| Module Code | CSU44097 |
| Module Name | Project Methods |
| ECTS Weighting [1] | 5 ECTS |
| Semester Taught | Semester 1 |
| Module Coordinator/s | Tim Savage |
Module Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
- Communicate effectively in technical and scientific writing, and present scientific/technical ideas concisely to a technical audience that may not be expert in the specific domain of the project;
- Manage workflow and task scheduling within the constraints of the resources available to meet specific design goals and deadlines;
- Independently locate & assess potential research sources and evaluate those sources for their relevance to a practical computer science problem, application or topic;
- Propose methods of testing and evaluation;
- Examine and discuss the impact of specific technology on society, giving consideration to ethical norms and standards.
Module Content
Large scale projects are an essential component of work in computer science. This module aims to provide exposure to a range of methods and concepts which are essential to most large academic & industry projects. To achieve these aims the module content will include:
- Project Planning;
- Planning a Project Report;
- Communication and Presenting;
- Library Skills;
- Literature Review;
- Professional/Academic Writing;
- Evaluating and Presenting Results;
- Ethics and Innovation;
- Gender, Race, and Inclusion in Research.
Teaching and Learning Methods
The teaching and learning methods include lectures, workshops and a range of online activities. There will be a focus on authentic activities relevant to the student’s own areas of interest.
Assessment Details
| Assessment Component | Brief Description | Learning Outcomes Addressed | % of Total | Week Set | Week Due |
| MCQ Exam | Supervised 1 hour exam. | 1,2,3,4,5 | 20% | N/A | N/A |
| Research Ethics Essay | An essay of 500 words that explains to a lay-person how Computer Science research can perpetuate inequality and bias. Include 3 academic references. | 1,5 | 40% | N/A | N/A |
| A Project Presentation | A 5-minute video of a Project Presentation using provided slide titles. The project presented should be one that has been worked on as part of your second or third year studies in SCSS. | 1,3,4 | 40% | N/A | N/A |
Reassessment Details
Resubmission of failed coursework. Supplemental MCQ examination for those who failed the original MCQ exam.
Contact Hours and Indicative Student Workload
| Contact Hours (scheduled hours per student over full module), broken down by: | 33 hours |
| Lecture | 22 hours |
| Tutorial or seminar | 11 hours |
| Independent Study (outside scheduled contact hours), broken down by: | 70 hours |
| Preparation for classes and review of material (including preparation for examination, if applicable) | 20 hours |
| Completion of assessments (including examination, if applicable) | 50 hours |
| Total Hours | 103 hours |
Recommended Reading List
- “How to Write a Thesis” by Umberto Eco.
Module Pre-requisites
Prerequisite modules: N/A
Other/alternative non-module prerequisites: N/A
Module Co-requisites
N/A