Introductory description

The project is a stand-alone component of the MSc allowing the Student to experience, first hand, research skills, hypothesis development, hypothesis testing, data collection, data handling, data evaluation and result presentation.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Students will have the choice of a lab-based research project, a dissertation based on work
relevant to the MSc or a work placement. Numbers to lab-based work and placements may be
limited by availability.
For lab-based projects students will choose projects from a list of ongoing departmental research programmes. The student will have a discrete project and, after appropriate training, be involved in design, analysis and execution of all appropriate experimental work. The student will write the project up as a thesis. Supervisors on lab-based projects will be responsible on a day-to-day basis for instruction and training.
For placements, the student will undertake to work to a project plan agreed with a line-manager and supervisor, collecting experience, examples, data, viewpoints etc. as a dataset to include in a placement thesis. On placements, day-to-day responsibility will be held by the local line-manager who will liaise regularly with a placement supervisor in the department. The departmental supervisor may also visit the placement and talk to all parties during its duration. For those choosing a dissertation, a supervisor will set (or a student may select and agree) a suitable topic for research and introduce the student to appropriate sources of information, analysis and interpretation.
The project represents 3 months enquiry and data collection, one month thesis write-up. Students will prepare and deliver a short seminar on their project in month 4.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• By the end of the module the student should have an advanced and critical knowledge of a selected aspect of a topic related to the degree.
• By the end of the module the student should be able to communicate contemporary practice and discuss critically relevant practices and achievements. Presentation of a reasoned argument or experimental plan is expected.
• By the end of the module the student should be able to recognise, suggest and exploit appropriate strategies.
• By the end of the module the student should be able to collect and analyse data and use it to help solve commodity problems.

Research element

Research project

Subject specific skills

By the end of the module the student should be able to collect and analyse data and use it to help solve commodity problems.

Transferable skills

Communicate contemporary practice and discuss critically relevant practices and achievements. Present a reasoned argument or experimental plan.