Master of Engineering Management (MEM)
Develop research-informed judgement for managing engineering organisations, projects and technical assets.
About the course
Develop research-informed judgement for managing engineering organisations, projects and technical assets. The proposed masters outline connects management choices with engineering evidence and resource constraints. Southern African cases should examine how technical uncertainty, reliability, procurement and organisational responsibilities affect decisions, with a substantial independent investigation providing the final integration.
What you'll learn
Critically evaluate an engineering-management problem using multiple forms of evidence.
Compare investment, reliability or project options with explicit assumptions.
Design an ethical and feasible research investigation.
Defend findings and management recommendations within the limits of the study.
Requirements
Entry requires a relevant degree with suitable advanced study or a postgraduate diploma, subject to BMIT assessment of research preparation and supervision. English Language is required.
African Kalanga is a compulsory graduation subject in every year of this programme. BMIT confirms the approved entry route, any recognition of prior learning and access to required practical facilities before enrolment.
Course Content
The subjects are grouped by learning stage, from foundations to specialist study and supervised application. Complete earlier foundations before the related advanced work. Clinical, laboratory, field and workplace subjects use approved facilities and supervision appropriate to the programme.
3 learning levels 18 subjects
Select a subject to read its learning outcomes, main topics, practical task and assessment.
Level 1: Postgraduate disciplinary study
Africa Indigenous Language: African Kalanga 101Compulsory graduation subject · Year 1
Develop African Kalanga through foundations for engineering, science and technology. Practise with authentic tasks, feedback and reflection across the programme year.
Learning outcomes
- Use African Kalanga accurately for Year 1 study and practice.
- Explain language choices to the intended audience.
- Revise your work using speaker and facilitator feedback.
Main topics
- Pronunciation
- Everyday vocabulary
- Listening
- Reading and respectful introductions
Practical task
Record a short introduction and explain its meaning to a peer.
Assessment
Submit the practical work, a brief reflection and evidence of language review. Assessment checks meaning, audience fit and improvement after feedback.
Entrepreneurship, Creativity and Innovation 101Compulsory core module · Level 1
Identify a real need, study the people affected and develop a responsible idea for a product, service or process. Apply critical analysis and relevant research to a specialist setting. Apply this learning to Master of Engineering Management (MEM) through an authentic brief and feedback from an appropriate audience.
Learning outcomes
- Investigate a defined opportunity and explain the evidence behind it.
- Develop and refine a creative response that fits the people and setting.
- Evaluate feasibility, ethical implications and the quality of the result.
Main topics
- Opportunity recognition
- Creative problem framing
- Community and user research
- Ethics and inclusion
- Idea generation and selection
Practical task
Investigate a need related to Master of Engineering Management (MEM). Interview or observe intended users with consent, compare possible responses and present one justified concept.
Assessment
Submit an opportunity brief, research notes, a concept sketch and a reflection on feedback. Support your decisions with current research and a critical account of limitations. Assessment considers the quality of the evidence, the response to feedback, feasibility and your individual explanation.
African History and Pan Africanism 101Compulsory core module · Level 1
Study African history through oral, written and archaeological evidence. Examine the diversity of African societies, knowledge and exchange, then trace the emergence of Pan African ideas about identity, solidarity and self-determination.
Learning outcomes
- Place selected African societies and events within a supported historical timeline.
- Compare historical sources and identify perspective, evidence and uncertainty.
- Explain the foundations of Pan Africanism and the contributions of Africans and the diaspora.
Main topics
- Historical inquiry, chronology, oral traditions and source evaluation
- African civilisations, states, trade, livelihoods and knowledge systems
- Southern African history, including Mapungubgwe and Great Zimbabwe
- Slavery, the African diaspora and changing ideas about identity
- Origins of Pan Africanism, solidarity, self-determination and cultural expression
Practical task
Create an annotated timeline or digital learning poster on a selected African society or historical development. Compare at least two credible sources and explain one connection with your field of study.
