Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2007-2008 (archived)

Module ENGI41060: Research and Development Project

Department: Engineering

ENGI41060: Research and Development Project

Type	Tied	Level	4	Credits	60	Availability	Available in 2007/08

Tied to	H1K709

Prerequisites

Communicational Fundamentals

Corequisites

Radio and Design Communications (ENGI41915); Communications Networks (ENGI42015); Engineering Design (ENGI41030)

Excluded Combination of Modules

None

Aims

The Research and Development Project provides an open-ended challenge to each individual student, over the last four months of the course. This is after the course examinations, and the students will work full-time on the project.
All the projects offered will include:
In-depth study of some aspects of communications;
Literature searches and market surveys;
Design of a programme of experimental or development work;
Implementation of the program and analysis of the results;
Production of a detailed report;
An opportunity to apply the theory and knowledge gained in the lecture courses to a real world scale problem.

Content

A research and development project approved by the course director relevant to the field of communication. The supervisor of each project will arrange any specific additional tuition the student needs to carry out the project.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

To appraise and analyse data critically using appropriate mathematical and IT skills.
To be able to apply best practice research methods.
To produce an effective report which clearly presents and describes the investigations, results and conclusions. Communication skills will be assessed through the written report and an oral examination. In addition, a poster presentation is required.
To plan and implement a project work schedule.
To utilise knowledge and skills acquired from the formal teaching process.
To show imagination and problem solving skills in formulating lines of investigation.
To show technical awareness and mature judgement in producing data. This may require design skills applied to laboratory or simulation work.

Subject-specific Skills:

Key Skills:

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

A project supervised by a member of staff is the appropriate format for such research and development projects.
Regular meetings with supervisor to discuss project progress, planning, research methods and technical issues ensures that an appropriate level of guidance is provided.
A rigorous examination procedure which takes into account the student initiative and effort, together with a written report, oral examination performance and overall understanding, provide a rounded assessment of the work.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity	Number	Frequency	Duration	Total/Hours
Tutorials	13	1 per week	2 hour	26
Practicals	39	3 per week	8 hours	312
Preparation and Reading				262
Total				600

Summative Assessment

Component: Project Assessment		Component Weighting: 100%
Element	Length / duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
Project Assessment, this will be carried out using the standard school criteria for marking projects. The report will be read by a member of staff other than the supervisor, who will then take part in an oral examination of the student with the supervisor. They will jointly then agree the mark and write a joint report on the examination.		100%

Formative Assessment:

Feedback will be given to the student on a weekly basis by the supervisor.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University