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MA50244: Placement research project

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2015/6
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Mathematical Sciences
Further information on credits Credits: 30
Further information on unit levels Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Further information on teaching periods Period: Dissertation period
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Summary: DS 80%, OT 20%
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Detail:
  • Dissertation (DS 80%)
  • Work-based portfolio (OT 20%)
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment: Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites: Before taking this module you must take MA50200
Further information on descriptions 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 mathematical modelling, team working, and scientific computing.
* Critically reflecting upon the relevance of academic mathematics and scientific computing 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:
On completion of the course, the student should be able to demonstrate:
1. Advanced knowledge in the chosen field.
2. Evidence of independent learning and ability to work collaboratively with the project partner.
3. An ability to apply mathematical, computing, and statistical techniques in the industrial setting.
4. An ability to read critically and to master an advanced topic in mathematics/statistics/probability to the extent of being able to expound it in a coherent, well-argued dissertation.
5. Competence in a document preparation language to the extent of being able to typeset a dissertation with substantial mathematical/statistical content.
6. Critically reflect upon the experience gained in the areas of working with a team, coping with project management such as personal interactions, and observing timescales and milestones.
7. 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 project proposal developed in MA50200 Project Scoping. 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 mathematical modelling problem. 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.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

MA50244 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Mathematical Sciences
Notes:
* This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2015/16 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2016/17 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2015/16.
* 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.