Newcastle University

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

A1: This module aims to enable students to apply what they have learnt to study more profound and broader in the subject area of marine and offshore technology. The project and report is an independent research study in the form of a critical review, a computational study, an experimental investigation, simulation, modelling, a significant case study involving industry and academic supervision to widen students’ learning outcome.
A2: To present an opportunity to undertake advanced research on an appropriate marine and offshore related topic working mostly alone, and to perform in a structured form the results of that research.
A3: To acquire systematic understanding of knowledge in a specialised topic, possibly outside the scope of the taught modules.
A4: The individual assignment will lead to analysis, design and development of a piece of work, which may involve multi-disciplinary skills.

Outline Of Syllabus

OS1: The salient features will be academic writing, strategies and techniques to avoid plagiarism, writing a dissertation
OS2: The module will have a report not exceeding 75 pages, which will be followed by a project brief and literature review report.
OS3: The module consists of the definition of problem and area of study, familiarisation with tools and methodology, project study, final dissertation, etc.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

On completion of the module, students will have an understanding of:

IKO1: Specialised knowledge in the topic of the dissertation
IKO2: Formulating planning and organisational strategies, to review and summarise articles, papers, reports, etc.
IKO3: Criticise different techniques and strategies and identify relevant and irrelevant materials related to the studies
IKO4: Know various types of technologies and methodologies for filling the research gap and developing realistic solutions
IKO5: Analyse and know-how to apply different kinds of techniques and methodologies
IKO6: Knowledge and skills in analysing results and discussion

Intended Skill Outcomes

On completion of the module, students will have an understanding of:

ISO1: Students will be able to identify issues for research and to retrieve accurate and relevant
information both in paper and digital formats
ISO2: Students will be able to carry out analysis and synthesis of topics or large experimental or full
scale data sets in a marine-related subject
ISO3: Students will be able to structure analysis and technical arguments
ISO4: Students will develop the ability to express the results of their research with clear and concise arguments
ISO5: Students will be able to identify and order issues by relevance and importance
ISO6: Students will be able to synthesise materials from diverse sources
ISO7: Students will be able to develop critical judgement skills
ISO8: Students will be able to make a reasoned choice between competing solutions or arguments

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The project requires the student not only to adapt the factual, conceptual and procedural knowledge needed from a wide range of modules to a specific problem but also to enhance their experience by undertaking a project in which he/she is wholly responsible.
The project briefings provide students with the acquisition of the fundamental research skills and the project
framework in terms of timetable, milestones and arrangement for supervision (IKO1-IKO6).
The project provides an opportunity to be able to formulate, undertake and report on a substantial independently
design of research project (ISO1-ISO8).
The student is appointed a member of staff as a supervisor for their intended project who will help establish the
scope and focus of the project. The student may also choose his supervisor and a co-supervisor. The supervisor then needs to sign the initial project brief.
The supervisor is also responsible for helping the student with all matters relating to the project and is the primary
point of contact for all technical and project management issues
Students are responsible for maintaining regular contact with their supervisor and for maintaining a written record of their meetings that is subsequently appended to the final report.
Extensions to the deadline are only granted in exceptional circumstances, and students have to submit a PEC form
for consideration to requesting an extension.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The dissertation is intended to provide the students with an opportunity to carry out a substantial and largely
independent piece of research work. The written dissertation is an appropriate way to assess both the depth of theoretical knowledge and understanding and the students' problem-solving skills. It will also evaluate data and information acquisition and evaluation skills.
The examiners assess the ability of a student to produce a written research report which demonstrates the intended learning outcomes described in IKO1-IKO6 and ISO1-ISO8. The project demonstration allows the students to demonstrate their knowledge and improved transferable skills.
The dissertation will generally be of a length not exceeding 75 pages of A4.
The Graduate Skills Framework Skills indicated as 'A' is also assessed in this way.

General Notes

N/A