COM3610 Dissertation Project
| Summary |
In the individual research project, you will complete a major original piece of software design, or an experimental investigation. This work will be reported formally in a research dissertation and also presented at a project presentation session, to which industrial representatives, students and academics are invited. The work will include an Interim report that consists of an initial survey and literature review. You will be engaged in a major piece of software development, or the design and execution of an empirical experiment. You will have regular meetings with your supervisor, who will advise on any problems you encounter. You will prepare an 7,000-14,000 word dissertation, which includes the material from the interim report, but also contains a complete design, implementation and evaluation of the results of your project. This may be assessed by oral examination. |
| Session |
Academic Year 2023/24 |
| Credits |
40 |
| Assessment |
Please note that it is expected that the underlying work for the project will be split evenly between the semesters. In particular, work is expected to continue at the end of the Autumn semester, after the interim report is submitted.
The main assessment of the module is by a dissertation that is produced towards the end of the second semester, complemented by a project presentation session where the work done is to be demonstrated and questions answered. If considered appropriate by the examiners, an oral examination may be held on this dissertation and project presentation. |
| Lecturer(s) |
Project Supervisors |
| Resources |
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| Aims |
This aims of this module are to:
- integrate further the material learned throughout the degree course, by applying it to a substantial open-ended problem;
- give the student the opportunity of bringing an individual piece of work, in a topic area of their own choosing, to completion;
- promote design and problem-solving skills, especially the ability to translate a theoretical approach into practice, overcoming any unexpected obstacles;
- promote academic presentation skills, especially those of technical report writing, visual and oral presentation and question handling;
- give the student the further opportunity to demonstrate and improve their personal skills, particularly those of time and work management.
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| Learning Outcomes |
By the end of the module the student will be able to:
- Draw upon practical and analytical skills that have been developed in their programme to increase their understanding of practical, experimental, and/or theoretical approaches to tackling the research problem under investigation.
- Demonstrate an ability to plan and execute a substantial programme of technical work.
- Explain how their project fits within the wider research area and/or satisfies a real need in a wider context.
- Synthesize and evaluate information, ideas, and practices to provide a quality solution together with an evaluation of that solution.
- Communicate plans and achievements clearly and concisely both in a presentation and in written form.
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of legal, ethical, social, professional, and commercial issues involved in the project.
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| Content |
The content of the project is typically selected by the student from a range of topics proposed by staff or industrial partners of the department. Students are also encouraged to propose their own topic, provided they can find a supervisor willing to supervise it and with the agreement of the Projects Officer.
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| Teaching Method |
The student will have a personal supervisor and is expected to meet him/her regularly in order to discuss their progress and obtain advice on it. The rest of the work they are expected to plan and carry out independently. |
| Restrictions |
Only available to students within the Department of Computer Science. |
| Feedback |
Students will receive formative feedback on their interim report in a meeting with their supervisor, as well as during their regular meetings. |
IP Exemption
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This module is exempt from the University's Regulations relating to Intellectual Property which can be found at: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/apse/apo/quality/policies-guidance/ip |
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