Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2007-2008 (archived)

Module ENGI41090: Masters Research Project

Department: Engineering

ENGI41090: Masters Research Project

Type Open Level 4 Credits 90 Availability Available in 2007/08 Module Cap
Tied to

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • To allow students to undertake an individual, research-based project within an industrial context. The project will allow students to deal with a technical topic of depth and challenge.

Content

  • The exact content of the project will be decided in consultation with the academic supervisor, company representative and the student. The project will take into consideration the topics studied by the student during the first half of the MSc.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
Subject-specific Skills:
  • To plan and manage an investigation of an industrial process or product design.
  • To apply knowledge and skills acquired from appropriate lectures.
  • To show appreciation of appropriate methodologies in a factor of design office environment.
  • To appraise data and to recommend solutions to the task.
  • To transmit findings to the company via oral and written presentations.
Key Skills:

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

  • The student will undertake the project with academic and industrial support. The project will consist of a number of generic phases:
  • Precursor: The first task is to identify a problem in the sponsoring company that is of importance to the company and is suitable for the purposes of an MSc project. The academic tutor and the company representative will work with the student to generate a suitable project brief.
  • Analysis: The student will work with the academic supervisor and the company to analyse and understand the problem.
  • Project Plan: The student will work within the company to generate a detailed project plan identifying timescales and resources required.
  • Investigation: There are a number of forms the main investigation can take, but basically it will consist of design of experiments, data collection, analysis of results, conclusions and recommendations.
  • Write-up: It will be necessary for the student to write and defend a report that satisfies both the industrial requirement for a solution to a problem and the academic requirement of understanding both the technology and the process.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Tutorials 30 10x 2 hours 10x 1 hour 30
Fieldwork 15 weeks 660 hours 660
Preparation and Reading 210
Total 900

Summative Assessment

Component: Oral presentation Component Weighting: 10%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Oral presentation 30 minutes 100%
Component: Oral examination Component Weighting: 10%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Oral examination 45 minutes 100%
Component: Report (Dissertation) Component Weighting: 80%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Report (Dissertation) 12,000-15,000 words 100%

Formative Assessment:

In the first stage of the project, the academic tutor and the company representative will work with the student to generate a suitable brief. This will serve as the basis for providing detailed feedback on the student's proposal. Towards the end of the project period, the student will also provide an outline summary of their report.


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