2019/20 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue
CIVE5455M Independent Research Project
60 creditsClass Size: 50
Module manager: Professor Leon Black
Email: l.black@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: 1 Sep to 30 Sept (13mth) View Timetable
Year running 2019/20
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 schemes to deliver required goal;
• Employ appropriate scientific/design principles;
• Conduct and validate appropriate experimental technique/simulation models;
• Search published sources if information to establish common knowledge and to develop ideas further;
• Critically analyse data and place it in context
• Discuss and analyse results and formulate coherent conclusions on the basis of work done;
• Communicate technical information to a non-expert audience
• 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;
• Make informed judgements on complex issues.
Skills outcomes
See above.
Syllabus
• Topics in concrete and/or concrete constructions.
• Design of experiments
• Statistical methods pertinent to concrete technology
• What is research?
• How to conduct a research project?
• Research ethics
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 is often self-defined, withinput from School staff. Titles are discussed during the project induction in September and confirmed ahead of the submission of the research proposal. Students then have one structured piece of coursework concerning experimental design and statistical methods before submitting three further pieces of assessment, including the final MSc dissertation. The first report is submitted in December, with feedback just after Christmas. 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 submission of aims and objectives. These will be reviewed by the supervisors in order to provide feedback and critical comments on the progress and the content of the independent research project. Supervisors also maintain contact with students throughout the year, respond to queries and provide feedback on drafts of the dissertation.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. Resit: 100% Dissertation.
Reading list
There is no reading list for this moduleLast updated: 29/11/2019
Browse Other Catalogues
- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
- Undergraduate programme catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
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