Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2015-2016 (archived)

Module ENGI40190: Research and Development Project

Department: Engineering

ENGI40190: Research and Development Project

Type	Tied	Level	4	Credits	90	Availability	Available in 2015/16

Tied to	H1K709

Prerequisites

None.

Corequisites

None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

None.

Aims

The research and development project provide an open-ended challenge to each individual student. In collaboration with a staff supervisor, the student is required to identify and initiate methods to investigate the topic, to generate data, to analyse this data, to formulate recommendations and findings, and to present the work in a report.
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.
Poster Presentation to allow an assessment of the student's understanding of their work, and their oral and written communication skills.
Oral examination to allow detailed questions to be put to the student regarding the technical aspects of their work and also to assess oral communication skills.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity	Number	Frequency	Duration	Total/Hours
Tutorials	25	1 per week	1 hour	25
Practicals	500		500	500
Preparation and Reading				375
Total				900

Summative Assessment

Component: Report and Oral Examination		Component Weighting: 100%
Element	Length / duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
Project and Report completed by beginning of August, Oral Examination held in September	60 pages/18000 words	100%

Formative Assessment:

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

Formative Assessment:

Poster Display, Research Methods (literature survey, project plan,), Risk and COSHH assessment forms.

■ 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