphs are not acceptable.  All work will be viewed as if it were to be submitted to the President of one’s company and none will be submitted on colored paper; sheets torn from a spiral notebook or written on a size other than 8.5” x 11” without approval.

 

Policy On Final Project:  A final team project is required of each student.  Details will be discussed in class when the final projects are started (last 4 or 5 weeks of classes).

 

Attendance Policy:  Full (100%) attendance at all classes is expected.  To be “Excused,” absences must be communicated to the instructor in advance, or as soon as reasonably possible in the case of an emergency.  Class participation grade will be based on student attendance and quality of participation—Daily scoring is as follows: 0 = unexcused absence, 1 = excused absence, 2 = attends full class period, 3 = individual participation significantly contributes to class understanding and learning, based on instructor’s judgment.