Assessment
Submit the timeline or poster, an annotated source list and a short explanation of the evidence. Assessment considers chronology, historical accuracy, source judgement and the clarity of your interpretation.
Learning resources
Project Planning and Management
Examine scope, work breakdown and their relationship within project planning and management. The subject develops scheduling and resources, then examines risk and progress control. Build and update a plan for a realistic technical or service project.
Learning outcomes
- Explain scope and work breakdown using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving scheduling and resources.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing risk and progress control.
Main topics
- Scope
- Work breakdown
- Scheduling
- Resources
- Risk
- Progress control
Practical task
Build and update a plan for a realistic technical or service project.
Assessment
Submit a project plan, risk register and progress-review case.
Engineering Economics
Develop your understanding of engineering economics through time value of money and cost estimation. The subject develops lifecycle costs and investment appraisal, then examines sensitivity and resource decisions. Compare two feasible project options using transparent cost assumptions.
Learning outcomes
- Explain time value of money and cost estimation using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving lifecycle costs and investment appraisal.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing sensitivity and resource decisions.
Main topics
- Time value of money
- Cost estimation
- Lifecycle costs
- Investment appraisal
- Sensitivity
- Resource decisions
Practical task
Compare two feasible project options using transparent cost assumptions.
Assessment
Submit an economic appraisal and sensitivity analysis.
Maintenance and Reliability
Study asset functions and failure modes as foundations for maintenance and reliability. The subject develops preventive maintenance and condition information, then examines availability and maintenance records. Develop a maintenance proposal for an approved teaching asset.
Learning outcomes
- Explain asset functions and failure modes using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving preventive maintenance and condition information.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing availability and maintenance records.
Main topics
- Asset functions
- Failure modes
- Preventive maintenance
- Condition information
- Availability
- Maintenance records
Practical task
Develop a maintenance proposal for an approved teaching asset.
Assessment
Submit a reliability analysis and justified maintenance schedule.
Quality Management and Improvement
Examine quality criteria, process variation and their relationship within quality management and improvement. The subject develops traceability and nonconformity, then examines corrective action and improvement measures. Investigate a quality problem using permissioned records or teaching data.
Learning outcomes
- Explain quality criteria and process variation using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving traceability and nonconformity.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing corrective action and improvement measures.
Main topics
- Quality criteria
- Process variation
- Traceability
- Nonconformity
- Corrective action
- Improvement measures
Practical task
Investigate a quality problem using permissioned records or teaching data.
Assessment
Submit a quality review and a measurable improvement proposal.
Level 2: Specialist analysis and application
Entrepreneurship, Creativity and Innovation 201Compulsory core module · Level 2
Turn a promising idea into a testable proposal using evidence, creative methods and basic resource planning. Apply critical analysis and relevant research to a specialist setting. Apply this learning to Master of Engineering Management (MEM) through an authentic brief and feedback from an appropriate audience.
Learning outcomes
- Investigate a defined opportunity and explain the evidence behind it.
- Develop and refine a creative response that fits the people and setting.
- Evaluate feasibility, ethical implications and the quality of the result.
Main topics
- Co-design and prototyping
- Value proposition
- Feasibility and costs
- Risk and responsible practice
- Testing and iteration
Practical task
Develop a small prototype or service model for a Master of Engineering Management (MEM) problem. Test it with relevant users, record feedback and revise the proposal.
Assessment
Submit a prototype, a feasibility note, user feedback and a record of revisions. Support your decisions with current research and a critical account of limitations. Assessment considers the quality of the evidence, the response to feedback, feasibility and your individual explanation.
African History and Pan Africanism 201Compulsory core module · Level 2
Examine colonial change, resistance and liberation across Africa, with attention to Zimbabwe and South Africa. Compare Pan African movements, organisations and debates, including contributions from women, workers and diaspora communities.
