CSC8499 : Project and Dissertation for MSc in Advanced Computer Science
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr Jason Steggles
- Owning School: Computing
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 30 |
| Semester 3 Credit Value: | 60 |
| ECTS Credits: | 45.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
- To deepen the knowledge and skills acquired in the first half of the programme through practice.
- To develop an awareness of the range and limitations of technologies available.
- To enhance research skills and awareness of the professional literature.
- To develop an awareness of open problems in the subject.
The individual project is a substantial piece of independent work involving the technical and research skills developed in the taught part of the degree. You will have the opportunity to contribute directly to research or development activities, develop your own specialist expertise in the project topic, and further improve your planning and communication skills. You will work closely with a member of staff from one of the School's research groups, and you may also be working with an industrial partner (possibly in an industry laboratory).
Outline Of Syllabus
1. Project Definition and Planning: Bounding and clarifying a problem for research. Planning background research, identifying relevant information sources. Decomposing a problem and forming a project outline in terms of goals and criteria for success. Identifying resources and tooling required.
Students will either select a project from a list offered by potential supervisors or propose and refine a project proposal with an academic supervisor. Projects will involve learning about some unfamiliar aspect of secure and resilient systems. In every project there will be a research component and a strong design, programming and/or analytic element.
2. Supervision Arrangements: Each project has a lead supervisor and second supervisor, both staff from the School. Additional supervision support may be provided by an industrial partner. The student and lead supervisor will meet regularly throughout the period of the project.
3. Research: Background research will be undertaken in the selected topic using the skills developed in earlier modules with access to library and online resources. The supervisor will advise on quality of sources and standards in the topic area.
4. Development and Analytic Skills: The core of the project will involve carrying out the project plan largely independently, but with guidance from the supervisors.
5. Dissertation: A dissertation will be prepared, describing the technical background, the work undertaken, the analysis of results and directions for further work. Guidance on the style and content of an academic dissertation will be provided by means of lectures and through the supervisor.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 78 | 5:00 | 390:00 | Writing interim report and dissertation |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | Question and Answer session (online synchronous) |
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 2 | 1:00 | 2:00 | Support study material (online non-synchronous) |
| Guided Independent Study | Project work | 98 | 5:00 | 490:00 | Undertaking project |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Dissertation/project related supervision | 17 | 1:00 | 17:00 | Supervisor meetings |
| Total | 900:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The project is undertaken with a lead academic supervisor, working in association with one of the research groups of the School or with a collaborating industrial research laboratory (in which case it will be supervised jointly). There will be a designated second academic supervisor to support assessing the work.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Report | 3 | M | 5 | Interim Report, max 5 pages |
| Dissertation | 3 | M | 95 | 40 pages, excluding appendices |
Zero Weighted Pass/Fail Assessments
| Description | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Prof skill assessmnt | M | Ethics Form |
| Design/Creative proj | M | Demonstration of project results |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The interim report provides a means of assessing the projects initial aims, methodology and planning. The dissertation provides for an assessment of professional skills in research and development, analysis, and detailed technical communication.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- CSC8499's Timetable