Module Details

The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title MSC PROJECT
Code COMP702
Coordinator Prof LA Gasieniec
Computer Science
L.A.Gasieniec@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2019-20 Level 7 FHEQ Summer (June-September) 60

Aims

To give students the opportunity to work in a guided but independent fashion to explore a substantial problem in depth, making practical use of principles, techniques and methodologies acquired elsewhere in the programme.
To give experience of carrying out a large piece of individual work and in producing a dissertation.
To enhance communication skills, both oral and written.


Learning Outcomes

(LO1) After completing the module students should be able to: Investigate and specify a substantial problem in the domain of Computer Science, to place it in the context of related work including, as appropriate, Computer Science reserach, and to produce a plan to address this problem

(LO2) Make use of the qualities and transferable skills necessary for the conduct of a Computer Science project: (i) the exercise of initiative and personal responsibility, (ii) decision making in complex situations, (iii) risk identification (including, as appropriate, commercial and scientific risk), assessment and control, and (iv) the independent learning ability required for continuing professional development

(LO3) Demonstrate effective time management, self-direction and originality in carrying out a project in the domain of Computer Science

(LO4) Locate and make use of information relevant to a given IT project

(LO5) Design a solution to a substantial IT problem

(LO6) Implement and test potential solutions to IT problems

(LO7) Evaluate critically, as relevant to the project, current research and advanced scholarship in Computer Science, evaluate their own work, and participate effectively in the process of peer review of other projects

(LO8) Conduct and evaulate critically the project within the professional, legal, social and ethical framework in Computer Science and Sortware Engineering

(LO9) Prepare and deliver formal presentations

(LO10) Prepare and deliver a demonstration of software

(LO11) Structure and write a dissertation describing their project

(S1) Communication (oral, written and visual) - Presentation skills – oral

(S2) Communication (oral, written and visual) - Presentation skills - written

(S3) Communication (oral, written and visual) - Academic writing (inc. referencing skills)

(S4) Time and project management - Project planning

(S5) Critical thinking and problem solving - Critical analysis

(S6) Critical thinking and problem solving - Evaluation

(S7) Commercial awareness - Ability to analyse/balance risk and reward


Syllabus

 

The main aim of an MSc dissertation project is for a student to develop and demonstrate autonomy in the management and development of realistic projects in computer science, either research or application oriented. Although new technical skills may be acquired, this is not the main aim. At the end of the project a student should have demonstrated the ability to initiate, plan, manage and deliver a complete IT project for a customer or research supervisor. The delivery of the project will include giving interim presentations describing important stages of the project, and a final dissertation describing the project as a whole. Level M Projects are not necessarily expected to involve original research in the sense of making new scientific discoveries. However, at level M there should be some degree of scholarly added value attached to the project (not in the sense of "what new subject a student may have learned from undertaking the project", but "what contribution the p roject makes to the knowledge of others") regardless of whether the project is a practical one or a research oriented one.

MSc projects are not required to be fully-fledged research projects in their own right; but should add some seed of original thinking, innovative approach, interesting or beneficial contribution to the existing body of knowledge. The aim is not necessarily "to do something that has never been done before", but to present a new "angle" or "view point" on something that has been done before. For example:
The critical comparison of some complimentary recent innovations.
The extension or adaptation of some recent innovation so that it becomes in some sense better, e.g. faster, more accurate, requires less storage etc.
The application of some recent innovation to a generic application area where it has not yet been applied.
The combination/concatenation of some recent innovations in a novel manner not previous ly recorded in the literature.

Whatever the case, the key characteristics of the work carried out should be:
Originality: Originality in the application of knowledge, togetherwith a practical application of techniques of research and enquiry.
Generalization: Even when the project has a very specific target, students should address it in a way, which will make the resultspotentially applicable in a broader context.
Critical evaluation: Design decisions made by students in the courseof the project should be made in the context of a critical examination ofalternatives, and the students should subject their results and conclusions to the same rigorous analysis.

All projects should contain the following elements: research, design, realisation and evaluation. Particular projects are allocated on an individual basis.


Teaching and Learning Strategies

Teaching Method 1 - Seminar
Description:
Attendance Recorded: Not yet decided


Teaching Schedule

  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours   1

        1
Timetable (if known)              
Private Study 599
TOTAL HOURS 600

Assessment

EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
             
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
Dissertation Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is not an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :Middle of September  Approximately 120 ho    60       
Demonstration/Presentation of Results Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is not an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :End of Week 12 (August)  Approximately 320 ho    20       
Specification and Proposed Design Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is not an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :End of Week 4 (June)  Approximately 160 ho    20       

Recommended Texts

Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.