CEM18B-Engineering Research and Dissertation

Module Provider: School of Construction Management and Engineering, School of Built Environment
Number of credits: 40 [20 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Spring / Summer term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites: CEM18A Engineering Research and Dissertation
Modules excluded: CEM10A Research skills CEM10B Research dissertation CEM19A Energy Research Skills CEM19B Energy Research Dissertation
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Prof Runming Yao
Email: R.Yao@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Students are provided with academic supervision to support their dissertation research and writing on a topic of their choice.

Aims:

The aim is to equip students with the necessary understanding, knowledge and skills to produce a dissertation including all parts of a research project.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module, it is expected that the student will be able to demonstrate ability in the following areas:

• Conduct and communicate research in a relevant field at a postgraduate taught level.


• Select and use appropriate research methods and methodologies, including how to formulate research problems and an appreciation of alternative approaches to research.


• Use appropriate library resources an d bibliographic aids to support research activity.


• Apply recognised research strategies and techniques, and to produce a sustained and logical argument on a specific research topic.


• Develop clear and concise dissertation writing and organisation of written material.

Additional outcomes:

Presentation skills

Outline content:

Dissertation work is student-led and the student’s individual study is central to the learning and teaching on this module. Students are expected to work independently for the vast majority of the learning hours of the dissertation project. Students are also expected to actively maintain contact with their supervisor.

Postgraduate Dissertation Handbook is provided to guide students and their supervisors in preparation of the dissertation, in cluding all of the relevant templates (i.e. SCME PG Dissertation Title Page Template, Supervision meeting record, SCME PG Dissertation Deposit Form and Ethics Approval Applicant Form).

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Lectures, practical exercises and group work.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Project Supervision		5	5
Guided independent study:		195	195
Total hours by term		200	200
Total hours for module	400

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	90
Oral assessment and presentation	10

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

One dissertation - approximately 12,000-15,000 words (The dissertation should be prepared in accordance with the current School "Postgraduate Dissertation Handbook".); submission date: TTWk 50

One dissertation presentation- submission date: TTWk 49 One dissertation poster - submission date: TTWk 49

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy £Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes£, which can be found here: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/files/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmissionPGflexible.pdf
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 50% overall

Reassessment arrangements:

Re- submission of failed elements. Students are required to contact the School to confirm reassessment arrangements.

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 March 2022