- UCAS course code
- H801
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Course unit details:
Dissertation: Semester 1 Report & Individual Performance
| Unit code | CHEN40100 |
|---|---|
| Credit rating | 10 |
| Unit level | Level 4 |
| Teaching period(s) | Full year |
| Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
The project involves an extensive research study, commencing with a Semester 1 report and concluding with a poster presentation and a final formal report (the dissertation) on the work undertaken. Students choose a research topic from a selection of laboratory-based and computational projects offered by different academic supervisors, and often work closely with a postgraduate or postdoctoral researcher or industry.
At the end of Semester 1, the student will submit a research report. This will include a critical literature survey to give the context and motivation for the proposed project and its specific objectives. Depending on project, it may contain preliminary research results. It will outline the approach that would be taken to achieve those objectives, the required timescales and resource requirements, and the benefits that would result if the project were undertaken. The report will be subject to a strict length limitation of 15 pages, requiring a conciseness of style resulting from a maturity of understanding of the subject. This report will count for 5 credits.
After the project is finished, the supervisor will assess the student’s performance. The quantity and quality of the work and the student’s determination, originality, independence and good time-keeping will all be taken into account. This evaluation will account for the remaining 5 credits.
The overall unit is thus 10 credits.
Aims
Develop students’ skills in the preparation of a research report.
Encourage students to engage deeply with the literature relevant to the subject of their research project.
Develop students’ understanding of the methods of research through the execution and reporting of an appropriate research project in a chosen subject area.
Learning outcomes
| Knowledge and understanding |
|
| Intellectual skills |
|
| Practical skills |
|
| Transferable skills and personal qualities |
|
Teaching and learning methods
A combination of lectures (e.g. on library skills), meetings with the supervisor, self-directed learning and hands-on practical experience.
Knowledge and understanding
- Provide a critical literature survey, a motivation for the project, a clear set of objectives, a plan, with timescales, for achieving these objectives and an account of the resources required. This is connected with the semester 1 report.
- Be rewarded for hard, high quality work, dedication, independence, originality and good time-keeping. This is connected with the supervisor’s evaluation.
Intellectual skills
- Formulate objectives that lead logically from an evaluation of the relevant literature and analysis of the problem
- Select or propose appropriate methodologies and formulate these into a workplan to address the objectives
- Evaluate the timescale and resource requirements to deliver the workplan (suitable to address identified objectives, and budget the time and resource requirements to execute the workplan).
- Identify the benefits and beneficiaries of a proposed project.
- Undertake a literature review as a basis for identifying potential research areas, presenting the justification for the proposed research, and formulating objectives arising as a logical consequence of the literature review.
Practical skills
- Carry out a literature search using library and IT facilities.
- Consider safety aspects of the proposed programme of work
Transferable skills and personal qualities
Write a concise, structured report in an acceptable engineering format.
Assessment methods
|
Assessment task |
Length |
Weighting within unit (if relevant) |
|
Project proposal Supervisor Evaluation of performance |
15 pages |
50% 50% |
Feedback methods
Feedback within 15 working days from submission
Recommended reading
RECOMMENDED TEXT
As given by the research proposal and dissertation supervisor.
Study hours
| Scheduled activity hours | |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 2 |
| Tutorials | 8 |
| Independent study hours | |
|---|---|
| Independent study | 90 |
Teaching staff
| Staff member | Role |
|---|---|
| Carlo Santoro | Unit coordinator |
Additional notes
This course unit detail provides the framework for delivery in 20/21 and may be subject to change due to any additional Covid-19 impact. Please see Blackboard / course unit related emails for any further updates.