Department of Computer Science, Unit Catalogue 2009/10 |
CM50175: Research project preparation |
 Credits:
| 12 |
| Level:
| Masters |
| Period: | Semester 2 |
| Assessment:
| CW 90%, OR 10% |
| Supplementary Assessment: | Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations) |
| Requisites:
| Before taking this unit you must take CM50109 and After taking this module you must take CM50170 |
| Description: | Aims: To acquire the skills to undertake a research project in fundamental or applied computer science. Learning Outcomes: After taking this unit a student should be able to: * critically analyse and review previous work in a chosen subject area; * undertake and document a detailed literature review in a chosen area of computer science research; * demonstrate a thorough understanding of the technical, theoretical and practical issues of previous and current work in a chosen subject area; * prepare a detailed project proposal; * understand the principles of structuring a dissertation. Skills: Undertaking a primary research literature search (T, F, A); assessing the relevance of research publications (T, A); judging the quality of secondary research resources, such as web resources (T, A); critical analysis of research papers (T, F, A); writing a review of a research area (T, A); preparing a research proposal (T, A). Content: What is a dissertation. The requirements of research. A thesis and its evidence (with examples). Finding and critically evaluating research information, including reading research papers and citing literature (with examples). Choosing a project area. Writing for scientific reports, papers and dissertation. Brief introduction to experimental method and statistical validation. Research topic seminars from a wide variety of active researchers. Assessed seminars on key topics: How to read papers; Thesis statements; Literature reviews. Having identified the area of work and been assigned a project advisor, the student will undertake a conceptual review, a literature search, and a critical analysis of previous work. In consultation with the project advisor the student will write a comprehensive research review and proposal for a subsequent research project. Proposal is evaluated for structure, presentation, appropriateness and understanding of review, appropriateness and structure of research programme. |