Module COMP54060: Advanced Computer Science Project

Department: Computer Science

COMP54060: Advanced Computer Science Project

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• To allow students to conduct via individual initiative a substantial piece of research into an unfamiliar area of Advanced Computer Science, or in their subject specialisation area, or in a related area brought forward by industry partners.
• To allow students to propose, develop and critically evaluate their work.
• To allow students to evaluate and select the most appropriate research methods and skills relevant for conducting their project.
• To provide an opportunity for students to demonstrate originality in their application of knowledge they have gained through their degree, along with the ability to identify appropriate gaps in their knowledge and conduct independent learning to address these gaps.
• To critically analyse background literature within their chosen domain in order to set their work in context.
• To enhance students' skills in writing up and presenting work in a scholarly fashion.

Content

• Students are expected to choose a project from a list offered by potential supervisors (from Computer Science or from an industry partner in collaboration with an academic member of staff).
• Projects are inevitably and deliberately very varied in the topics they address and in the type of approach required; the common factor is that they are research-led.
• For example, they may be practically or theoretically based. Many projects will consist of a combination of these.
• All projects are open-ended and contain considerably more work than can be achieved in the available time. Students therefore need to evaluate the problem domain and propose the elements of the greater problem they will address.
• One of the main outcomes of the project is a significant academic-quality report.
• Successful completion requires good organisation, communication skills and management.
• Management is the responsibility of the student, in regular consultation with the supervisor.

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of this module, students should be able to demonstrate:
• a detailed knowledge and understanding of one or more areas of Computer Science leading to research results.
• mastery of the skills learnt in a selection of core modules, including “Research Methods and Ethics in Computer Science”.
• a deep understanding of the state of the art in the student’s chosen area of specialisation demonstrated through critical analysis of relevant literature identified by the student.
• an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the student's chosen area of specialisation.
• appreciable skills of research methods required in conducting a successful research-based project.

• By the end of this module, students should be able to:
• propose and carry out comprehensive research appropriate to a project.
• demonstrate effective project planning, including the ability to evaluate their own project planning skills.
• assimilate, critically evaluate, and analyse information.
• identify appropriate related research material along with the skills to critique this work in the context of their own project.
• formulate effective solutions to a problem, making effective use of time and resources available.
• create solutions to their problem.
• manage personal learning.
• reflect and critique their own work against their own aims and objectives.
• critically evaluate their own learning, progress and quality of solution objectively.
• prepare and deliver technical writing at a high level of quality.
• present properly referenced documents, with citations, references and bibliographies.
• exercise critical self-evaluation.
• present and interpret results effectively and relate these to the aims and objectives of their work.

• Effective written communication of general and specialised Computer Science concepts.
• Planning, organising and time management.
• Advanced problem solving and analysis skills.
• Using initiative.
• Effective use of IT resources.
• Skills of self-organisation and motivation in managing time and activities in working to a deadline.

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

• Students will have regular progress meetings with their appointed supervisor, up to 10. These meetings enable the supervisor to monitor the student progress towards the achievement of the learning outcomes and to give formative feedback on the suitability of the implementation and progress.
• The students will demonstrate their achievements in the oral examination, which will take place at the end of the supervised period.
• Students will receive formative feedback on a draft of one chapter of the project.
• The research conducted and the implementation developed will be written up in the form of the scientific report.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Feedback on progress is given during meetings with supervisor. This includes review of a draft of the written work.

■ 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