MSc Dissertation - 2024 entry

The aim of the project and associated dissertation is to showcase a range of your abilities, including effective communication skills. You will have the chance to undertake individual research of a technical, management or combined nature at Masters level related to your MSc programme.
 

The dissertations may be design or research oriented with different mixtures of experimental, empirical or analytical work. The mapping to intended learning outcomes (ILOs) depends on the emphasis of the project on design, experiment, collecting empirical data, and analytical work. Students will demonstrate which ILOs the individual components of their dissertation addresses.

 Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:

1 Demonstrate a deep and systematic understanding of knowledge in areas appropriate to the chosen research project at the forefront of the academic discipline.

2. Apply appropriate engineering analysis methods for solving complex problems in engineering and to assess their limitations.

3. Use fundamental knowledge to investigate new and emerging technologies.

4. Collect and analyse research data and to use appropriate engineering analysis tools in tackling unfamiliar problems, such as those with uncertain or incomplete data or specifications, by the appropriate innovation, use or adaptation of engineering analytical methods.

5. Show comprehensive understanding of research techniques and methodologies applicable to the research area of the project.

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:

6. Demonstrate critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights most of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of the specialisation.

Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge:

7. Monitor and adjust a personal programme of work on an on-going basis.

8. Illustrate effective communication skills using a variety of commonly available media and techniques.

Programmes that are accredited by the Engineering Council are required to meet Accreditation of Higher Education 

Programmes (AHEP4) Learning Outcomes.

The following Engineering Council AHEP4 Learning Outcomes are taught and assessed on this module:

M1 – Apply a comprehensive knowledge of mathematics, statistics, natural science and engineering principles to the solution of complex problems. Much of the knowledge will be at the forefront of the particular subject of study and informed by a critical awareness of new developments and the wider context of engineering.

M2 - Formulate and analyse complex problems to reach substantiated conclusions. This will involve evaluating available data using first principles of mathematics, statistics, natural science and engineering principles, and using engineering judgment to work with information that may be uncertain or incomplete, discussing the limitations of the techniques employed.

M4 - Select and critically evaluate technical literature and other sources of information to solve complex problems.

C15 - Apply knowledge of engineering management principles, commercial context, project and change management, and relevant legal matters including intellectual property rights.

M17 - Communicate effectively on complex engineering matters with technical and non-technical audiences, evaluating the effectiveness of the methods used. 

Programme of work to be set by the project supervisor.

Reassessment will be by resubmission of the written dissertation only. For deferred candidates, the module mark will be uncapped. For referred candidates, the module mark will be capped at 50%.

Basic reading:

ELE: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk

Including ECMM410 (Research Methodology module lecture notes)

Reading list for this module: