Research Dissertation Module for Computer Science and Informatics

Entry Requirement

This document contains an introduction to and overview of the research dissertation module for Computer Science and Informatics master programmes within the School of Architecture, Computing and Engineering. It describes the purpose and operation of the module. As such, all students undertaking CN7000 must read this guide and familiarise themselves with its content.

Entry Requirement

This module is worth 60 credits and it is core to the following programmes:

• Master of Science in Computer Science,
• Master of Science in Data Science,
• Master of Science in Information Security and Computer Forensics.

Module/Dissertation Duration

The CN7000 module runs during every term of the academic year. That is, the module has cohorts starting in Semester A (Term 1), Semester B (Term 2) and Semester C (Term 3). For full-time students, the module is taken over a single semester. For part-time students, themodule is taken over two consecutive semesters, starting with the one in which they register for the module. Note, the duration which you are allowed to study the module will dictate your final dissertation submission deadline. Refer to Table 1 for a matrix illustration of the deadline.

Missing the submission deadline may adversely affect your grade, award and funding/fees. If you have any doubts about the deadline applicable to you, please consult– HUB, departmental admin, project supervisor, personal tutor, programme leader and module leader as required. Please ensure that your module registration reflects your mode of study correctly. That is, students studying the module on a full-time basis should be registered as either SEMA, SEMB or SEMC, whereas, a student studying the module on a part-time basis should be registered as either SEMFA, SEMFB or SEMFC (or SEMFC1). Please check your module registration on UEL Direct to ensure that you are correctly registered.

Learning Outcomes

The aim of this module is to enable you to undertake a sizeable piece of individual academic work in an area of your own interest relevant to, and to demonstrate technical skills acquired in, your programme of study.

This postgraduate work will include an advanced level of research, analysis, design, implementation and critical evaluation of your solution.

You must cover the following topics in practice by applying them to your chosen research  project:

• Identification of a suitable research topic,
• Research methods,
• Literature surveys, searches and reviews,
• Plagiarism and referencing,
• Effectively engaging with academic research both on a theoretical and practical point of view,
• Academic writing and presentation skills,
• The development and documentation, to a master level standard, of a large, non-trivial and genuine research project aligned with your Master of Science programme. At the end of this module, you will be able to:

Knowledge

1. Demonstrate an advanced knowledge of one chosen and highly specific area within the scope of your Master of Science programme and to communicate this knowledge through both a written report (dissertation) and an oral assessment,
2. Demonstrate the knowledge of research methods appropriate for a master level course and to communicate this knowledge through both a written report (dissertation) and an oral assessment, Thinking skills
3. Use analytic skills in assessing the work of others in order to assimilate these results iteratively into an integrated framework of understanding, Subject-based practical skills
4. Write a substantial report (dissertation) containing a practical element representing at least 25% of the overall contribution but not exceeding 50% of the work,  Skills for life and work (general skills)
5. Plan the production of an extended piece of work with a fixed delivery date,
6. Manage and deliver the production of an extended piece of work according to the submitted plan, whilst liaising with a supervisor. All these six learning outcomes (LO) will be assessed through your dissertation and presentation.
7. Differences with Undergraduate Projects This module occurs at a master level and is worth 60 credits. Master programmes aim at providing students with advanced skills, reasoning methodologies and analytical strategies.

Therefore, the expectations in term of work commitment far exceed those required at an undergraduate level. In particular, it is expected from the students to produce an advanced research effort on both the theoretical aspect and the practical aspect of the project. In particular, they must choose a key genuine research problem worthy of a master level investigative work, provide a much deeper analysis and much more efficient solution than what could be asked at an undergraduate level.

At a master level, the emphasis is on excellence on all aspects of the project (choice of the  problem, theoretical analysis, practical design and implementation, critical analysis, dissertation writing).

The module will be delivered through a combination of research methods classes and individual supervision sessions and will be supported by a comprehensive set of self-study materials. Lectures will be used to introduce both the theoretical and practical aspects of the course. They will not necessarily be of a traditionaldidactic nature and you may be required to participate in a variety of tasks during them.

The majority of your time on this module will be spent in private study. You are expected touse this private study time to read widely, beyond the essential reading, and prepare for your supervisory tutorials as requested by the teaching staff.

The Moodle website will play a fundamental role in the delivery of this module. This site will contain a variety of information and resources including teaching and learning materials (study guide, lecture slides), assessment information (Turnitin submission links) and administrative forms that you may need for your research work. As such, you must check the content of Moodle regularly. If you have any issues with accessing the site, please contact the Module leader as soon as possible to rectify access issues.