Research Project for MRes

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• Current research issues relevant to your MRes topic in engineering and the environment.
• Current scientific and technological principles underlying your MRes topic in engineering and the environment.
• The terminology used in your MRes topic in engineering and the environment.

Disciplinary Specific Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• The ability to contribute to the research and development needs of the discipline sector.
• Theory, practice, analysis and interpretation of data in your MRes topic in engineering and the environment.

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• The value and need for multi-disciplinary approaches in advancing knowledge.
• Communication and presentation skills through seminar presentations and production of a research proposal and dissertation.
• The capacity to present ideas, arguments and research findings effectively to a variety of specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Theoretical and empirical developments at the research frontiers in your MRes topic in engineering and the environment.
• The principles of research design and research strategy.

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• General mathematical and statistical tools and approaches relevant to your MRes topic in engineering and the environment.

The MRes Research Project will be in your chosen field of research and involve the in-depth study of a particular problem, technique or process in engineering or environmental science. It will involve a broad contextual overview of the problem area and the specific issues to be investigated. A rigorous literature will be conducted of relevant and related work and used to design the detailed study to be performed. Experimental, theoretical, simulation and other research activities will be developed appropriate for the research topic and results will be critically appraised in a written thesis and oral/poster presentation. Regular meetings will be held with the supervisor(s) and you will be responsible for planning, managing and recording the outcomes.

Teaching and learning methods

Individual guidance by project supervisor on literature research, project design and planning, setting up apparatus as required, performing measurements and/or simulations, gathering data, analysis of results and presentation of work.

Directed and self-directed literature research and reading.

Directed and self-directed preparation of research design, implementation, analysis and reporting.

Guided by your supervisor, you will develop your ability to evaluate alternative experimental designs and analysis methods, implement research plans, collect and analyse data, draw conclusions and report your research work.

Depending on the quality and originality of your work, you may have the experience of preparing a manuscript for submission to an academic journal.

You will prepare two interim reports; one which is a preliminary literature review in month 4, another which is a poster presentation in month 8. In addition you are required to make a seminar presentation in your research group’s seminar series at some point in month 9-11.

Assessment strategy

Referral Method:

A candidate failing to achieve the Pass Mark in this module may submit a revised dissertation on one occasion only. Further experimental work, where relevant, is not normally permitted. The mark for a resubmitted dissertation will be combined with the previously achieved marks for the oral presentation. The Module mark achieved will be Capped at the Module Pass Mark to determine any degree classification.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External