Learning outcomes
- Analyse the effects of colonial rule on land, labour, institutions and social relations.
- Compare liberation movements and Pan African arguments using contextual evidence.
- Explain how different groups shaped independence, solidarity and debates about freedom.
Main topics
- Colonial rule, land, labour, education and forms of resistance
- Nationalism, liberation and the end of colonial rule and apartheid
- Pan African congresses, organisations and contrasting interpretations
- Women, labour movements and diaspora participation
- The Organisation of African Unity and debates about unity, sovereignty and development
Practical task
Develop a comparative case study of a liberation issue or Pan African debate relevant to Southern Africa. Use a historical document alongside a scholarly account and explain differences in purpose and interpretation.
Assessment
Submit the case study, a source comparison and a reflection on your conclusions. Assessment considers context, evidence, recognition of different perspectives and the quality of your argument.
Learning resources
Operations Research
Develop your understanding of operations research through linear programming and network models. The subject develops queues and simulation, then examines decision analysis and sensitivity. Model a production or service problem and compare feasible solutions.
Learning outcomes
- Explain linear programming and network models using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving queues and simulation.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing decision analysis and sensitivity.
Main topics
- Linear programming
- Network models
- Queues
- Simulation
- Decision analysis
- Sensitivity
Practical task
Model a production or service problem and compare feasible solutions.
Assessment
Submit a model, results and operational interpretation.
Leadership and Change in Engineering Organisations
Study leadership approaches and team relationships as foundations for leadership and change in engineering organisations. The subject develops change and conflict, then examines professional accountability and organisational learning. Analyse a service-change case and design a stakeholder engagement approach.
Learning outcomes
- Explain leadership approaches and team relationships using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving change and conflict.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing professional accountability and organisational learning.
Main topics
- Leadership approaches
- Team relationships
- Change
- Conflict
- Professional accountability
- Organisational learning
Practical task
Analyse a service-change case and design a stakeholder engagement approach.
Assessment
Submit a leadership and implementation plan.
Manufacturing Systems
Examine process layouts, automation and their relationship within manufacturing systems. The subject develops bottlenecks and flexible production, then examines maintenance interfaces and system performance. Model a small production system using a simulation or teaching observations.
Learning outcomes
- Explain process layouts and automation using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving bottlenecks and flexible production.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing maintenance interfaces and system performance.
Main topics
- Process layouts
- Automation
- Bottlenecks
- Flexible production
- Maintenance interfaces
- System performance
Practical task
Model a small production system using a simulation or teaching observations.
Assessment
Submit an integrated system-improvement report.
Industrial Logistics
Develop your understanding of industrial logistics through material flows and warehousing. The subject develops transport and inventory policy, then examines supply coordination and service levels. Analyse an approved logistics case and compare service-cost options.
Learning outcomes
- Explain material flows and warehousing using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving transport and inventory policy.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing supply coordination and service levels.
Main topics
- Material flows
- Warehousing
- Transport
- Inventory policy
- Supply coordination
- Service levels
Practical task
Analyse an approved logistics case and compare service-cost options.
Assessment
Submit a logistics plan supported by quantitative evidence.
Level 3: Supervised research or applied integration
Africa Indigenous Language: African Kalanga 201Compulsory graduation subject · Year 2
Develop African Kalanga through applied communication for engineering, science and technology. Practise with authentic tasks, feedback and reflection across the programme year.
Learning outcomes
- Use African Kalanga accurately for Year 2 study and practice.
- Explain language choices to the intended audience.
- Revise your work using speaker and facilitator feedback.
Main topics
- Workplace vocabulary
- Questions
- Instructions
- Short messages and feedback
Practical task
Prepare and test a bilingual message for a realistic community or workplace situation.
Assessment
Submit the practical work, a brief reflection and evidence of language review. Assessment checks meaning, audience fit and improvement after feedback.
