This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.
Postgraduate Handbook 2007-2008 (archived)
Module COMP50415: RESEARCH METHODS AND PROFESSIONAL ISSUES
Department: Computer Science
COMP50415: RESEARCH METHODS AND PROFESSIONAL ISSUES
| Type | Level | Credits | Availability | Module Cap | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 4 | 15 | Available in 2007/2008 | Durham |
Pre-requisites
- Postgraduate modules to the value of 60 credits selected from those offered by the Department of Computer Science including EITHER Advanced Java Systems with UML-Based Design (COMP50915) OR Object Oriented Programming in Java and UML (COMP51815).
Corequisites
- None.
Excluded Combinations
- None.
Aims
- This module is to enable the student to tackle the main design project, equipped with the appropriate skills and technical knowledge. To do this, the student must be familiar with the background of the project, and must also be confident in using the software tools for the project. Further, the student must approach the writing up in a professional manner.
Content
- Intensive background research, literature survey and on-line search to understand in depth the subject of the dissertation
- Experimenting with appropriate software tools and environments
- How to plan, manage and write up the dissertation
- How to establish criteria for success by which the project can be evaluated
- Professional issues concerned with the project
- Determining the requirements of the project, and the appropriate evaluation approach
Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Knowledge
- Specialist knowledge: personal research, software analysis, use of software tools
- Management: planning project
- Engineering of software systems: requirements analysis and documentation
- Professional skills: draft dissertation chapters and documentation of software tools experiments; use of planning tools
Subject-specific Skills
Key Skills
Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module
- The module comprises 1 week's intensive directed reading and laboratory exercises; 5 days of lectures, tutorials, and reading, and two weeks undertaking a major laboratory assignment. The overall workload conforms to the standard SLAT requirement of 150 hours equivalent to 15 credits. The assignment report will consist of (i) a write up on the software tools experiments, and (ii) background material on the project forming the first two chapters of the dissertation.
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
| Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total Hours | Attendance Monitored |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 10 | 2 per day in week 2 | 1 hour | 10 | |
| Tutorials | 4 | weekly | 1 hour | 4 | |
| Practicals | 5 | daily in week 1 | 6 hours | 30 | |
| Laboratory | 10 | daily in weeks 3 and 4 | 6 hous | 60 | |
| Preparation and Reading | 46 | ||||
| Total | 150 |
Summative Assessment
| Component | Component Weighting | Element | Length/Duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laboratory report | 100% | Laboratory report | 100% |
Formative Assessment
Written drafts of chapters and feedback on software tool experiments with written feedback.
Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods
and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative
assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress
procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be
required to leave the University.