MODULE SPECIFICATION – POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMMES
KEY FACTS
Module name Dissertation
Module code EPM949
School Science & Technology
Department or equivalent Engineering
UK credits 60
ECTS 30
Level 7
Delivery location
(partnership programmes
only)
MODULE SUMMARY
Module outline and aims
To qualify for the award of MSc, you must undertake, complete and pass a research
project (Dissertation) which carries a weighting of 60 Credits (30 ECTS). The project
forms a major part of the work during the year and represents the culmination of studies
on the course. It is a substantial and important part of the course, involving a significant
piece of independent work. It provides you with the opportunity to develop your ability to
work independently, making your own contribution to the subject area and drawing
conclusions therefrom.
The project also contributes significantly towards the final degree classification (pass,
merit, distinction), and an MSc degree cannot be awarded if the project is deemed to be
unsatisfactory.
Content outline
The aim of this module is to enable you to apply knowledge, independent thinking and
problem-solving skills to a topic which has not been covered in the taught modules.
The Dissertation module provides experience in managing an investigative project
over a long period. Dependent on the topic you may be required to demonstrate the
appreciation of professional engineering practice, ethics and commercial awareness.
Your chosen project may involve theoretical, mathematical, computational or
experimental work or a combination of all. You might be required to apply your
knowledge and skills to design, deliver and evaluate innovative new products or
services to meet defined needs, using new or existing technologies.
The majority of the projects topics put forward are inspired and underpinned by the
various related research activities in the School or in collaboration with industrial
partners.
Some of the key elements identifying the process are:
• Detailed literature search
• Critical review of available information
• Understanding of research methodology and research ethics
• Planning and execution of the project
• Analysis and evaluation of results
• Dissemination of conclusions
WHAT WILL I BE EXPECTED TO ACHIEVE?
On successful completion of this module, you will be expected to be able to:
Knowledge and understanding:
- Critically evaluate the scientific background and knowledge and understanding of a
specific topic (M4)
Apply critical thought to evaluating available data as well as results from the
investigation (M2)
- Evaluate and compare developing technologies related to the area (M3)
- Apply mathematical and computer-based models for solving problems in
engineering, and the ability to assess the limitations in particular cases (M3, M1)
- Formulate and apply the essential facts, concepts, principles and theories of
engineering design (M5)
-
Skills:
- Plan and execute an investigation involving any combination of experimentation,
analysis and necessary design activities
- Critically review and evaluate published research. Identify new methods of solving
complex problems
- Select a research method from available options, and evaluate results obtained using
the selected method.
- Use scientific literature effectively, research for information develop the ideas further,
and use new information/methods required for novel situations
- Exercise professional judgement while taking into account non-technical economic,
ethical and social issues
- Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
Values and attitudes:
- Take responsibility for planning the courses of action and achieving targets.
- Correctly reference the work of other people
-
- Work and study within the rules and regulations of the University
HOW WILL I LEARN?
During the work on your Dissertation, you will have frequent meetings with your
supervisor, who will guide you through the project development process and will give
you feedback on the submitted deliverables. You may also have meetings with
technicians and research staff to advise on the project development and
implementation.
There will be a series of workshops by other staff including Library & Information
Services (LIS) covering literature searches, surveys and numerical interpretation
techniques as appropriate to your projects.
You will receive written and/or oral feedback on your preliminary reports and on the
intermediate stages of the project.
The Project is considered to be a major independent work and as such the self-study
hours represents a major component of total learning hours.
You will get feedback on the phases of writing the final Dissertation. The expected
size and format of the final Dissertation and guidelines to write it will be provided in
the Dissertation Handbook (MSc Project Handbook).
Teaching pattern:
Teaching Teaching Contact Self-directed Placement Total
component type hours study hours hours student
(scheduled) (independent) learning
hours
Project Project 20 550 570
Supervision Supervision
Workshops Workshop 5 25 30
Totals 25 575 600
WHAT TYPES OF ASSESSMENT AND FEEDBACK CAN I EXPECT?
Assessments
How will I be assessed?
The final assessment is based primarily on a written research Dissertation. The expected
length of the Dissertation is around 60-80 pages (12,000 – 15,000 words) including
illustrations and with no more than 30 pages of appendices (total maximum number of
pages between 90-110). Additional assessment components will be established to
support student’s research work and will be described in the MSc Project Handbook.
Depending on your programme, this assessment could be differentiated to include
preliminary report and assessment of project management. The project will be assessed
in oral examination and presentation, which is compulsory.
Assessment pattern:
Assessment Assessment type Weighting Minimum Pass/Fail?
component qualifying
mark
Research Dissertation 100 50 N
Dissertation
Individual Oral Assessment Y
project viva and Presentation
Assessment criteria
Assessment Criteria are descriptions of the skills, knowledge or attributes students need
to demonstrate in order to complete an assessment successfully and Grade-Related
Criteria are descriptions of the skills, knowledge or attributes students need to
demonstrate to achieve a certain grade or mark in an assessment. Assessment Criteria
and Grade-Related Criteria for module assessments will be made available to students
prior to an assessment taking place. More information will be available from the module
leader.
Feedback on assessment
Following an assessment, you will be given their marks and feedback in line with the
Assessment Regulations and Policy. More information on the timing and type of
feedback that will be provided for each assessment will be available from the module
leader.
Assessment Regulations
The Pass mark for the module is 50%. Any minimum qualifying marks for specific
assessments are listed in the table above. The weighting of the different components
can also be found above. The Programme Specification contains information on what
happens if you fail an assessment component or the module.
INDICATIVE READING LIST None
Version: 4.2
Version date: August 2023
For use from: 2023/24
Appendix: Further information is available on HESA Cost Centres (here) and HECoS
Codes (here). Guidance is also available in the Quality Manual.
CODES
HESA Code Description Price Group
118 Engineering B
HECoS Code Description Percentage (%)
100184 General or Integrated 100
Engineering
