Department of Computer Science, Unit Catalogue 2006/07

CM30076 Project preparation

Credits: 6

Level: Honours

Semester: 1

Assessment: OT100

Requisites:

After taking this unit you must take CM30082 and before taking this unit you must take CM10134 and take CM10135

(or equivalents authorized by the Director of Studies). Students are expected to have a prior knowledge of software engineering techniques (completion of CM10136 or CM20026 or suitable prior reading). Aims: To enable the choice of projects and alloction of project supervisor(s). To facilitate the development of an agreed project proposal. To apply abilities in requirements capture and analysis. To apply skills in project planning and management. To develop skills in academic writing and critiquing technical proposals.
Learning Outcomes:
1. Understand the academic requirements of the project;
2. To be able to critique personal abilities and skills in scoping and planning a project;
3. To be able to gather requirements and translate these into objectives within a project plan constrained by available resources;
4. To understand the requirements for academic writing, including referencing and the appropriate use of graphs, diagrams and tables;
5. To gain experience and demonstrate skills in scholarly research and its presentation through academic writing;
6. To demonstrate the ability to critically analyse previous work and identify appropriate techniques that will produce successful solutions;
7. To understand the ethical and legal framework relating to project work.
Skills:
Project planning (T/F, A), Communication (T/F, A), IT (Legal awareness) (T/F).
Content:
The requirements of a final year Computer Science project. Selecting a project and preparing your proposal. Proposal structure. Project bounding and planning using appropriate Project Management techniques. Effective and ineffective written communication. When to use graphs, diagrams and pictures. Citing and use of references. Styles of written English. The project dissertation. Conducting effective background research. Review and relation to the project of: laws relating to intellectual property, copyright and patent, Data Protection and Freedom of Information laws, professional practice, Ethical experimental practice.

University | Catalogues for 2006/07