Current postgraduate taught students
COMP40901: Industrial Group Project (2012-2013)
This is an archived syllabus from 2012-2013
Credit rating: 25
Pre-requisites: No Pre-requisites
Co-requisites: No Co-requisites
Course Leader: Nick Filer
Additional Lecturers: Alasdair Rawsthorne, Alex Walker
Course leader: Nick Filer
Additional staff: view all staff
Coursework: 100%
Lab: 0%
Introduction
The fourth year of the MEng course commences immediately after the end of the third year with students undertaking a placement in a company over the summer vacation. Students work on a single task for the firm for a period for between 8 and 12 weeks. The work is intended to give students an appreciation of how companies operate, to enable practical skills to be applied to a new application, to enhance existing practical skills, to further time management skills, to improve transferable skills such as communication and team working.
The project is assessed and counts 25 credits towards the fourth year mark. Students are responsible for finding a project although the School makes every effort through its contacts with companies to notify students of firms looking to employ students over the summer vacation. Project proposals are vetted for suitability and approved by the MEng Course Tutor. In general, it is expected that appropriate placements will involve some elements of design, implementation, testing and evaluation.
Aims
The aims for the group project work done in the fourth year are:
1) To manage and execute a substantial project in a limited time.
2) To identify and learn whatever new skills are needed to complete the project.
3) To apply design and engineering skills in the accomplishment of a task. In this context the skills mentioned may be in the general area of design and engineering in its broadest sense, or may be very specifically related to particular tools.
4) To experience team working in an industrial environment.
5) To solve a problem containing a range of commercial and industrial constraints.
6) To communicate effectively with computer science professional as well as non-specialists at a range of levels.
| Programme outcome | Unit learning outcomes | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| G5 | Demonstrated initiative-taking, innovation and self-management in an industrially related group project. |
|
| G5 | Gained a knowledge and understanding of the broad context within which Computer Science resides including issues such as quality, reliability, enterprise, employment law, accounting, and health and safety. |
|
| G5 | Integrated previously acquired skills and applying them to new (demanding) situations. |
|
| G5 | Executed and completed a significant piece of IT work. |
|
| G5 | Given a seminar which justifies the project. |
|
| G5 | Documented the project in a final report. |
|
Syllabus
There is no formal syllabus but placements are expected to have elements of design, implementation, testing and evaluation. Students who secure a placement should fill in the Placements Approval form, accessible from the Industrial Placements section of the undergraduate intranet, for formal approval by the MEng Course Tutor.
Reading List
The notes for guidance and procedures in applying for and undertaking a project are available in the Student Placement Handbook which can be accessed from the Industrial Placements section of the undergraduate intranet.