module specification

The module enables students to demonstrate their acquired knowledge and skills through a systematic and creative investigation of a project work, either individually or as part of a group, in accordance with their course requirements. The topic of investigation will cover a broad spectrum of various analysis and techniques and will lead to a comprehensive and concise academic/industry-related report. Students will be assisted in exploring areas that may be unfamiliar to them and encouraged to develop innovative ideas and techniques. Students will be able to choose a project that may require the solution to a specific problem, creation of an artefact in a real-world environment or an investigation of innovative ideas and techniques related to an area within their field of study. Collaboration with outside agencies and projects with industrial, business or research partners/ sponsors will be encouraged.

The module aims to develop a wide range of subject specific cognitive abilities and skills relating to intellectual tasks, including practical skills and additional transferable skills of a more general nature and applicable in many other contexts.

Additionally, the module aims to:

• Provide an opportunity to learn, through supervised experience, how to plan and carry out a project through a systematic and creative approach;

• Encourage innovation and originality in approach to investigating a problem in an area that my be unfamiliar to the student;

• Provide opportunity for in depth study of some specialised area of suitable scale and complexity relevant to their course of study;

• Raise awareness in potential business development opportunities in connection to the project work undertaken and of any ethical, legal and professional issues;

• Develop reporting skills as well as the ability to communicate results, conclusions, and the  knowledge and rationale underpinning these, to specialists and non-specialists audiences, clearly and unambiguously;

• Enhance professional and personal development.

Each project will differ in specific content but students will be expected to:

• Explore unfamiliar territories and adopt a multidisciplinary approach where applicable;

• Demonstrate confidence in applying original and innovative ideas;

• Apply suitable methodology, including use of software, evaluation and verification of results;

• Reflect critically upon the work undertaken and its limitations;

• Execute a plan of work to achieve set targets within time limits;

• Produce a clear and well structured project report/documentation.
 

Students will either propose their own project, or select from a list of previously approved projects provided by staff and industrial partners/clients. The list will be made available to students via a dedicated web site. Students’ own proposals will be subject to an approval process to ensure that they are of the appropriate scale and standard for the final year project and reflect the title and aims of their degree course.

Students will be allocated a supervisor, based on the project on which they are working, and the supervisor will be the main contact point for the student during the course of the project. There will be at least six formal, recorded sessions with the supervisor, during the project.  Students may be supervised individually or in groups by their supervisor.

The project is a major piece of work equating to about 300 hours of learning time for each student which will be reflected in the quality and quantity of work submitted.

The student will be responsible for the day to day organisation and management of the project and for ensuring that the project is delivered on time.  The supervisor will act in an advisory capacity, offering advice and guidance as necessary to ensure that the student remains on track.
Students will be required to formally plan their project.

All projects will contain two milestones:

1. A formal progress review will be undertaken at the midpoint of the project, at which point guidance can be given and remedial action taken as necessary to ensure that the project remains on track.
2. The final submission will mark the formal end of project activity and the date by which all work on the project should be completed.

There will be a project show at the end of the year to celebrate students' achievements. Students will have opportunities to exhibit their project work during the event where stakeholders and students' friends and families would be invited and project prizes could be awarded.

On completion of the module the student should be able to:

The assessment on this module is 100% coursework with the major element of this being the final submission at the end of their project which will be blind double marked in accordance with the requirements of the relevant accrediting body and the university guidelines.  This consists of:

• The final report submission assessing all learning outcomes, but particularly number 7 and which must be passed. 
• The project process, for which students will submit their log book, and other supporting evidence, together with any artefacts produced during the project.  This element principally assesses the quality of the final artefact produced and design process by which this was achieved as set out in learning outcomes 1 to 6, and
• The interim report which provides an important milestone at the end of the first term, giving staff and students the opportunity to assess progress, highlight any potential issues and give guidance on report-writing style.

Both formative and summative interim assessments will be used to ensure students are fully engaged with their projects and that appropriate progress is being made.

The student will be required to attend and pass a viva voce examination (which may incorporate a presentation), at which both the supervisor and second marker will be in attendance.  This will act as a final opportunity for any unresolved questions to be addressed and feedback to be given.

Learning Manager Meetings: in order to pass this module, students must attend at least two meetings with their Learning Manager (one in Autumn and one in Spring) in order to reflect upon, discuss and plan their approach to learning and organisation of their study.

A project-specific bibliography will be given to the student as part of their specification.

Students may find the following recommended texts useful.

• Breach, M. (2009), Dissertation Writing for Engineers and Scientists, Pearson Education Ltd.

• Dawson, C. (2009), Projects in Computing and Information Systems - A Student Guide, Addison Wesley.

• Weaver, P. (2004) Success in Your Project, Pearson Education Limited.