The Project
The project is a major element in the MSc course and must be completed satisfactorily for you to be eligible for graduation. A dissertation may be defined as:
An ordered, critical and reasoned exposition of knowledge in an approved field and shall exhibit evidence of knowledge of the relevant literature.
To accomplish this, you will be expected to demonstrate:
- Ability to put into practice the knowledge gained in the taught part of the course.
- Understanding of the academic concepts, practical skills and management techniques gained on the course and the ability to apply them.
- Capability to write a substantial report in a well-structured and lucid way.
The project should not be looked upon as a “necessary evil‟ that is required to fulfil the requirements of the course. It should be taken as an opportunity for you to show your competence and ability in analysing and solving problems.
Tackled properly, this work may offer you certain benefits:
- It will represent a substantial piece of work that will mark a “milestone‟ in your development.
- If conducted enthusiastically, it will impress the management of any industrial collaboration involved, which may lead to a chance of employment or promotion.
- It will give you a very quotable entry for your Curriculum Vitae.
- It will be a source of personal pride and esteem if well received.
- It could provide the basis of a publication in a learned journal or a presentation at a research conference, in collaboration with your advisor.
Relevant to your degree of study
Your project must be related to your degree of study:
- Product Design – A design project, or a research project on the design process.
- Design Engineering – A design project in an engineering context, or a research project on design engineering.
- Design Engineering with X (e.g. Sustainability) – A design project in a sustainability engineering context, or a research project on (Sustainability) in design engineering.
- Mechatronics and Automation - A design project in the context of mechatronics and automation, or a research project on mechatronics and automation.
- Advanced Manufacturing: Technology and Systems - A research project on Advanced Manufacturing technologies or systems.
- Systems Engineering Management - A research project on systems engineering management.
- Engineering Management for Process Excellence - A research project on Engineering Management for Process Excellence.
- Supply Chain and X (e.g. Logistics) – A research project on Logistics in the supply chain.
Learning Outcomes and Assessment
For each of the Module Learning Outcomes, the following criteria will be used to make judgements on student learning:
- LO1 Define a valid project in a cutting-edge field of study relevant to the student’s degree, e.g., design, engineering management, manufacturing technology:
- LO1.1 Analyse a field of study to an appropriate degree of detail to define and justify robustly a suitable research project, its aim, and objectives
- LO1.2 Justify and develop an appropriate and complete research methodology for a project involving technical analysis and demonstrating independent critical thinking.
- LO2 Execute a project in a cutting-edge field of study relevant to the student’s degree, involving, where appropriate, technical analysis and independent critical thinking:
- LO2.1 Provide a thorough, logical and critical review of an identified field.
- LO2.2 Generate clear outcomes, conclusions and recommendations from a project involving technical analysis and demonstrating independent critical thinking.
- LO2.3 Employ appropriate tools, processes, assumptions, rationale, and levels of analysis in a project. LO2.4 Apply appropriate project management techniques in a project.
- LO3 Document a research project in a cutting-edge field of study relevant to the student’s degree:
- LO3.1 Apply appropriate research formatting/presentation techniques in a dissertation and verbal presentation
- LO3.2 Describe and discuss a project to appropriate levels of clarity, completeness and quality via a
written dissertation and verbal presentations.
- LO3.3 Show evidence of a clear knowledge contribution from a project
