CS3IP16-Individual Project

Module Provider: Computer Science
Number of credits: 40 [20 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites: Only available to students in the Department of Computer Science
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Varun Ojha
Email: v.k.ojha@reading.ac.uk

Module Co-convenor: Dr Lily Sun
Email: lily.sun@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

In this module, students who study for a BSc in the Department of Computer Science work individually on their final year project, worth 40 credits (out of 120 credits). The student must pass this module in order to be awarded an honours degree as this is a BCS requirement.

This module also encourages students to develop a set of professional skills, such as problem-solving;  creativity; critical thinking; hypothesis generation and testing; literacy; action planning and decision making; self-reflection; negotiation and persuasion; organisation and time management; professional communication (with supervisors and peers); initiative and self-motivation; software design and development; effective use of commercial software; end-user awareness; presentation skills; and technical report writing for technical and non-technical audiences.

Aims:

The module aims to provide the framework for a student to conduct and manage a major piece of degree project work in a professional manner in their subject area to:

1. demonstrate initiative and creativity in applying computing skills, knowledge and experience gained from Part 1 and Part 2 modules in an individual practical and problem-solving project;


2. provide the experience of managing a project and delivering a solution to potential end-users (e.g. customer and supervisor) as realistically as possible in an academic context;


3. further develop generic, project-related skills including those of project management, written and verbal communication, and system presentation and demonstration.

Assessable learning outcomes:

To embrace the analytical and methodological approach of a professional. Students are set a major project which they have to plan, design, implement, test, evaluate and present both orally and in written form. By the end of the module, it is expected that the student will be able to:

• independently identify, research and synthesise literature relevant to the problem;


• apply relevant techniques to systematically design a solution to a problem;


• implement and/or build a suitable solution, with systematic test and evaluation;


• develop a professional approach to record-keeping and log-book maintenance which in turn enhances the student’s ability to maintain a professional development record;


• demonstrate competence in producing professional standard project report;


• critically appraise and reflect on their own work about what has been achieved and th e extent to which the objectives of the project has been reached.

Additional outcomes:
Design, develop and test a specified system; project management, interpersonal skills, time management, skills to maintain a professional development record.

Outline content:

The final year project will usually be related to current research and industrial activities in the department. Students will plan their project, carry it out, present it orally in a formal setting, and give a practical demonstration to a panel of academics. Students will be able to express preferences for their choice of final project based on staff project proposals. Students are also able to propose their own projects. All project proposals are scrutinised for suitability for the particula r degrees.

Arrangement for supervision will normally take the form of a regular meeting (in a group) with supervisor and, as part of the formal progress monitoring process, weekly log-book sign off. Full details of the project arrangements, project titles, monitoring, assessment and timetable for submission of reports are made available to all relevant students via Blackboard by the end of Summer Term of Part 2.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The individual projects are supported and managed via Blackboard. Workshops/drop-in sessions may be given on generic issues, as necessary, depending on subject areas. There is an expectation that, when possible, students should attend seminars in their subject areas in the department. Students will be allocated a project supervisor. There will be regular drop-in sessions organised by the academic supervisor and Q&A consultations. The onus of this module is on independent work, i.e. indivi duals contributing to group endeavour; project work and interaction with the academic supervisor. Contact will be as a whole class, groups, and individual as necessary. Students will be expected to spend 400 hours on their project work. Selection of a project and preparation for the project begins in the Summer Term immediately following Part 2 examinations.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	4
Seminars	2	4
Guided independent study:	194	196
Total hours by term	200	200	0
Total hours for module	400

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Report	60
Project output other than dissertation	5
Oral assessment and presentation	35

Summative assessment- Examinations:
None

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

There are three pieces of summative assessment, i.e.

1. project management (5%),


2. oral project presentation and program/system demonstration (35%), and


3. project report (60%).  

Formative assessment methods:

Students will conduct the following mandatory formative assessments:

• Project Initiation Document (PID) in the second week of Autumn Term;


• Workshop on Poster/presentation session in week 6 of Autumn Term;


• Feedback to supervision in the first week of Spring Term;


• Demo of a prototype system for feedback in Week 6 of Spring Term; and


• Project poster (used in the demonstration of a prototype system and project presentation) in Spring Term.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A mark of 40% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:

Students are required to contact the module convenor to determine the specified assessment component(s). Submission of the specified assessment component(s) is due by August/September.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:  None

2) Specialist equipment or materials:  None

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:  None

4) Printing and binding:  None

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  None

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  None

Last updated: 29 July 2021