2018/19 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue
CIVE5455M Independent Research Project
60 creditsClass Size: 50
Module manager: Dr. Leon Black
Email: l.black@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: 1 Oct to 30 Sep (12mth) View Timetable
Year running 2018/19
Pre-requisite qualifications
Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or approved prior learning (certified or experiential)Pre-requisites
| CIVE5451M | Constituent Materials of Concrete |
| CIVE5452M | Cement and Concrete Properties |
| CIVE5453M | Testing, Quality Assurance, Repair and Maintenance of Concre |
| CIVE5454M | Concrete Production |
This module is not approved as an Elective
Module summary
This module represents a major element of the MSc programme and is aimed at enabling participants to learn skills in scientific investigation and in running and presenting an independent project. Students are required to submit a comprehensive dissertation describing their individual research work.Objectives
The aim of this module is to provide each student with an opportunity to carry out independent research on a contemporary topic that is relevant to the construction industry so that the scientific knowledge and understanding from the taught modules CIVE5451M to CIVE5454M could be applied in a more contextual situation and present the outcome of the research in a comprehensive technical report.Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module students will be able to:
• Define the subject matter of the dissertation and its relevance;
• Design, organise, justify and operate appropriate scheme to deliver required goal;
• Employ appropriate scientific/design principles;
• Conduct and validate appropriate experimental technique/simulation model;
• Search published sources if information to establish common knowledge and to develop ideas further;
• Discuss and analyse results and formulate coherent conclusions on the basis of work done;
• Present results/experimental evidence in an effective manner;
• Write a structured technical dissertation following a prescribed manner;
• Discuss and defend all aspects of work in interview;
• Demonstrate project, time and resource management skills.
Skills:
• Ability to plan, conduct, present and report a major independent research project of the built environment;
• Understand the risks/impacts of building and structural engineering work;
• Critically analyse, evaluate and interpret experimental data;
• Formulate and test concepts and hypotheses;
• Mark informed judgements on complex issues.
Skills outcomes
See above.
Syllabus
Topics in concrete and/or concrete constructions.
The module will include a number of lectures on ethical issues related to the themes of this module and overall programme of study.
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Tutorial | 30 | 1.00 | 30.00 |
| Independent online learning hours | 50.00 | ||
| Private study hours | 520.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 30.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 600.00 | ||
Private study
The project work involves independent learning of research methods, data analysis and testing hypothesis. As a result, there will be additional private study to supplement formally allocated/assigned project work time.Opportunities for Formative Feedback
The project will be allocated in July of Year 2 and each student will be required to submit three periodic reports before the submission of the final MSc dissertation. The first report will be required at the end of four weeks of starting the project for full time students and eight weeks for part-time students. This will be used to identify a project that can lead to a successful MSc dissertation and if appropriate resources have been identified and made available to continue the project. This will be followed by a second project report when the project has progressed through to the mid-way point and the third progress report is required when the project has reached 90% of completion. These will be reviewed by the supervisors (academic and industrial) in order to provide feedback and critical comments on the progress and the content of the independent research project.Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Report | Statistical Methods Coursework | 5.00 |
| Report | Research Proposal | 10.00 |
| Report | Aims & Objectives | 15.00 |
| Essay or Dissertation | 30,000 word dissertation | 70.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100.00 | |
To prepare students to carry out independent research project as part of this module, there will be a four day induction when the four taught modules will be reviewed and students will be introduced to Research Methods, Experimental Design and Statistical Tools required to analyse data. All UK and EU students are expected to attend this induction and overseas students will be encouraged to attend. The induction lectures will be recorded and made available to all students on the VLE.
Reading list
There is no reading list for this moduleLast updated: 07/07/2017
Browse Other Catalogues
- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
- Undergraduate programme catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
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