MSc Dissertation - 2019 entry

This dissertation will give you the chance to demonstrate your knowledge, to exercise your initiative and personal responsibility, and to use the research techniques and skills you have developed throughout your degree.

You will be required to solve a research or industrially-related practical problem based on the topics learned within, but not exclusive to, the MSc programme you are registered for. The project work will lead to a major piece of work (dissertation) of approximately 18,000 words that involves project planning, analytical, experimental or empirical results and their interpretation, showing how the goals of the project have been met. You will receive a list of potential projects and will be requied to express your two preferences. Alternatively, you can discuss your own dissertation ideas with the module leader / potential supervisor (academic staff) with a view to explore if they offer required technical rigour and research challenge. You will be encouraged to discuss your preferences with relevant academic staff before we allocate projects. As part of the research project, you are expected to undertake a considerable amount of self study. There is no formal taught component in the module, apart from suggested regular meetings with the supervisor.

Prerequisite modules: All compulsory modules listed for (or equivalent) the MSc programme you are registered for.

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.
 

This is a constituent module of one or more degree programmes which are accredited by a professional engineering institution under licence from the Engineering Council.
The learning outcomes for this module have been mapped to the output standards required for an accredited programme, as listed in the current version of the Engineering Council’s ‘Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes’ document (AHEP-V3).

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.

ILOs SM1fl-SM3fl and G1fl - G4fl apply to all projects.

Engineering analysis ILOs EA1fl, EA2fl and EA3fl apply (but not exclusively) to projects of an analytical nature.

Economic, legal, social, ethical and environmental ET5fl apply to all projects while the ILOs ET2fl, ET3fl, ET4fl and ET6fl may apply (but not exclusively) to projects with a focus on engineering management.

Design ILOs D1fl, D2fl and D3fl apply to projects of a design nature where a physical element (product, machine, system or process) is created or improved.

Engineering practice ILOs EP2fl and EP3fl apply to all projects while EP1fl apply (but not exclusively) to projects with a high degree of practical and experimental work.

A full list of the referenced outcomes is provided online: http://intranet.exeter.ac.uk/emps/subjects/engineering/accreditation/

The AHEP document can be viewed in full on the Engineering Council’s website, at http://www.engc.org.uk/

 
On successful completion of this module, you should be able to:

 
Module Specific Skills and Knowledge: SM1fl, SM2fl, SM3fl, EA1fl, EA2fl, EA3fl, EP3fl


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

3. understand concepts relevant to the discipline, some from outside engineering, and the ability to evaluate them critically and to apply them effectively, including in engineering projects.

4. apply appropriate engineering analysis methods for solving complex problems in engineering and to assess their limitations.

5. use fundamental knowledge to investigate new and emerging technologies.

6. 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.

7. show comprehensive understanding of research techniques and methodologies applicable to the research area of the project.

8. apply engineering techniques taking account of a range of commercial and industrial constraints.


Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge: SM2fl, SM3fl, EA3fl, D1fl-D3fl, ET2fl, ET3fl, ET4fl, ET5fl, ET6fl, EP1fl, EP2fl

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

10. understand concepts relevant to the discipline, some from outside engineering, and the ability to evaluate them critically and to apply them effectively, including in engineering projects.

11. ability to 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.

12. develop knowledge, understanding and skills to work with information that may be incomplete or uncertain, quantify the effect of this on the design and, where appropriate, use theory or experimental research to mitigate deficiencies.

13. develop knowledge, comprehensive and understanding of design processes and methodologies and the ability to apply and adapt these in unfamiliar situations.

14. generate an innovative design for products, systems, components or processes to fulfil new needs.

15. show awareness that engineers need to take account of the commercial and social contexts in which they operate.

16. understand and show an understanding of management and business practices, their limitations, and how these may be applied in the context of the particular specialisation.

17. show awareness that engineering activities should promote sustainable development and ability to apply quantitative techniques where appropriate.

18. develop knowledge off relevant regulatory requirements governing engineering activities in the context of the particular specialisation.

19. ability to make general evaluations of risk issues in the context of the particular specialisation, including health & safety, environmental and commercial risk.

20. develop an advanced level of knowledge and understanding of a wide range of engineering materials and components.

21. thorough understanding of current practice and its limitations, and some appreciation of likely new developments.

Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge: G1fl-G4fl

22. apply skills in problem solving, communication, information retrieval, working with others, and the effective use of general IT facilities.

23. plan self-learning and improve performance, as the foundation for lifelong learning/CPC.

24. monitor and adjust a personal programme of work on an on-going basis.

25. exercise initiative and personal responsibility, which may be as a team member or leader.

26. prove independence and self direction in problem solving and decision making.

27. exercise initiative and personal responsibility in professional practice.

28. illustrate effective communication skills using a variety of commonly available media and techniques..

Learning Outcomes 13-21 will be developed depending on the nature of the dissertation underaken, therefore, some skills maybe more concentrated on rather than others.
 

Programme of work to be set by the project supervisor.

If a module is normally assessed entirely by coursework, all referred/deferred assessments will normally be by assignment.

If a module is normally assessed by examination or examination plus coursework, referred and deferred assessment will normally be by examination. For referrals, only the examination will count, a mark of 50% being awarded if the examination is passed. For deferrals, candidates will be awarded the higher of the deferred examination mark or the deferred examination mark combined with the original coursework mark.

Basic reading:

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

Including ECMM410 (Research Methodology module lecture notes)
 

Web based and Electronic Resources:

Other Resources:

Reading list for this module: