Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2013-2014 (archived)

Module COMP51760: Dissertation

Department: Computer Science

COMP51760: Dissertation

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 60 Availability Available in 2013/14 Module Cap
Tied to G5K209
Tied to G5K109
Tied to G5K309
Tied to G5K409
Tied to G5K509

Prerequisites

  • None.

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 Attendance Monitored
Tutorials 10 weekly 30 mins 5 Yes
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.


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.