NG3S111 - Individual Dissertation 14 Aug 2015 - 31 Aug 2021 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: NG3S111
Module Title: Individual Dissertation
Faculty: Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science
Faculty Group: Engineering
Faculty Sub Group: Civil Engineering and Built Environment
Module Leader: Jonathan Oti
Module Team: Paul Ryall, Roderick Robinson
First Intended Intake: SEP 2015 Final Year of Intake:
Date Closed: 27 Feb 2019
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 6
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100148 - civil engineering
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 14 Aug 2015
Valid To 31 Aug 2021

Module Aims

To enable the student carry out an in-depth individual investigation into a particular topic.

To develop the ability of the student to prepare a formal report and presentation to illustrate the objective, method and findings of an investigative project.

To develop the enthusiasm, initiative and powers of independent thought of the student, together with his/her ability to work without undue supervision.

Content Summary

Each student is to select a relevant topic within the field of structures, civil engineering, highway and transportation engineering, geotechnical, building, environmental and water engineering, construction materials, and construction management or any other civil engineering related subject area, and produce a synopsis of that topic, that will be agreed by the Module Leader in conjunction with other supervising academic staff.

The Module leader will maintain a list of recent topic areas that have been used, as well as a selection of submitted Projects, to assist in the choice of topic and as an indication of what is required from the student. Although a straight word count is difficult to prescribe due to the different nature of various types of projects being undertaken, it is expected that a typical length of between 8,000 and 10,000 words or equivalent (including drawings figures equivalent but except any appendices and references) should be appropriate.

Projects have often been linked to work done by students who have undertaken Supervised Work Experience and areas of staff Research Interests as well as to the individual students own interests.

This module will facilitate the development of Personal Development Planning through the delivery of the key skills identified below in the module descriptor.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 2
Independent Study 198
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 The ability of the student to work independently using their own initiative
LO2 Prepare a formal and critically analytical report to illustrate the object, method and findings of an investigative project (This is to be submitted according to the instructions issued to each student at the start of the Project)
LO3 Deliver a presentation to summarise the contents of the project report and to demonstrate a thorough understanding of the topic area in a question and answer session

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Oral Assessment (CW) Presentation (CW) 1 Presentation 10 N/A 15 No 40
Written Assignment (CW) Report (CW) 1 Binded report 0 5000 85 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2 LO3
Presentation (CW) 1
Report (CW) 1

Reading List

Allison B., 2004.The student's guide to preparing dissertations and theses. 2nd ed. London: Routledge Falmer

Ball S., 2012. The complete guide to writing your dissertation: advice, techniques and insights to help you enhance your grades.
Oxford: How to Books

Berry, R. (2004) The research project: how to write it. 5th ed. Abingdon: Routledge.

Biggam J., 2011. Succeeding with your master’s dissertation: a step-by-step handbook, 2nd ed. Maidenhead: Open University Press

Blaxter L, Hughes C and Tight M., 2010. How to research. 4th ed. Maidenhead: Open University Press

Naoum S.G., 2007. Dissertation Research and Writing for Construction Students. Butterworth-Heinemann

Swetnam D., 2001. Writing Your Dissertation: How to Plan, Prepare and Present Your Work Successfully. How to Books Ltd

Oppenheim, A.N., 1992. Questionnaire design, interviewing and attitude measurement. London: Pinter Publishers.

Fink, A. (2003) How to ask survey questions. Thousand Oaks, Cal. London: Sage.

Bell J., 2010. Doing Your Research Project. Open University Press. ISBN 9780335235827

Creswell., J. W., 2014. Research design: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. 4th ed. London: SAGE