Course unit details:
MEng Dissertation

Course unit fact file
Unit code CHEN40132
Credit rating 40
Unit level Level 4
Teaching period(s) Semester 2
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

The dissertation involves an extensive research study, commencing with a research report (Semester 1) followed by a poster presentation (Part 2) and a final formal report (the dissertation, Part 3) 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.

 

For this 40 credit unit, a student must describe the project in the form of full dissertation report, with a maximum of 40 pages in length (excluding appendices and list of contents). This will be assessed by the supervisor and a second marker. The final mark will be an average of the two marks, if the difference between them is less than 5%. Otherwise the two markers will agree the final mark between them.

 

This report must contain an abstract, an introduction to the project which motivates the research, a brief critical literature survey, a description of the practical work, a critical analysis of the results and their relationship to previous work and a suitable conclusion and suggestions for future work. More guidance is given elsewhere. Note that there should be no duplication of the Semester 1 report.

 

Aims

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

On successful completion of CHEN40132, a student will be able to… (1) Undertake and report on a substantial piece of project work. (2) Formulate objectives for the work, logically relating these to previous work and its context. (3) Analyse a scientific or technological problem and develop or select and apply appropriate methods to investigate the problem. (4) Produce, report and analyse results, and draw appropriate conclusions. (5) Discuss the significance of the work and its outcomes in the context of previous work. (6) Describe the methods and procedures by which the objectives of the problem were addressed. (7) Summarise a complex piece of work and its subcomponents.

 

Teaching and learning methods

A combination of specialised lectures (e.g. on library skills), regular meetings arranged with the supervisor, self-directed learning and hands-on practical experience.

 

Assessment methods

Method Weight
Dissertation 100%

Feedback methods

Feedback provided by dissertation supervisor throughout the process.

Recommended reading

As given by the project supervisor to help direct the research.

 

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Tutorials 15
Independent study hours
Independent study 385

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Lev Sarkisov Unit coordinator

Fees and funding

Fees

Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2027 will be £10,050 per annum. Tuition fees for international students will be £39,700 per annum.

For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.

Policy on additional costs

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).

Scholarships/sponsorships

At The University of Manchester we're committed to attracting and supporting the very best students. We have a focus on nurturing talent and ability and we want to make sure that you have the opportunity to study here, regardless of your financial circumstances.

For information about scholarships and bursaries please see our undergraduate fees pages and check the Department's funding pages .

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