msc projects 2014/2015 induction session dr mike spann m.sc project director [email protected]
TRANSCRIPT
Contents
• Overview of a research project
• Administration of project
• Key resources
• Key dates and what is required in the early stages
A research project
• This is an exercise in individual inquiry
• Is driven by the student, and steered by the supervisor – it is YOUR project!
• Address an academically challenging research problem
• May use theoretical or practical based methods
• 60 credits
What are assessors are looking for?
• Evidence of individual inquiry:– A well thought out research question addressing
something which is academically challenging– Good understanding of the background literature– A sensible scope of work and sensible methodologies– Validation of your work and critical review– Appreciation of the limitations of the approaches
adopted
• Tangible deliverables
What are assessors are looking for?
• A well presented thesis:– A clear and concise structure– Good use of English– Clear diagrams– Clear graphs– Good references (Harvard style)– A good introduction and conclusions– Use of SI units and sensible use of significant
figures
Some tips
• Go to the library and read through some MSc, PhD and MPhil theses – you can get some of these on the UoB website– http://etheses.bham.ac.uk/– Will give you an idea about the standard expected
• Ask your supervisor to give you examples of good work– Especially if they have supervised previous
projects in a similar area
Project administration and skills
• Use a log book and meeting forms (available in general office) – submit copies of meeting forms to PGO.
• It is your responsibility to meet with your supervisor and request meetings (remember staff will be away during part of the summer)
• Expect to report on your progress in meetings• Use a work plan or chart to structure your
activities
Project resources
• Your supervisor’s book shelf!• The library• The on-line library
http://www.library.bham.ac.uk/• The web of science http://wok.mimas.ac.uk/• Other sites: http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/
http://www.sciencedirect.com/• http://scholar.google.co.uk/• Canvas page for project info
Project Assessment
• Conference Style Presentation 5%
• Poster 5%
• Supervisors Assessment 15%
• Dissertation (Final Report) 70%
• Logbook 5%
Key dates• Week 2 Autumn term – project allocation process begins• Week 3 Autumn Term - project titles/supervisors will be emailed out• Week 4 Autumn term – agree a project title and specification and email to Sam
McCauley• Rest of Autumn term – start preliminary work and background research into your
project• Spring and summer terms – start serious practical work• MSc poster presentation week 1 of summer term• MSc project conference day briefing in June• Final dissertation. Mon. 7th September, 2015
– See handbook for further details 12:00 noon
• MSc project conference day (after project submission)– Short presentations attended by staff and students– Need to have an organising committee
All dates are provisional
What do I need to do now?
• You need to fill out the project choice form giving me some idea of your interests and the sort of project you wish to do
• Please hand this in to the PG office before the end of week 2 (Friday 10th October)
• Alternatively there will be an electronic version on Canvas which you can fill out and email to Sam McCauley (not to me!)