Accessibility statement

Individual Project - Mathematics & Computer Science - COM00079M

« Back to module search

  • Department: Computer Science
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Simon Foster
  • Credit value: 40 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 1 2024-25 to Semester 2 2024-25

Module aims

  • provide students with the practical skills that can only be gleaned from the experience of undertaking independent (supervised) research.
  • provide students with experience of writing a substantial academic report.

Module learning outcomes

On completion of the project, the student will have gained the practical skills that can only be gleaned from the experience of undertaking independent (supervised) research. The student will also have the experience of having written a substantial academic report.

Specifically, the student should be able to do the following.

  • Demonstrate that they have acquired specialisation in a particular part of Computer Science or Mathematics, including enhanced or new technical skills that build on taught theory. Examined in the overall project report.
  • Demonstrate that they have engaged in research and critical understanding of advanced scholarship in their chosen area. Examined in the project literature review and evaluation.
  • Contribute in an original way to an established area of research or development, demonstrating a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge. Examined in the overall project report. The project report must present some original (and relevant) contribution. It may present a new approach to a known problem, or an existing approach applied to a new class of problems. It may present a new analysis or critique of well-known work. It may devise a new method, or extend an existing method into new areas. The student should be able to clearly identify what is new and to evaluate the contribution made.
  • Formulate a moderate sized problem, to select and justify an appropriate approach, and to follow the approach systematically. Examined in the design/implementation chapters of the project.
  • Recognise alternatives, selecting and justifying the approach taken at each point in the report, identifying parts of the project area that are feasible within the time (etc) constraints of the project. Examined in the design/implementation chapters of the project.
  • Appreciate the latent issues of the subject area (for example, in software engineering they should have met and tackled issues such as emergent requirements, design flaws, equipment/application problems). Examined in the project design/implementation and evaluation chapters.
  • Prepare a written report on the work done, according to the defined criteria, and of a standard that would be acceptable for wider publication. In particular, the student should be able to prepare a report the structure and presentation of which is uncontentious, and in which the referencing is of publishable academic standard. The report must demonstrate critical abilities and evaluation of work done and methods applied. Examined in the overall project report.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of legal, ethical, social, professional and commercial issues involved in the project.

These outcomes are based on FHEQ "M" level requirements, 2003.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
University - project
Project Report		 N/A 100

Special assessment rules

Non-compensatable

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
University - project
Project Report		 N/A 100

Module feedback

Feedback on written report draft (where draft provided to supervisor in a timely manner).
Written feedback after written project report.

Indicative reading

*** Dawson, C. W Projects in Computing and Information Systems. Addison-Wesley 2005
*** Gowers, E. The complete plain words. Penguin 1987
*** Kopka, H and Daly, P.W. A guide to LATEX : document preparation for beginners and advanced users, 3rd edn. Addison-Wesley 1999
*** Zobel, J. Writing for computer science, 2nd edn. Springer 2004


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.