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CVEN40600

Academic Year 2024/2025

Structural Research Project (CVEN40600)

Subject:
Civil Engineering
College:
Engineering & Architecture
School:
Civil Engineering
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
30
Module Coordinator:
Dr Abdollah Malekjafarian
Credit Split by Trimester:
Autumn 0
Spring 0
Summer 30
Trimester:
Year-long (12 months)
Mode of Delivery:
Blended
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This Research Project module is taken over the summer trimester of the academic year. It is a 30 credit module which will include the following components:

1. Project work
2. Preparation and submission of Preliminary & Final Project Reports.
3. Presentations and oral examination.

Students are required to demonstrate their ability in research, design of experiments (where an experiment is considered as any system or process designed to provide a solution to a problem), idea development and reporting. Each student undertakes a project individually. A list of project titles and supervisors will be made available at the beginning of Autumn. Students also have the option to propose their own projects.

During the course of this module students will develop the skills required to manage and organise a major project. They will appraise and assess existing theories and present the findings and conclusions of their work both verbally and in a formal report. The report will include a literature review on the current state of the art in the project area. Each project will usually have a strong central core; laboratory testing, numerical modeling, analysis of field data etc. Assessment of this module will be based on the project work undertaken, preliminary & final reports, project presentations and an oral examination and an oral presentation.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of the module students will have the ability to:
1. Understand research methods and specifically how these can be applied to lead to new insights.
2. Design an experiment, system or process to provide a solution to a specific problem.
3. Draw up and execute a research plan.
4. Extract and evaluate information relating to a new area of research.
5. Analyse, interpret and present results of research.
6. Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

710
Seminar (or Webinar)

10
Total

720

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
These is a research project offering multiple modes of learning:
- active/task-based learning: students will develop their project and work plans with an Advisor
- peer and group work: students will have peer critique of their presentations in workshops
- lectures on writing style, thesis structure, thesis content
- lab and/or studio work: will vary for students depending on project topic. May also include fieldwork
- ultimately they will learn how to present information in a well structured Masters thesis

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Research Plan Week 9 Autumn Graded No
2.5
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Literature review Week 7 Spring Graded No
7.5
 No
Exam (In-person): Project Oral Presentation Week 12 Summer Graded No
5
 No
Thesis/Dissertation: Final thesis report Week 12 Summer Graded No
85
 No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Remediation Type Remediation Timing
Repeat Within Two Trimesters
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Peer review activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Module will include summative and formative assessment: Summative assessment: 1. Students will submit a project plan (which will be assessed and revised and subsequently a programme of work agreed with project Advisor) 2. Students will submit a literature review (which will be assessed and feedback provided) 3. Students will deliver an oral presentation (which will be assessed and feedback provided) 4. Final written thesis & Viva - assessed by Advisor and 2nd Examiner Formative assessment 1. All students will have an Advisor assigned to them for their project. The advisor and student will meet regularly to discuss progress and findings - feedback and direction will be provided by the Advisor. It is the students' responsibility to engage with their Advisor 2. Students will submit a thesis plan / structure - feedback will be provided by the Advisor

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