This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.
Postgraduate Handbook 2015-2016 (archived)
Module COMP51860: Thesis Proposal
Department: Computer Science
COMP51860: Thesis Proposal
| Type | Level | Credits | Availability | Module Cap | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tied | 5 | 60 | Not available in 2015/2016 | Durham |
Tied To
- G5A101: Philosophy with Integrated Studies in Computer Science (see Postgraduate Handbook 2011-2012 for details)
Pre-requisites
- Research Methods and Professional Issues (COMP50415).
Corequisites
- None.
Excluded Combinations
- None.
Aims
- For students to demonstrate advanced research skills in the identification and selection of research materials in their chosen field.
- For students to demonstrate their capability to analyze existing research outputs in a specific field and to identify a potential new direction in which they will develop their research.
- For students to demonstrate that they are able to talk informatively about their research topic and be able to defend their own research ideas.
Content
- Identification of core texts within a specific research field.
- Developing an understanding of what is expected of research students.
- Developing an appreciation of the skills needed to obtain a PhD.
- Research skills for locating, identifying and developing an in depth understanding of high quality research articles.
- How to write in a form suitable for research publication.
Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Knowledge
- To gain the broad and deep knowledge and principles of a set research topic.
Subject-specific Skills
- To demonstrate exemplary skills in identification and interpretation of research materials related to their field.
- To demonstrate their ability to write and present high quality and professional reviews of prior research within their chosen field.
Key Skills
- To be able to orally defend their research ideas to a set of experts within their field and demonstrate the ability to situate this within other research outputs in their chosen field.
Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module
- Students will work with their supervisory team to shape their research ideas and define an appropriate field and direction of study for their PhD.
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
| Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total Hours | Attendance Monitored |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tutorials | 25 | Fortnightly | 1 hour | 25 | |
| Preparation and Reading | 575 | ||||
| Total | 600 |
Summative Assessment
| Component | Component Weighting | Element | Length/Duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Literature Survey | 40% | Literature Survey | Maximum 60 pages | 100% | |
| Thesis Proposal | 30% | Thesis Proposal | Maximum 6 pages | 100% | |
| Oral Examination | 30% | Oral Examination | 1 hour | 100% |
Formative Assessment
The supervisory team will work with the student to help define their research field. The team will review at least one draft of the literature survey and thesis proposal.
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.