Overview of Two MSc Research Specialisms

Knowledge and Understanding

This Assignment assesses the following module Learning Outcomes (from Definitive Module Document):

LO1 Have a conceptual understanding of how established techniques of research are used to create and extend existing knowledge in computer science.

LO2 Be able to identify a research problem from synthesizing problem definitions from relevant literature.

LO3 Demonstrate originality in proposing alternative solutions within a chosen area.

LO4 Critically evaluate research literature and identify research problems to solve

LO5 Demonstrate ability to propose alternative approaches for future work in a chosen area.

LO6 Communicate research knowledge effectively in scholarly manner.

To provide exposure to research areas in Computer Science drawn from the Department’s research profile in order to provide preparatory ground for students to pursue a deeper investigation of a research topic as part of their Master’s project.

As an MSc research student, you are expected to understand how other areas of computer science relate to your chosen specialism. You must have a grasp of significant current open problems in other specialisms, as well as an understanding of how techniques and methods from other research areas can be applied within your specialism.

In this assignment you must provide an overview of two MSc Research specialism lectures (AI / Networking / Cyber Security / Software Engineering / Data Science) which are NOT the specialism you discussed in Assignment 1.

For each of these two areas, you must discuss the research question presented within the relevant specialist lecture for this specialism, propose some research approaches to investigate this question and identify further work you might undertake which builds on this. You must also explore your personal strengths in this area.

You are required to submit a Word document containing your report via Studynet.  Your report must not exceed 2800 words (+ / - 10%) in total, made up of 1400 (+ / - 10%) per research specialism.

You must include a title page showing the module code, your name, student number, MSc route and the two research specialisms you have chosen.

Please note that you are encouraged to use Turnitin as part of your personal development.

Please see the detailed marking scheme below.

As part of this assignment you are required to produce an overview of two MSc research specialisms ( AI / Networking / Cyber Security / Software Engineering / Data Science) which are NOT the specialism you discussed in Assignment 1. 

The first research specialism you are discussing for this assignment. This must be approximately 1400 words (+ / - 10%), and will count for 50% of the grade for this assignment.

Skills and Attributes

You are required to discuss the research question presented within the relevant specialist lecture for this research specialism, propose some research approaches to investigate this question and identify further work you might undertake which builds on the existing research. You must also explore your personal strengths in this area.

The second research specialism you are discussing for this assignment. This must be approximately 1400 words (+ / - 10%), and will count for 50% of the grade for this assignment.

You are required to discuss the research question presented within the relevant specialist lecture for this research specialism, propose some research approaches to investigate this question and identify further work you might undertake which builds on the existing research. You must also explore your personal strengths in this area.

Both Part 1 and Part 2 must include the following sections. The word lengths are provided as guidance only, and no marks will be deducted specifically on the grounds of word length of each section.

Provide a brief description of the first research specialism (Part 1) or second research specialism (Part 2) you have selected for this assignment. This should be accessible to someone with a broad knowledge of computer science, but without any specific knowledge of this specialism.

Identify the research question discussed in the relevant subject specialist lecture for this specialism. Describe this research question or problem in detail. Ensure that you describe why this question this is scientifically interesting and / or applicable to a real-world problem.

Provide a brief literature review of existing other work – i.e. not the research specialist paper – that has been done on this problem and on similar problems. Why does this existing other work not fully answer or solve these problems? What are some related open problems? You must make reference to existing work beyond that presented in the paper discussed by the subject specialist.

Describe the research methods which have been used in the research specialist paper to investigate this question. Evaluate the effectiveness of this research, considering both its advantages and disadvantages. Describe an approach you might take to build on this research to answer related open questions. Remember to draw on the principles of experimental design and theoretical / practical research as introduced in the lectures.

Identify how you might gain the necessary strengths and experiences which would help fit you for research in this area.

6. References

You will need to include at least 10 references for Part 1 and at least 10 references for Part 2 (the lecture material may count as one reference, and you may repeat a reference in both Part 1 and Part 2 provided this is relevant to both). You should use Harvard-style referencing, and your references do not count towards your word count.