Material science

7001MSC: Project Proposal 1

Coursework Title: MSc Project Proposal & Planning

Module Name:

Module Code:

Level:

Credit Rating:

Weighting:

Maximum mark

available:

Lecturer:

Research Skills

7001MSC

M

10

50% of the module mark

100%

Contact: Email: Room:

Issue Date:

Hand-in Date:

Hand-in Method: Through Canvas (electronic)

Feedback: Your work will be marked and returned within two weeks using a Feedback sheet. A copy of this is available on Canvas which provides the mark allocation

Programmes: MSc Manufacturing Engineering MSc Mechanical Engineering MSc Marine and Offshore Engineering

You are advised that the School of Engineering, Technology and Maritime

Operations operates a zero tolerance approach to late submission of

coursework. Any coursework submitted late will be awarded a zero mark unless

there are valid mitigating circumstances supported with evidence of the mitigation

claimed.

Be advised that loss of computer data will not be accepted in mitigation; it is

entirely your responsibility to ensure the secure backup of all electronic data.

7001MSC: Project Proposal 2

Introduction This coursework is to be carried out individually. It is designed to meet the module Learning Outcomes, as presented in the module proforma, i.e.

Learning Outcomes: LO2 Formulate a research plan, demonstrating an understanding of the effect of risks

and uncertainties in the delivery of a complex project. LO3 Present comprehensive research results according to appropriate conventions

Coursework Specification and Corresponding Marks As part of the M.Sc. course you are required to undertake a project that is relevant to your MSc programme, and that is a reasonable technical challenge. However, before you start your project you will be required to produce a project proposal & planning document and have it agreed with a relevant member of staff (who will become your Project Supervisor).

In this assignment, you are to give an account of your proposed project which is sufficiently detailed to enable markers to appreciate the nature of the project, and to understand how all the resources described relate to the project. The proposal should meet the following criteria:

• It identifies the objectives of the project. • It describes the problem that the project will address and its relevance to the MSc

Programme you are studying. • It presents background research on the problem and possible solutions. • It considers data collect and analysis methods • It identifies an appropriate approach/methodology which will be followed during the project. • It identifies any risks, health & safety issues, as well as any ethical issues that might occur

during the proejct. • It includes a project plan which shows how the project objectives can be met within the

required timescale (i.e. a Gantt chart), which also identifies any critical paths.

The project proposal should be a 1000 word report excluding the Gantt chart.

An example framework for the proposal (along with word limit indications) is provided at the end of this document.

Submission

Submit your work electronically using Canvas.

Your work will be marked and returned within two weeks using the Feedback sheet.

Guide to Performance Criteria (Please read the accompanying marking scheme)

70% and above: Your work must be of outstanding quality and fully meet the requirements of the coursework specification and learning outcomes stated. You must show independent thinking and apply this to your work showing originality and consideration of key issues. There must be evidence of wider reading on the subject. Key words which may describe a coursework at this level include: appraises, compares, concludes, contrasts, criticizes, critiques, defends, discriminates, evaluates, explains, interprets, justifies, relates, supports.

60% - 70%: Your work must be of good quality and meet the requirements of the coursework specification and learning outcomes stated. You must demonstrate some originality in your work and show this by applying new learning to the key issues of the coursework. There must be evidence of wider reading on the subject.

7001MSC: Project Proposal 3

Key words which may describe a coursework at this level include: categorizes, combines, compiles, creates, devises, generates, modifies, reconstructs, identifies, illustrates, outlines, synthesizes.

50% - 60%: Your work must be comprehensive and meet all of the requirements stated by the coursework specification and learning outcomes. You must show a good understanding of the key concepts and be able to apply them to solve the problem set by the coursework. There must be enough depth to your work to provide evidence of wider reading. Key words which may describe a coursework at this level include: demonstrates, changes, applies, operates, produces, predicts, shows, solves, uses, translates, comprehends, converts, generalizes.

40% - 50%: Your work must be of a standard that meets the requirements stated by the coursework specification and learning outcomes. You must show a reasonable level of understanding of the key concepts and principles and you must have applied this knowledge to the coursework problem. There should be some evidence of wider reading. Key words which may describe a coursework at this level include: comprehends, defines, describes, identifies, knows, labels, lists, matches, outlines, recalls, recognizes, reproduces, selects, states, rewrites.

Below 40%: Your work is of poor quality and does not meet the requirements stated by the coursework specification and learning outcomes. There is a lack of understanding of key concepts and knowledge and no evidence of wider reading.

Extenuating Circumstances If something serious happens that means that you will not be able to complete this assignment, you need to contact the module leader as soon as possible. There are a number of things that can be done to help, such as extensions, waivers and alternative assessments, but we can only arrange this if you tell us. To ensure that the system is not abused, you will need to provide some evidence of the problem.

More guidance is available at http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/student-administration/126427.htm

Any coursework submitted late without the prior agreement of the module leader will receive 0

marks.

Academic Misconduct The University defines Academic Misconduct as ‘any case of deliberate, premeditated cheating, collusion, plagiarism or falsification of information, in an attempt to deceive and gain an unfair advantage in assessment’. This includes attempting to gain marks as part of a team without making a contribution.

For more information you are directed to following the University web pages:

 Information on study skills: http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/studysupport/

 Information regarding referencing: http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/studysupport/69049.htm

7001MSC: Project Proposal 4

SUGGESTION FOR LAYOUT AND CONTENT

Project Proposal & Planning Framework

MSc Porjects in Engineering

Potential Title:

Possible Supervisor Name:

Aims of the Investigation/Research Questions/Objectives: (Bullet point the aims and related objectives. Limit 100 words)

Rationale for Choosing the Topic: (Justify your choice of topic, e.g. why is the research question important f? How topical will your research idea be? Highlight the contributions to be expected – limit of 100 words)

Summary of Literature Review: (You must show evidence of wide literature source coverage, e.g. textbooks, journal articles, conference papers, relevant academic or practitioners’ web sources – limit of 300 words)

Plan of Work: (This should include detail on such things as: a summary of the techniques you will use; a timetable for data collection/ analysis; programme and/or plan of research; justification for resources being sought - limit of 200 words)

A Gantt chart should also be included

Data Collection and Analysis: (In this space explain your plans to analyse the data collected. What problems do you foresee and how do you intend to tackle these problems? Limit of 100 words)

Risk Assessment, Health & Safety Issues, and/or Ethical Issues: (What are the realistic risks involved with undertaing this project ?, e.g. a student undertaking a power engineering topic might be electrocuted. Are there any ethical considerations in relation to your proposed topic. How do you know your research is ethical? Limit 100 words)

Limitations of the Investigation/Future Directions: (Write a summary of what you think will be the proposed outcomes, study limitations and future directions. Limit 100 words)

References: (use an appropriate referencing system, such as the Harvard System)