IY4T705 - MSc Project 01 Jul 2022 - 30 Aug 2030 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: IY4T705
Module Title: MSc Project
Faculty: Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science
Faculty Group: Computing and Mathematics
Faculty Sub Group: Cyber Security
Module Leader: Mamoun Qasem
Module Team: Sharan Johnstone, Rachael Medhurst, Richard Ward, Beth Jenkins, Peter Eden, Andrew Bellamy, Christopher Manley, Madhu Khurana, Emma Derbi, Joshua Richards, Beth Jenkins, Arun Kumar, Nisha Rawindaran, Christopher Tubb, Chelsea Cooper
First Intended Intake: SEP 2024 Final Year of Intake: 2029
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 60 Credit Level: 7
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100088 - leadership 100376 - computer and information security 100962 - research skills 101040 - risk management
HECOS Code Weighting: 10 40 25 25

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Jul 2022
Valid To 30 Aug 2030

Module Aims

To provide the opportunity for students to employ autonomy and originality in the application of their computing award and research skills to a complex problem. To provide an opportunity for the student to investigate a topical, award relevant issue of their choice in some depth. To produce a justified solution to a significant problem that is informed by a critical review of research. To further develop the student's investigative, research, writing and presentation skills as a self-directed, autonomous learner.

Content Summary

The core of the project will be an ‘implementation’ typically taking one of the following forms:

• The design and creation of a piece of software, software testing and user testing where appropriate.
• The design and execution of an experiment and an analysis of the experimental results.
• The design and execution of a primary data gathering activity and an analysis of the data.
• The production of a policy or strategy document for a specific context and evaluation by relevant stakeholders.

All projects will include a literature review and an appropriate evaluation of the ‘implementation’.
In general, a successful MSc project should demonstrate the following features:

• The project topic must be within context of the particular MSc award for which a student is enrolled.
• The project will show a mastery of a topic area requiring the integration of the award within an application area.
• Relevant literature has been identified; the issues analysed, discussed and referenced.
• Legal and ethical issues have been identified, considered and handled appropriately.
• The problem solved is of the appropriate order of complexity.
• The problem is analysed in sufficient detail and design decisions are clearly elaborated.
• Conclusions are reached and defended with evidence.
• The decisions made in the project (for example design decisions, decisions about software tools, decisions about methods, decisions relating to implementation) have been described and justified.
• The dissertation is coherent and clearly presented.
• The completed work is compared and contrasted with previous work in the field.
• The project is critically appraised and has been reflected upon.
• The main arguments of the project are presented, critiqued and defended orally.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 6
Project supervision 8
Independent Study 577
Formative Assessment - Scheduled 1
Problem / challenge based learning 2
Practical Classes and Workshops 6
Total Hours Selected 600

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Specify project aim and objectives related to a topic within Cyber Security, and a plan to achieve them.
LO2 Apply critical research and investigation skills and analyse the outcomes.
LO3 Use and document appropriate analysis, design, implementation and evaluation methods to realise the project specification.
LO4 Critically reflect on the success or otherwise of the work and demonstrate what has been learnt during the process.
LO5 Present, critique and defend the methods and outcomes of the Cyber Security project.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Dissertation / Major Project 1 Dissertation and Oral Assessment 5 18000 100 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Dissertation / Major Project 1

Reading List

Essential background reading. Students will be guided when a topic is finalised. 

Berndtsson, M., Hansson, J., Olsson, B. and Lundell, B., (2007), Thesis Projects: A Guide for Students in Computer Science and Information Systems. Springer.

Bors, D. (2018). Data Analysis for Social Sciences: Integrating Theory and Practice. London: SAGE Publications Ltd

Cornford, T. and Smithson, S., (2005), Project Research in Information Systems: A Student's Guide. Palgrave Macmillan.

Dawson, C., (2015), Projects in Computing and Information Systems: A Student's Guide. Addison Wesley.

Oates, B.J., Griffiths, M. and McLean, R. (2022), Researching Information Systems and Computing. Sage Publications Ltd.

Wincup, E. (2017). Criminological Research: Understanding Qualitative Research Methods. 2nd ed. London: SAGE Publications Ltd.

Weaver, P., (2003), Success in Your Project: A Guide to Student System Development Projects. Financial Times / Prentice Hall.

Zobel, J., (2015), Writing for Computer Science. Springer