Entrepreneurship, Creativity and Innovation 301Compulsory core module · Level 3
Plan and evaluate the practical introduction of an innovation in a relevant organisation or community. Apply critical analysis and relevant research to a specialist setting. Apply this learning to Master of Engineering Management (MEM) through an authentic brief and feedback from an appropriate audience.
Learning outcomes
- Investigate a defined opportunity and explain the evidence behind it.
- Develop and refine a creative response that fits the people and setting.
- Evaluate feasibility, ethical implications and the quality of the result.
Main topics
- Implementation planning
- Stakeholder engagement
- Resources and finance
- Monitoring and impact
- Learning from a pilot
Practical task
Prepare and defend a pilot plan for an innovation relevant to Master of Engineering Management (MEM). Set measures of success, identify risks and explain how results will guide improvement.
Assessment
Submit a pilot plan, budget assumptions, evaluation measures and an individual rationale. Support your decisions with current research and a critical account of limitations. Assessment considers the quality of the evidence, the response to feedback, feasibility and your individual explanation.
Advanced Research Design
Study research positioning and theoretical frameworks as foundations for advanced research design. The subject develops method comparison and validity, then examines research ethics and feasibility. Defend an advanced study design against plausible alternatives.
Learning outcomes
- Explain research positioning and theoretical frameworks using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving method comparison and validity.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing research ethics and feasibility.
Main topics
- Research positioning
- Theoretical frameworks
- Method comparison
- Validity
- Research ethics
- Feasibility
Practical task
Defend an advanced study design against plausible alternatives.
Assessment
Submit a research protocol and critical methodological defence.
Research Proposal and Protocol
Examine problem significance, literature synthesis and their relationship within research proposal and protocol. The subject develops research questions and protocol development, then examines ethics approval and work plan. Develop a supervised research protocol and defend its feasibility.
Learning outcomes
- Explain problem significance and literature synthesis using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving research questions and protocol development.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing ethics approval and work plan.
Main topics
- Problem significance
- Literature synthesis
- Research questions
- Protocol development
- Ethics approval
- Work plan
Practical task
Develop a supervised research protocol and defend its feasibility.
Assessment
Submit the approved proposal and a research seminar presentation.
Dissertation Research and Defence
Develop your understanding of dissertation research and defence through data stewardship and analysis. The subject develops interpretation and research contribution, then examines limitations and scholarly communication. Complete approved research under supervision and retain reproducible evidence.
Learning outcomes
- Explain data stewardship and analysis using an appropriate example.
- Analyse a subject-related problem involving interpretation and research contribution.
- Present reasoned evidence addressing limitations and scholarly communication.
Main topics
- Data stewardship
- Analysis
- Interpretation
- Research contribution
- Limitations
- Scholarly communication
Practical task
Complete approved research under supervision and retain reproducible evidence.
Assessment
Submit a dissertation and defend methods, findings and limitations orally.
Practical Learning
Authentic e-learning at BMIT
BMIT uses Authentic E-Learning to connect your studies with practical problems in your field. You use digital resources to investigate a realistic brief, make decisions and produce work for a defined purpose and audience. Your qualification's activities below put this approach into practice.
How you will learn
The approach draws on nine elements of authentic learning:
- Realistic contexts: Work with situations relevant to your profession or community.
- Purposeful tasks: Investigate a substantial problem with more than one possible solution.
- Expert examples: Examine demonstrations and examples of professional reasoning.
- Different perspectives: Compare sources and consider the needs of different people.
- Collaboration: Share ideas and review work with peers, while showing your own contribution.
- Reflection: Record what worked, what changed and what needs improvement.
- Explanation: Present your reasoning and support your decisions with evidence.
- Guidance: Use tutor feedback and structured support as you develop independence.
- Authentic assessment: Demonstrate learning through the task and its practical outcome.
From a brief to a practical outcome
Start by identifying the problem, intended audience and assessment criteria. Investigate relevant evidence, plan your response and develop an initial solution. Use discussion and feedback to test your ideas, then revise your work and explain your choices.
