PROJ08012 2019 Final Year Project

Research the underlying science and engineering behind a particular aspect of civil engineering 

Analyse from first principles a particular problem or application relating to civil engineering

Design and execute an experimental study, case study, design study, computer program or analysis method to
investigate a civil engineering problem

Gather and interpret appropriate data from an experimental study, case study, design study, computer program or
analysis method, and where appropriate develop mathematical models

Compare data gathered during the project with values quoted in the technical literature

Identify the impacts of a course of action on the environment and community, with due reference to sustainability  

Research a particular topic in civil engineering, through individual work, while interacting with a supervisor 

Use search engines, technical databases and engineering journals to identify information on a particular aspect of civil
engineering

Work and report directly to a supervisor, seek advice, and take and implement instructions

Compile and report in a clear and concise manner a review of relevant literature, the findings and results of laboratory
work, case studies, surveys and design studies

This module shall commence in the first semester of the final stage of the programme. There will be one hour per week of lectures in applied research methods in the first semester. The learner shall be allocated a project and supervisor in the first semester and project planning, literature review and methodology selection shall take place in the first semester. In the second semester the main research methodologies shall be undertaken and results compiled and reported. An interim oral presentation and final poster shall be used to communicate the research findings.

The production of the final thesis report shall be carried out by the learner with the guidance of the supervisor and project guidelines.

The assessment strategy is based on continuous assessment modes throughout both semesters of the final stage. However all other assessments will be completed during the final semester of the programme as follows:

Interim Presentation at Research Seminar 10%  Week 4 Supervisor and 2nd Marker

Continuous Assessment Semester 1 and 2 Stage 4  15% on-going Supervisor

Final Report Technical Content: 30% Supervisor and 2nd Marker

Final Report Validity of Findings and Conclusions: 20% Supervisor and 2nd Marker

Final Report Quality of Report Writing and Presentation: 20% Supervisor and 2nd marker

Research Poster at End of Year Exhibition: 5%  Supervisor and Exhibition Panel

The learner must repeat the Final Year Project in full or revise the submitted thesis depending on the scale and level of the failed elements, so that an overall mark of 40% is achieved.

Normally the learner shall select a new project topic and title if the module must be repeated in full.

The project assigned may involve the learner in theoretical research, civil engineering design, laboratory analysis and investigation of civil engineering issues related to the project. This will include the collection of appropriate data and other information necessary to understand the background to the project and to carry it out successfully. The project will be a minor thesis supervised by an academic staff member and should involve a significant amount of civil engineering design work, data collection, mathematical modelling, experimental studies or case studies critically analysed to an appropriate standard.
Project guidelines relating to the written specification and submission requirements of the final report, and the detailed method of assessment will be issued to learners at the commencement of the study.

The project assigned to the learner shall be taken from a list prepared (at the beginning of the first semester) of projects proposed by supervisors. Learners indicate their preferred projects by completing a form, ranking project titles 1 −5, and by submitting the form to the Project Co−ordinator. Projects are then allocated to learners with reference to learner preferences and staff supervision allocation. Academic staff members supervise the projects. In some cases a proposed work project may be suggested by the learner but must be sanctioned by the supervisor.

The supervising staff member shall provide the learner with a brief in a standardised format within three
weeks of the commencement of project, following consultation with the learner and the completion, by the learner, of some preliminary literature review or other research work, if required. The supervising staff member will ensure that the learner carries out the project work on his or her own. There may be reference to prior or ongoing work, including research, in the same field by local authorities, industry private companies or educational institutions, either locally or elsewhere.
If the work is connected with an external body, such as a local authority, supervision of the work may in part be allocated to an officer of that body, but it is essential that a staff member shall be familiar with all aspects of the project and shall ultimately be responsible for its assessment.
The project should have distinct objectives and require a thorough investigation by the learner, the extent of the investigation being related to the degree of difficulty and the time span allocated to the project.