A typical dissertation requires you to:
Develop a plan including for the project milestones, deliverables and development schedule.
Gather information identifying appropriate relevant previous work underpinning the proposed topic including discussions with supervisor.
Critically evaluate the relevant previous work to clearly establish the foundation on which the proposed dissertation will build.
Critically evaluate the composition, structure and layout of high quality research papers in the field of study to establish the appropriate writing style and the clarity of communication which is required in advanced level reporting of the proposed research.
Participate, record and reflect upon technical discussions with, where possible, relevant experts and specialists in award field within industry and/or the Faculty.
Apply existing research techniques, numerical analysis methods, experimental techniques etc as required for the successful and timely completion of an advanced level research project.
Write a report and orally present the report content, at a professional level similar to that expected at a national technical conference. This may also include reviews of reports / presentations produced by previous students whose work is relevant to the dissertation topic.
For students studying the dissertation registered on an award delivered in `e-learning modeż it is expected that student and supervisor will be in weekly contact over the 24 week completion of the dissertation. This will typically involve the student emailing their weekly progress to the tutor three days in advance of a half hour supervision meeting that can be held face-to-face, on the telephone, or email.

DISSERTATION is assessed firstly by a mid-point oral progress review with the second assessor weighted at 10% and the final written submission of 12,000 words weighted at 70%.

A final VIVA VOCE consisting of a presentation and defence of the dissertation and associated deliverables weighted at 20%.

Assessing Learning outcomes 1-6 via:
1. The technical content and the clarity and layout of the submitted dissertation.
2. The content, layout and clarity of the oral presentation of the dissertation to the supervisor and second assessor.
3. Your ability to defend the dissertation contents and any relevant background material.

Software and hardware appropriate to the chosen dissertation together with standard computing facilities.

Enrolment on an applicable MSc offered by the Faculty Computer Science or Applied Computing Programme Area.

This is a major piece of work to be carried out on an individual basis. You are expected to highlight three separate strands during your work on the dissertation: understanding, application and presentation. The first part will demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the subject domain. The second part will allow you to demonstrate your abilities through investigation of a suitable problem and the application of appropriate knowledge and skills in providing solutions. Finally you will be expected to present your findings and dissertation deliverables in a manner appropriate to your award requirements.
The major aim of the dissertation is to allow you to extend and unify your understanding of the chosen subject as developed in underlying modules. The production of the dissertation is supported by an academic supervisor, who will help you develop your ideas.
The dissertation will focus on a particular topic within a field relevant to your award (for example, Computing, Forensic Computing, Web, Games, Mobile or Multimedia, etc.). This will involve a critical study of recent developments in the field and will culminate in the creation of a deliverable, which may take the form of a software product, a design document (including rigorous specification), framework, or guidelines, in addition to the report.
Before commencing the dissertation you are expected to produce a dissertation proposal for approval by your supervisor. A typical dissertation proposal will consist of a feasibility study, risk assessment, plan of work, a clearly defined set of aims and objectives, resource requirements (including relevant texts, journals and electronic sources). At the same time as completing the proposal you will also complete an `Academic Ethical Approval' form in order that the Faculty Ethical Committee can validate that you have considered the ethical aspects of the dissertation (e.g. considered users and testing issues).
A typical dissertation deliverable may be:
Software product - Prototype of a suitable software application, interface or tool.
Design document or specification - A suitable document to include planning, modelling, implementation and testing recommendations together with a rigorous specification.
Framework - Document detailing research into method, components / approach, tools or testing and taken to the production of a small prototype.
Guidelines - Set of recommendations based upon relevant research, developed theorem and models which have undergone some form of trial or testing process.
On commencing the dissertation students will be given a handbook that details dissertation content, layout/presentation issues, and other areas such as the role of the dissertation supervisor and second assessor.

Research papers and standard textbooks appropriate to the area of study.