University of London, Royal Holloway

Operations management is concerned with the design, planning, and control of operating systems for the provision of goods and services. This course provides an insight not only into the tools and techniques used in the development of operational systems but more importantly into the factors that affect the choice of operating methods. The course examines the different approaches to the planning cycle (process and facility design) with reference to the strategic aims of the organization. It also looks at the many different production control techniques: capacity planning, push and the Japanese perfected pull (just-in-time) systems and their effect on the effectiveness and efficiency of the organization.

The course provides an introduction to a particular aspect of sonic practices with the moving image. It focuses on a particular film sound context or approach defined chronologically, generically, or by composer (where appropriate). The exact content of the course varies from year to year, but might include one or more of the following: the sounds of early cinema; narrative film music and Hollywood; contemporary theory and analysis of music and the moving image; • auteur film music; the Hollywood musical; the sounds of television; music and animation; the sounds of video games; recontextualized music; opera and screen; European film music; and Hindi film.

In this course, students explore the musical rudiments that underpin their practical activities of singing, playing, and listening; how to listen to music tentatively; and how to hear and aurally analyze the musical parameters of meter, rhythm, pitch, timber, dynamics, expression, and structure. 

This course provides an introduction into the study of eco-criticism and environmental literatures. Students examine a range of literary and theoretical texts towards an understanding of the development and current issues in this growing interdisciplinary area of study. It examines topics such as the representation of landscape, pastoral, the social production of space, pollution, climate change, nature/anti-nature writing and recent work on interspecies relations. Examples for discussion are drawn from a range of genres that include fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and film.

This course introduces a wide range of repertories within the history of music. It stimulates students to relate features of musical compositions and performances to their wider historical contexts and gives students a fundamental knowledge of specific musical cultures. It provides students with opportunities to develop skills in research and information retrieval and in critical reading of primary and secondary literature, to receive formative feedback on those skills, and to build a foundation for higher-level study. 

This course explores the central developments in modern philosophy occurring between the foundation of modern empiricism and rationalism by Locke and Descartes in the 17th century, and the emergence of Kant’s philosophical system in the late 18th century. 

The course begins with a brief introduction to the marine environment and oceanography. Following on from this a number of topical subjects are used to illustrate recent developments in the field of marine ecology. The biodiversity and biogeography in the marine environment are illustrated with reference to selected habitats, namely coral reefs and the deep ocean. The biology of the deep ocean, in particular the biology of mid-water and hydrothermal vent communities, includes consideration of technological advances in deep ocean exploration. This theme is developed further in lectures on tracking studies, behavior, and conservation of marine megafauna, e.g. sharks, sea birds, and marine mammals. The topical issues of marine pollution (including plastics pollution), ocean acidification and global climate change is considered with respect to effects on marine biodiversity. 

This course develops students' advanced writing skills for academic attainment and employability. Students are introduced to key forms of writing from a variety of professional contexts. An initial focus on the academic essay enables students to develop writing from more familiar experience. Contrasting the academic essay with a variety of journalistic forms equips students with skills in writing to specific guidelines and briefs and craft their written voice. A project involving designing and promoting a virtual exhibition introduces students to the writing skills needed in heritage professions and group work. Real life writing and editing tasks introduced by industry professionals from the world of publishing provides students with practical experience to share with potential employers. Students are also introduced to the requirements of pitches, policy briefs, and the work of writing in the legal professions.