CVEN40750 Engineering Research Project

Academic Year 2022/2023

This Research Project module is a year-long module at Masters level. It includes several components:

1. Project work
2. Instruction and assignments in “Technical Report Writing”.
3. Preparation and submission of Preliminary & Final Project Reports.
4. 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 is made available at the beginning of the year. 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 (a) technical report writing exercises and the preliminary report and (b) an oral examination and an oral presentation as well as the final report. In the case of Part (b) of the assessment the elements will not be graded separately and one combined mark will be given for all elements.

Show/hide contentOpenClose All

Curricular information is subject to change

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
Seminar (or Webinar)

15
Specified Learning Activities

590
Total

605
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This 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 Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Project: Final report at the end of Spring Trimester Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Graded No

80
Presentation: Presentation of final project at the end of trimester examination (viva). Week 12 n/a Graded No

5
Assignment: Literature review due at the end of Autumn Trimester. Week 12 n/a Graded No

10
Assignment: Research plan in Autumn Trimester. Week 6 n/a Graded No

5

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
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 includes summative and formative assessments. Summative assessment: 1. Students submit a project plan - it is assessed and following feedback is revised and subsequently a programme of work agreed with project Advisor (mark ex 5) 2. Students submit a literature review - it is assessed (mark ex 10) and feedback is provided. Revised literature review to be included eventually in Final Report. 3. Project presentation (mark ex 5) 4. Final Report & Viva - assessed by Advisor and 2nd Examiner. Letter grade assigned and agreed by both the Advisor and 2nd Examiner. A final grade meeting for the module takes place where all Advisors and 2nd Examiners discuss the projects and decide on the final grades. 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 and literature review - feedback will be provided by the Advisor