RATIONALE

The Project and Dissertation module is a major feature of the BSc (Hons) Network Engineering and BSc (Hons) Software Engineering degrees. The project and its associated dissertation are intended to be demanding, to test student skills to the uttermost and to give students the opportunity to prove they are of Honours standard. The module provides the opportunity for students to apply and develop some of the knowledge and skills acquired in their degree by engaging in a significant project in a specialist area of computing, typically software or networks. It will enable and require students to utilize practical, intellectual and decision-making skills in novel situations. The project will provide a mechanism for students to develop their autonomy and self-direction, whilst undertaking a problem-solving approach to their chosen topic. The dissertation will provide the means by which students can demonstrate their ability to communicate coherently and concisely the development and outcomes of their technical work. 

AIMS

The aims of the module are:

• To explore a computing subject of particular interest to them through undertaking a major piece of connected work 
• To develop and demonstrate their analytical, design, computational and/or research skills within this context where the appropriate assumptions will frequently not be known
• To develop and demonstrate their critical awareness within the subject area, e.g., through efficient literature searches of relevant information.
• To demonstrate skills in planning the use of time to complete long-term goals and the ability to manage long term work through the setting and adjusting of deadlines and exercising initiative in a technical context 
• To select and present information on a major piece of technical work for specific audiences. 

LEARNING OUTCOMES

On successful completion of this module, a student will be able to:

1. Develop an understanding of the context in which the selected project lies. This includes the relationship of the task to the broader area of computing and project-specific fields, an awareness of known results and the literature relating to the chosen area, and the limits of knowledge in this area. 
2. Using germane established and/or leading techniques within the chosen field, critically evaluate a situation or problem (where information may be incomplete), analyse possible solutions, propose methods to come to a solution (justifying methods chosen), and develop a reasoned solution or identify a range of solutions. 
3. Plan and organise the collection of evidence, which is then used to analyse and evaluate the work undertaken. 
4. Communicate clearly and concisely appropriate project-related content to specialist and non-specialist audiences 
5. Demonstrate ability to initiate, plan, and carry out a large project in an effective and coherent way, adhering to sound principles of design, quality and management.