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CM50232: Placement research project

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2012/3
Follow this link for further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Computer Science
Follow this link for further information on credits Credits: 30
Follow this link for further information on unit levels Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Follow this link for further information on period slots Period: Dissertation period
Follow this link for further information on unit assessment Assessment: DS80OT20
Follow this link for further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment: Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Follow this link for further information on unit rules Requisites: Before taking this unit you must take CM50175 and you must have reached the required standard in the taught units on your programme.
Follow this link for further information on unit content Description: Aims:
This unit aims to enable and support the student in:
* Exploring and experiencing research and/or investigatory work in a placement context, which may include innovative methods or technologies, team working, aspects of the project development lifecycle and critical review (including evaluation and enhancement).
* Critically reflecting upon the relevance of academic computer science studies to a placement context.
* Demonstrating the ability to apply suitable techniques and tools to produce practicable solutions within the context of the placement in a work-based setting.
* Developing the specialist skills required for a placement-based research project through providing hands on experience of working within a work-place setting.
* Developing a personal commitment to professional standards and assisting in achieving business objectives.
* Identifying future career opportunities based on their placement experience.

Learning Outcomes:
Upon Completion of this unit a student will be able to;
1. identify the tasks to be completed as part of a placement-based research project, plan a scheme of work, and complete the project to a professional standard;
2. assemble and create the necessary analysis, design and development tools, as appropriate for the project, carry out the development of the solution of a technical problem in computer science, and evaluate the effectiveness of the solution against common standards of quality;
3. demonstrate the successful completion of these tasks in a well-structured and coherently written report, which will include a discussion of the research outcomes of the work, and future directions.
4. Critically reflect upon the work experience gained in the areas of working within a team setting, coping with project management issues such as personal interaction with peers and managers, setting and observing timescales and milestones.
5. Demonstrate the ability to provide regular work reviews and reports to both management and peers.

Skills:
Ability to review research literature (F, A). Critical analysis of research work and ideas (F, A). Effectively judge potential solutions and solution paths (F, A). Formulating and testing hypotheses (F, A). Communication skills (F, A). Technical competence in their chosen area (F, A). Adaptability and team working (F, A). Initiative, judgement and self confidence (F).

Content:
The work undertaken by the student whilst on placement will follow an appropriate problem solving route, building on the detailed literature review and project proposal written in CM50175 Research Project Preparation. The student will analyse possible problem solutions based on an extensive review of related research work, as appropriate for the project within a specific placement setting, and choose appropriate methods and approaches. This will lead to the implementation of the chosen solution, its testing and evaluation. In most cases the project will be a synthesis of both an analytical and a computational approach to solving or investigating a substantial computer science problem. However, projects will vary in style, depending on the company the student is working for, and some may be more experimentally-based, and some may be purely theoretical. Upon completion of this unit the student will have researched into a particular subject area and will have applied it to a particular placement context. This provides the student with the opportunity to undertake a critical reflection and comparison of both perspectives.
Follow this link for further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

CM50232 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Computer Science
Notes:
* This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2012/13 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2013/14 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2012/13.
* Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.
* Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.