Unit name | Communications CDT Individual Research Project |
---|---|
Unit code | EENGM0012 |
Credit points | 60 |
Level of study | M/7 |
Teaching block(s) |
Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52) |
Unit director | Professor. Piechocki |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
Satisfactory completion of the taught section of the course |
Co-requisites |
None |
School/department | Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering |
Faculty | Faculty of Engineering |
The aim of the Individual Research Project is to provide a critical and in-depth literature review for the PhD phase (years 2-4), and where appropriate some initial results. The report should present the state-of-the-art in your project field; comparing and contrasting results and methodology used in the referenced technical papers. It should also contain recommendations and a plan for the full PhD project stage. Each project is carried out under the supervision of at least one member of staff. Importance is given to the planning of the work programme, the setting and achievement of objectives, the presentation of the results of the work and a work plan for the PhD phase.
The precise content of a project will vary between individual students and supervisors. However, the work to be performed will, in general, not be repeating known work or techniques, other than for comparing and contrasting different methods. In this way the student will be encountering new challenges and is encouraged to seek and propose his or her own solutions to these challenges and hence demonstrate individual ability. The project may involve the design of a piece of software (in some cases hardware) if this is agreed with the supervisors and is useful for the critical review.
Project Phase
The project contains a research or investigative element which allows you to demonstrate individual talent and intellectual ability. It attempts to prepare you for the PhD research phase and as such contains elements of project planning. The project report also provides an opportunity for you to demonstrate report structuring and writing skills.
Teaching takes place over two Semesters. The remainder of the programme is then dedicated to full-time work on the research project.
During the second Semester you will commence the background reading phase of your research project.
The assessment of this material is via a poster presentation and project thesis
Project Phase Assessment
Taught Phase
Poster presentation: The poster will be marked by two assessors independently, each contributing 50% of the poster mark. They will first read through your poster and then ask you a number of questions relating to the work described. You will be given the opportunity to present any demonstrations you have prepared. The poster presentations normally take place during the annual CDT conference.
Final project thesis: The overall length of the project should be around 12,000 words. The font size must be 11pt; standard margins (2cm), single space lines. The report should have a list of references. The report should contain a project plan for the PhD phase; the first 12 months should be covered by a more detailed plan.The report will be marked by the supervisor(s) and an assessor. Supervisors contribute 50% (they agree on this mark) and the assessor 50% of the report mark.
There are 12 branch libraries covering different disciplines and members of the University may use any of them. However, the Queen’s Building Library has the most relevant collections for the Electrical & Electronic Engineering students.
There are many information resources available to Electrical & Electronic Engineers. Library Services provides access to the most important ones.