Master’s Project
MODULE CODE
CREDIT VALUE
Module Aims
Aim 1
To develop the ability to solve complex problems, using appropriate skills and knowledge acquired elsewhere.
Aim 2
To develop student’s ability to critically reflect on their work and on the work of others.
Aim 3
To enable students to demonstrate disciplines of time management, project planning and reporting on progress.
Aim 4
To encourage students to read to discover best practice.
Aim 5
To develop the ability to apply theory in the real world.
Aim 6
To foster an attitude of constructive criticism in evaluation.
Aim 7
To use theory appropriately when communicating about project work
Module Content
Working under supervision
Applying theory to practical problems or a research problem
Demonstrate awareness of appropriate legal, ethical, and professional issues associated with the subject domain.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module, a student will be able to:
Teaching Methods
Each student will select his/her own topic for the project, within the constraints imposed by their particular Masters programme. Relevant literature and other sources must be used throughout the project, with thorough use of sources relating to the project question.
The MSc Project Tutor is responsible for the overall co-ordination of projects. Each student is allocated an academic supervisor, who acts in a consultancy role, providing advice and guidance. A second reader is nominated to attend the poster session and read the final project report.
The project handbook contains a schedule, advice on how to complete tasks, and a specification of what exactly is required for each deliverable.
Projects with Industry partners
Students will have the opportunity to work on their thesis projects with an industry partner through a student placement subject to availability of appropriate projects. Each student will select a topic provided by an external organization and approved by the academic supervisor , within the constraints imposed by their particular Master’s programme. If required by the project, each student may be allocated an advisor from the external organization, who may provide advice and guidance. Students will complete part of their thesis project assessment requirements (e.g. related to the working documents (proposal, contract, project plan and diary) and requirement analysis) through their placement under the supervision of the academic supervisor in collaboration with the advisor from the industry.
Distance learning
The MSc Project Tutor will deliver live online lectures through Adobe Connect to prepare students to undertake the Masters Project. The lecture sessions will be recorded and made available to the students through Blackboard. Students will be guided to ask questions synchronously (during the live lecture) or asynchronously through the blackboard’s discussion forum. The tutor will provide appropriate feedback to students. Students will also be provided with relevant further reading, web links and resources for independent study.
Supervision of students will be performed online through email, Skype and/or MS Teams.. The students will present their work and poster through MS Teams.
Assessment
The student produces a project report/thesis appropriate to their chosen route that describes:
• Methods, tools and techniques used,
• Evidence, arguments and conclusions about the project question,
• Critical evaluation of methods and product.
Three types of evidence are assessed:
• Working documents: proposal, contract, project plan and diary. (learning outcomes 1, 3)
• Interview: demonstrating the product or outcomes and answering to an informal viva. (learning outcomes 1, 2, 4, 6)
• Final written thesis. (learning outcomes 1- 7)
A more formal viva is required after the report has been assessed to allow moderation.
Assessment Methods
This module is assessed through one Proposal and one Thesis.