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 DISSERTATION PROJECT
Code CKIT702
Coordinator Prof FP Coenen
Computer Science
Coenen@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2018-19 Level 7 FHEQ Whole Session 60

Aims
  1. To provide a systematic analysis of the nature and conduct of Information Technology and Computer Science research.
  2. To allow students to successfully complete a self-directed IT project culminating in a dissertation.
  3. To equip students with the ability to undertake independent research.
  4. To examine the foundations of research and the associated legal and ethical issues.

Learning Outcomes
A well-founded ability to conduct independent research in the context of IT projects

An ability to write documentation describing and pertaining to IT projects.
Demonstrate knowledge and experience of conducting literature searches.

An ability critically appraise and evaluate research papers.

An ability to critically analyse and evaluate IT project results.
An ability to assess the ethical issues associated with IT projects.

Syllabus
1 

RMT Class:

Seminar 1: What Is Research? The concept of research and the foundation theories and practices whereby it is conducted. An appreciation of the many faces to research, serving different purposes.

Seminar 2: Choosing a project and writing a proposal. How to choose a project and how to construct a project proposal. The expectations of the dissertation.
Seminar 3: Literary search and Scientific Paper reading. The need for a literature survey with reference to the “Information Literacy Module” taken by students earlier in their programme of study but including additional modes of literacy search. How to read, evaluate and criticize research papers.
Seminar 4: Project Planning, Risk and Time Management. Resources requirements of IT projects, including time and money, in order to deliver a product of a particular scope and quality. The "tension" between the extent of resource input and the extent of product output; and the "tension" between project management activities and project development activities. Aspects of project, risk, and time planning, and how to manage them.
Seminar 5: Computer Ethic s. Definition of what “ethics” are and their classification according to different approaches? Implications for computing and Codes of Ethics formulated by different computer associations.
Seminar 6: Conducting and Presenting the Project. Best Practice and structured approaches to project development.
Seminar 7: Presentation and Analysis of Quantitative Data (Optional). Basic statistics that will help with respect to qualitative analysis of data.

 

Teaching and Learning Strategies

Online Learning - Research Methods Training (RMT)

Number of hours per week that students are expected to attend the virtual classroom so as to participate in discussion and individual assessment as part of the RMT class is 5.

Online Learning - Dissertation

Number of hours per week that students are expected to devote to reading, independent research and other individual work to support engagement in the classroom and dissertation work is 20.

Teaching Schedule
  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours           35
Research Methods Training (RMT)
35
Timetable (if known)           Number of hours per week that students are expected to attend the virtual classroom so as to participate in discussion and individual assessment as part of the RMT class is 5.
Number of hours per week that students are expected to devote to reading, independent research and other individual work to support engagement in the classroom and dissertation work is 20.
  		 
Private Study 565
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
Coursework  Research Methods Tra  (normally) Weeks 1-6  10  No reassessment opportunity  Standard UoL penalty applies  Research Methods Training (RMT) There is no reassessment opportunity, Students are not required to achieve a pass mark, they are required to make a "reasonable attempt". 
Coursework  Project Specificatio  Week 14  10  No reassessment opportunity  Standard UoL penalty applies  Project Specification and Design There is no reassessment opportunity, Students are not required to achieve a pass mark, they are required to make a "reasonable attempt". 
Coursework  12,000 - 18,000 word  Week 40  80  Yes  Non-standard penalty applies  Dissertation Non-standard penalty applies for late submission, For dissertations commencing after 1st March 2016: Dissertations submitted up to 10 calendar days after the submission date shall be assessed and 5% of the total marks available for the dissertation component shall be deducted from the assessment mark for every two days after the submission date, up to a maximum of ten calendar days; however, the mark will not be reduced below the pass mark for the assessment. Work assessed below the pass mark will not be penalised for late submission of up to ten days. Work submitted after ten calendar days will receive a fail (zero) grade. Final research projects commencing before 1st March 2016: Dissertations shall have a cap applied to their mark if they are submitted after the submission deadline and within one calendar month of the deadline. The mark will be a maximum of 50 (a minimum passing grade) even if it would have warranted a higher grade had it been submitted on time. Notes (applying to all assessments) Research Methods Training: (i) Although students are not required to achieve a pass mark they are required to make a "reasonable attempt". (ii) Due to the nature of the on-line mode of instruction this work is not marked anonymously. Project Specification and Design : (i) Although students are not required to achieve a pass mark they are required to make a "reasonable attempt". (ii) Due to the nature of the on-line mode of instruction this work is not marked anonymously. Dissertation: (i) Due to the nature of the on-line mode of instruction this work is not marked anonymously.  

Recommended Texts
Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.
Explanation of Reading List:

The online programmes offered by the department of Computer Science in Collaboration with Laureate Online Education use online materials wherever possible including the online resources available within the University of Liverpool’s libraries. This module does not require a specific text book.