Department of Computer Science, Unit Catalogue 2007/08 |
CM50170 Dissertation |
| Credits: 30 |
| Level: Masters |
| Dissertation period |
| Assessment: CW 100% |
| Requisites: |
| Before taking this unit you must take CM50175 |
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Before taking this unit, students must obtain the required standard in the MSc in Computer Science taught units. Aims: To develop skills of individual research project effort in a computer science based undertaking with original development content related to the Masters theme studied by the student. A student will be able to: * identify the tasks to be completed in a research project proposal, plan a scheme of work, and complete the project to a professional standard; * assemble and create the necessary analysis, design and development tools, 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; * demonstrate the successful completion of these tasks in a well-structured and coherently written dissertation. Learning Outcomes: A student will be able to: * identify the tasks to be completed in a research project proposal, plan a scheme of work, and complete the project to a professional standard; * assemble and create the necessary analysis, design and development tools, 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; * demonstrate the successful completion of these tasks in a well-structured and coherently written dissertation, which will include a discussion of the research outcomes of the work, and future directions. 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). Content: The student will follow an appropriate problem solving route, building on the detailed literature review and dissertation project proposal written in CM50175 Research Project Preparation. The student will analyse possible problem solutions based on an extensive review of related research work, 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, and some may be more experimentally-based, and some may be purely theoretical. A comprehensive dissertation will be submitted at the completion of the project. |