| Unit name | Individual Project with Presentation |
|---|---|
| Unit code | COMSM0142 |
| Credit points | 40 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Wray |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
Successful completion of Years 1, 2 and 3 of the Mathematics and Computer Science Undergraduate degree. |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
MATHM2204 Project |
| School/department | School of Computer Science |
| Faculty | Faculty of Engineering |
Why is this unit important?
The final year project acts as a focus for the accumulated skills resulting from all other units: the overarching goal is application of those skills to a specific, significant challenge or problem. The unit offers a high degree of freedom with respect to project topic, and allows students to spend a significant amount of time and effort on something they are specifically interested in. Ideally this might act as a bridge to a career in such a topic, but will also satisfy more general, transferable learning outcomes.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
All final-year Mathematics and Computer Science MEng students must take a significant project unit in their final year, extending outward from what is taught in the main degree programme into mastery of a specific subject area.
You should take this unit if you want your project to be focused on Computer Science, or on both Mathematics and Computer Science.
An overview of content
Students will first decide on a project of significant scale and interest, carry out some initial ethics training, and find a supervisor. Students will then carry out their project idea supported by regular meetings with their supervisor, culminating in a dissertation. They will also complete a presentation that contextualises their project for a relevant audience.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
Students will gain experience of carrying out a major project to solve a significant challenge, improving their planning, time management, presentation skills and self-confidence as well as giving them substantial background knowledge in their chosen area.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit students will be able to:
1.Demonstrate understanding of research-level material.
2.Identify a well-motivated, scientifically interesting challenge.
3.Engage in a suitable approach to solving said challenge (e.g., developing a proof, analysing an algorithm, implementing a system).
4.Critically evaluate their solution in a suitable manner.
5.Present their results in written and verbal form.
6.Manage their own time, and decide their own objectives.
7.Identify any ethical issues that arise in their work, data collection or processing in order to seek expert guidance.
Optional workshops and tutorials with the project supervisor. Compulsory training on identifying ethical issues associated to the project work will be organised by the unit director.
The presentation will be supported by optional workshops organised by the unit director, with an opportunity for formative feedback.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
As well as the assessments below, students will also have a separate, optional, opportunity before submission to present their project to an audience including their second marker, in order to get feedback.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Written thesis (90%) and oral presentation (10%). The thesis mark will be informed by a viva with a second marker. In addition to achieving a pass overall, students must complete the ‘must-do’ ethics training in order to be awarded credit points for the unit. This training takes the form of an online introduction and test (e.g. via Blackboard) with immediate feedback and unlimited answer adjustments until sufficient proficiency is demonstrated.
When assessment does not go to plan
Students will rewrite and resubmit their original thesis based on the original feedback, and (if applicable) redo the oral presentation.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. COMSM0142).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
