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 Computer Science Capstone Project
Code CSCK700
Coordinator Professor FP Coenen
Computer Science
Coenen@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2021-22 Level 7 FHEQ Whole Session 60

Aims

1. To equip students with the ability to plan and conduct an independent technical project over an extended period of time.
2. To allow students to successfully complete a self-directed project culminating in an IT artefact, video presentation and a detailed written dissertation.
3. To provide an opportunity for students to reflect on, and use, the tools and techniques acquired during the preceding taught part of the programme.
4. To encourage students to consider and address the legal and ethical issues surrounding their project topic and relate these to the professional standards of the Chartered Institute for IT.


Learning Outcomes

(M1) Conduct independent research and development within the context of a computer science project.

(M2) Produce detailed written documentation to a standard expected of a professional in the field of computer science.

(M3) Develop a stand-alone IT artefact that meets the requirements identified and conforms to a design specification.

(M4) Articulate the legal, social, ethical and professional issues surrounding an extended project, and follow relevant professional codes of practice.

(M5) Communicate technical information clearly and succinctly to a broad, non-specialist audience.

(M6) Evaluate project outcomes with reference to key research publications in the relevant field.

(S1) Ability to organise self and workloads.

(S2) Ability to use online library resources and conduct relevant searches for literature.

(S3) Ability to use information technology (digital fluency).

(S4) Ability to succinctly communicate complex concepts to a wide audience.

(S5) Ability to plan and manage a piece of work spanning an extended period of time.

(S6) Ability to think critically and solve complex problems.


Syllabus

 

The capstone project is an independent piece of work following a plan agreed with their dissertation supervisor. There is no set syllabus.


Teaching and Learning Strategies

The mode of delivery is by online learning, facilitated by a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). This enables students to pursue the capstone project module via home study while continuing in employment. There is less interaction with the online classroom during the project phase of the programme, but students are still required to communicate with their Dissertation Advisor (DA) via the messaging system within the VLE, whilst at the same time demonstrating their ability to work independently. The first eleven weeks form the project scoping and proposal stages, during which students will agree a project title and plan of activity in consultation with their DA, and obtain both project approval and ethical approval. This is a formative activity that allows both parties to understand the focus of the project. The remaining weeks form an extended period of independent study, with two assessment deadlines to enable project progress monitoring, and to provide both formative and summative feedback. Each student has the opportunity to demonstrate digital fluency and build confidence in communication via a range of activities, including poster and video presentations. Students are encouraged to engage with global citizenship by considering the wider context of their project. Under normal circumstances students will not embark on the capstone project module until they have completed the taught modules of the programme.

In more detail. The first four weeks form the “project scoping” phase in which students establish their project title, project outline and a broad plan of activity, under the guidance of a General Dissertation Advisor (GDA). The process of matching students to Dissertation Advisors (DAs) will commence in week 2 once students are clear as to their topic. It is the responsibility of individual students to review DA profiles, identify possible matches and reach out to potential DAs. At the end of the project scoping phase, in week 5, student s will be matched with their DA. The next seven weeks are the “project proposal” phase. In weeks 6 and 7 students will work with their DAs to continue to develop their proposal. In week 8 students will submit their proposal for approval by the programme director. In weeks 9 to 11 students will obtain ethical approval for their proposal; or, if their proposal has not been approved by the programme director, revise their proposal, obtain proposal approval and then ethical approval. Weeks 12 through to 40 are then the “dissertation phase”, which will comprise independent study and feature a number of deliverables; these deliverables will provide for progress monitoring and for formative feedback. The timeline is as follows:

W1 - W4: Project Scoping (students start working on their plan and the process of identifying a DA)
W5: Matching with DAs
W6 - W7: Continued work on proposal
W8: Proposal submission; and summative assessment of project prop osal
W9 - W11: Ethical Approval
W16: Summative assessment -design and specification
W28: Summative assessment - poster
W40: Summative assessment - IT artefact, video demonstration of IT artefact, dissertation


Teaching Schedule

  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours           200

20

220
Timetable (if known)              
Private Study 380
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
(Wk40) IT Artefact: Each project must produce an artefact, typically a piece of software (though other types of artefact are acceptable). This will be submitted with the dissertation but has its own d      10       
(Wk28) Poster: A confident and succinct summary of what the student has been doing and the progress made so far, including screenshots of any software artefact, design diagrams, and deviations from th  1000-1500 words    10       
(Wk40) Video Demonstration: A 10-minute video demonstration of the artefact (or discussion in the case of non-software artefacts). It should ideally show a screen recording of the software in a variet  10 minutes    10       
(Wk40) Dissertation: A coherent and detailed written report of the project, covering the journey from conception to delivery.  12000-18000 words    50       
(Wk8) Project Plan: Submission of a project title and short description, following detailed discussion with the supervisor.  300-500 words    10       
(Wk16) Specification: An overview of the project, its aims and objectives, key literature related to the project, the development method to be used, an evaluation plan (including ethical treatment of   1000-1500 words    10       

Recommended Texts

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