The University of Sheffield
Department of Computer Science

COM6912 Data Analytics Dissertation Project

Summary For their individual project, students can choose from a wide range of possibilities in many different environments both within and outside the University. The project is completed during the summer, and each student will have a personal academic supervisor to guide them during this period. The individual project is examined by a dissertation based on the project work and an oral examination.
Session Grad Year 2023/24
Credits 60
Assessment Assessment of the module is by a dissertation that is produced towards the end of the summer, complemented by a 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.
Lecturer(s) A project supervisor will be allocated during week 11 of the Autumn semester.
Resources Unconfirmed practical marks when available
Aims
  • to integrate the material learnt throughout the MSc course, by applying it to a substantial open-ended problem;
  • to give the student the opportunity of undertaking an individual piece of work in an area of their own choice;
  • to give the student the opportunity to demonstrate and improve their technical abilities in the areas relevant to the project; and
  • to give the student the opportunity to demonstrate and improve their personal skills, particularly those of time and work management, report writing and general presentation.
Learning Outcomes  By the end of this course the students should:
  • have demonstrated that they can research the background to an open-ended problem;
  • have demonstrated that they can plan and manage the process of producing a solution to that problem;
  • have demonstrated that they can carry out the major part of that solution process; and
  • have demonstrated that they can document the work that they have done, review it critically, and present it to others.
Content The content of the project is typically selected by the student from a range of topics proposed by the 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.
Teaching Method The student is expected to meet regularly with the supervisor for 30-60 mins, in order to discuss progress with the work and obtain advice on it. The rest of the work they are expected to plan and carry out independently.
Restrictions Restricted to students studying for MSc Data Analytics.
Feedback Regular meetings with their supervisor.
IP Exemption 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