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This is the final year dissertation project which many degree courses have, in which the student tackles a significant problem
This module is designed to provide an opportunity for the expression of individual energy and ability in completing a significant item of work related to the aims and objectives of the programme. Topics for projects may be suggested by students themselves and perhaps may derive from industrial placement experience or their employment (for part-time students). However, academic staff will suggest suitable topics for selection by students.
The student will be provided with a supervisor for their project. This person will provide guidance during the project period on the progress of the work, the direction of the study and the quality of work carried out.
At the end of the project the student will submit several pieces of work which contribute to assessment of the unit. During the first half of the first semester students will produce a Terms of Reference document. At the end of semester one a draft report will be submitted that describes the analytical aspects of the project. On completion the student will submit a project report which describes the analysis of a problem, synthesis of it's solution and an evaluation of both the technical work and the process of the project. In addition all supporting technical documentation will also be made available for assessment. Each student will be expected to give a short presentation and demonstration of their product and will be subject to a viva voce.
Students are expected to work on the Terms of Reference during the first 6 weeks of the semester. During that period they may seek advice and support from their supervisor. However, in order to ensure equality of support they may only submit two drafts of the document for comment. The first submission will be at the end of week 5. The supervisor will review and return it by the end of the week. The student will be expected to make any necessary changes and resubmit at the end of week 6. After week 6 the student will meet with the supervisor and second marker to review the work. Following this meeting the student may make any final changes to the document. It should be noted that neither the supervisor nor the second marker will be marking the draft submissions. They will only be providing advice on how to improve the document. The Terms of Reference will be submitted, for marking, on the Friday of week 6.
During the remainder of the semester the student should work on the draft report. This report will cover the background to the project, include a literature review, and identify the approach and tools to be used to carry out the project work. During this period the supervisor will review the student’s work and provide advice on how the work can be improved. This report will be submitted on the Friday of the Intersemester Reading Week.
The practical work for the project will be carried out during semester 2. During this period the student is expected to produce both the project product and the overall report. Both the report and the product documentation, etc. will be submitted on the last Friday in May.
At an appropriate time during the last three weeks of the semester the student will meet with the supervisor and second marker for a viva voce and demonstration. This will typically be a 40 minute session. In the first 20 minutes the student will give a short presentation describing the main results of the project and will demonstrate the work. In the remaining time the supervisor and second marker will interrogate the student on the report and the demonstration.
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