Digital tools support research, collaboration, simulation and the presentation of evidence. Your output depends on the module. Examples include a business proposal, technical design, tested program, investigation report or community resource. Keep drafts, calculations, test results and reflections to show how your work developed.
The module brief sets the required tasks, individual and group responsibilities, submission format and assessment criteria. The practical activities and supervision requirements for this qualification are set out below.
Research informing this approach
- Herrington, J. Authentic Learning: nine elements of authentic learning.
- Lombardi, M. M. (2007). Authentic learning for the 21st century: An overview. EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative.
- Parker, J., Maor, D. and Herrington, J. (2013). Authentic online learning: Aligning learner needs, pedagogy and technology. Issues in Educational Research, 23(2), 227–241.
Use guided online cases and data tasks to prepare for practical work. Laboratory, field or equipment tasks require suitable facilities and supervision.
What you will practise
- Maintenance and Reliability: Develop a maintenance proposal for an approved teaching asset.
- Manufacturing Systems: Model a small production system using a simulation or teaching observations.
- Research Proposal and Protocol: Develop a supervised research protocol and defend its feasibility.
Applied project
The project needs a suitable supervisor and authorised access to organisational evidence. Confidential commercial and staff information requires clear data arrangements. Learners should separate empirical findings from recommendations and discuss alternative explanations. A management masters does not independently establish professional engineering registration or technical signing authority.
Evidence and feedback
- A completed practical task with an explanation of the method, evidence and decisions.
- An applied project or research proposal addressing a defined Southern African institutional or community problem.
- An independently assessed report or dissertation with an oral presentation, according to an approved BMIT route and assessment policy.
Assessment considers the practical work you submit, the evidence behind your decisions and how you respond to feedback.
African History and Pan Africanism practical learning
- African History and Pan Africanism 101: Create an annotated timeline or digital learning poster on a selected African society or historical development. Compare at least two credible sources and explain one connection with your field of study.
- African History and Pan Africanism 201: Develop a comparative case study of a liberation issue or Pan African debate relevant to Southern Africa. Use a historical document alongside a scholarly account and explain differences in purpose and interpretation.
Career Prospects
These examples show work across this qualification pathway, from support roles to specialist and management posts. Your entry point depends on your study, experience and employer requirements. Regulated roles require separate recognition or registration.
Top Career Paths and Job Titles
- Engineering project analyst: Tracks scope, cost, quality and technical risks.
- Technical operations manager: Coordinates engineering teams and service delivery.
- Asset performance manager: Uses reliability and cost evidence to plan improvements.
- Engineering programme manager: Oversees linked projects and technical assurance.
- Engineering director: Guides strategy, investment and professional accountability.
Growth and Leadership Trajectory
- Starting practice: After meeting entry and any registration requirements, begin with the work represented by Engineering project analyst. Build supervised experience and keep a record of reliable work.
- Specialist progression: Relevant study and evidence from more complex projects support a move towards Technical operations manager or Asset performance manager.
- Leadership: With substantial experience, a role such as Engineering director adds responsibility for people, quality, budgets or service decisions.
Further Education to Boost Prospects
- Doctoral study: A PhD or other suitable doctorate in engineering management is a possible later route. BMIT does not currently list a doctoral programme.
Professional Certifications and Registrations
- Role-specific requirements: No single statutory credential covers every role in engineering management. Employers may require a relevant short course, supervised experience or role-specific licence. Check the requirements for the job and country before applying.
Potential Government and Industrial Employers
- Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management: Start or manage a small venture related to this field. Regulated work still requires the relevant professional registration or licence.
- Private and commercial organisations: Manufacturing and process plants.
- Specialist employers: Industrial engineering consultancies.
- Research and community organisations: Mining and logistics operations.
- Government departments and public bodies: Industrial development and public-works agencies.