module specification

This module provides an opportunity for students to extend their studies in particular fields of
interest that appertain to their future career aspirations. Students are expected to bring together
the academic content and skills developed in a range of modules in an interdisciplinary way.
Semester: Autumn and Spring
Prerequisite: Satisfactory progression to the final year of a BSc Single Honours in Computing,
Mobile Computing, Internet Computing or Business Computing
Assessment: Coursework 100%: - Interim Report (10%) and Project Report and Viva Voce(90%)

Satisfactory progression to the final year of a BSc Single Honours in Computing, Mobile Computing, Internet Computing or Business Computing

This core module provides development opportunity for graduate attributes A1, A2, and A3 and the completion of a Personal Develop Plan (PDP):
• Provides the opportunity for individual study in depth of some specialised area of computing of
suitable scale and complexity.
• Supports students in making self-determined decisions concerning the applicability of their study to their personal career goals and aspirations (A1)
• Provides an opportunity to develop a range of skills associated with research including analysis, interpretation, written expression, formal report writing and self-disciplined study (A2)
• Provides a showcase for students to demonstrate their ability to apply the knowledge and skills they have acquired throughout the course to a significant and specialised task (A2)
• Encourages reflection upon the relationship of design decisions to the appropriateness of the finished task (A3)

The Computing project will normally be in an area of work that emphasises the software infrastructure associated with computer systems. Possible topic areas include, but are not limited to:

development of existing systems;
new algorithmic developments;
program correctness, complexity;
software implementation on limited resource devices;
multi-processor systems, e.g grid architecture;
development of secure systems;
reliability issues;
integration of new hardware via software development;
applied AI techniques.
distributed computing paradigms;
mobile computing system integration;
wireless networking protocols;
HCI and mobile devices;
enterprise system development - strategies and techniques;
enterprise/Industry API exploration eg Facebook/Amazon
Internet and Web applications

Other areas of work may be included as subject area develops.

The major topics of study on this module include:-
- types of project and research methods
- methodologies and project planning
- software testing and usability evaluation techniques
- report structure and presentation
- interpreting project assessment criteria for different project types
- oral presentation skills
- personal planning for career goals to support completion of a Personal Development Plan

Opportunities for Formative Feedback:
Feedback is continuously provided at regular supervisor's meetings
10 hrs / student / year / supervisor for project supervision
24 hrs for seminars by module organiser (induction + support)
24 hrs for PDP/PP development support and moderation
230 hrs for student's self-directed study

A period for research (12 hours) will be set aside after project submission and before the viva voce for completion of a Personal Development Plan (A1)

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:-
- Apply methodologies, theories, skills and tools learning during the course (A2) and
incorporate, where appropriate, best practice in terms of professional, technical and ethical issues
(A3).
- Make self-determined choices about their own learning agenda in relation to their career
aspirations (A1)
- Time-manage a substantial task through the creation of milestones and self-managed study
(A1).
- Understand the role of deliverables at various stages of a projects development(A2).
- Critically evaluate the results of the project in relation to the goals that they have set (A1)
- Organise and present documentation in a professional manner (A2)
- Have developed a final profile (the new graduate’s CV) of personal/professional attributes
within the context of qualities and transferable skills, including self-evaluation, necessary for
employment and further study or professional development, articulated through the personal
development plan (A1).

The assessment for this module is based upon 100% coursework based on a substantial Project Report and a Viva Voce resulting in a single mark.

• Assessment Method:
The assessment will be based on the progress made under supervision as evidenced in the logbook, the final report and the viva voce.
The completed Personal Development Plan (PDP) to be submitted at the Viva (consisting of final self-evaluation and plan for lifelong learning). The PDP does not receive a formal mark.
• Assessment Evidence
- The logbook holds details of all supervisor's meetings and must contain entries at three critical
stages.
. The content and presentation of the final report.
- The Viva Voce provides an opportunity for objective academic judgement and for the student to demonstrate their skills and understanding.
- The workbook is a binder of all the student's working notes, emails, drafts etc.

Recommended Texts:

Dawson, Christian W.(2005) Projects in Computing and Information Systems - A Student's Guide Publisher: Addison Wesley