Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2011-2012 (archived)

Module COMP51760: Dissertation

Department: Computer Science

COMP51760: Dissertation

Type	Tied	Level	4	Credits	60	Availability	Available in 2011/12

Tied to	G5K209
Tied to	G5K109
Tied to	G5K309
Tied to	G5K409
Tied to	G5K509

Prerequisites

Research Methods and Professional Issues (COMP50415).

Corequisites

None

Excluded Combination of Modules

None

Aims

to allow students to conduct a substantial piece of academic, scientific or engineering work as an individual initiative and to write it up and present it in a scholarly fashion; thereby demonstrating analytical and reflective skills, and an ability in written communication;
to draw together knowledge, skills and techniques learnt throughout the programme.

Content

Research Skills
Project Management
Large Scale Development Methods
Technical Report Writing
Plagiarism and Referencing

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

to gain detailed knowledge of the project area;

Subject-specific Skills:

the ability to demonstrate the application of a well executed software engineering development process;
the ability to complete a substantial piece of research within the field of computer science;

Key Skills:

demonstrable analytical skill and an ability in oral and written communication;
demonstrable skills of planning and project management.

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

This is independent work where students demonstrate the breadth and depth of learning on the course through their application to a specialist topic.
Students are guided by occasional workshops and weekly individual tutorials supervised by members of staff engaged in research.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity	Number	Frequency	Duration	Total/Hours
Tutorials	10	weekly	30 mins	5	■
Self-study				595
Total				600

Summative Assessment

Component: Dissertation		Component Weighting: 100%
Element	Length / duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
Dissertation	not more than 20 pages	100%

Formative Assessment:

Students will be required to sit a formative bench test to demonstrate progress on their system. This will be given in the middle of the summer.

■ 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