This module will cover topics of:

Key project approach factors
- Research approaches and models used to develop projects
- Project proposal specification planning
- Methods and skills of critical literature review
- Selecting and using appropriate technologies available (e.g., library, digital library, Internet facilities and other sources)
- Gathering data from a range of primary sources, including experimental programming
- Techniques for testing project artefacts
- Techniques to analyse data and to present the results in a suitable format
- Critical evaluation of project outcomes
- Critical reflection on one’s performance in the project
- Course-specific guidelines for the individual project
- Project planning and management
- Accessibility and inclusion related to the requirements, design, and implementation of artefacts
- Examination of social, ethical, and employment impacts of emerging technologies and inclusivity
- Documentation of environmental and sustainability issues in relation to computing projects (and emerging technologies) including sustainable software engineering practices, green computing, energy-efficient architectures, ethical AI/system design, full lifecycle thinking and responsible infrastructure design considerations
- Identification of user needs and requirements
- Project costing and financial factors

Enterprise and Entrepreneurship
- Professional computing practice and industry standards
- Enterprise and business opportunities within computing
- Entrepreneurship and innovation within the computing discipline
- Commercial development and exploitation of ideas
- Employability issues and factors

Simulation and its value for realising requirements and solutions in artefacts

Health and safety

Legal, ethical, professional, sustainability, and social issues

BCS / TechSkills / Employability elements:

A full system modelling process will have taken place
Enterprise and Entrepreneurship issues associated to projects
Commercial and business issues must be considered in full and evaluated
Economic and efficiencies of the project must be considered in depth
Full documented management and planning must have taken place
Security principles need consideration within the artefact solution
Full evaluation of the artefact must have taken place
Legal, social, ethical and professional issues must be considered throughout the project
Problem solving and solution exploration will be extensively completed
Sustainability issues must be considered and documented

REPORT - Project proposal - During the inception phase of the project you will work with your supervisor to develop an idea into a suitable proposal. Once completed and approved by the Course Leader you will then develop your ideas through research toward an analysis of the problem domain. You will present your findings in a review (see below). To aid you, you will be provided with an exemplar proposal at the start of the module.

PRESENTATION - Mid-Point Review – A Mid-point review is a one-to-one informal but assessed interview with your assessor to discuss the project progress and projected direction at the completion of the research stage of the project. You will need to show your project plan, literature review, and design work completed to this stage in time.

REPORT - Final Report - Model, create and document an artefact that is relevant to your course of study and that extends and applies the solution to the problem set out in your proposal. Write a report describing the technical aspects of the project’s model and artefact, the processes involved in the performance of the project, and critically reflect on the project’s findings and outcomes. The report should conform to prescribed standards of referencing.

PRESENTATION - Viva Presentation - A presentation and demonstration of the technical aspects of the project, including a demonstration of the artefact and a critical evaluation of the project outcomes. This enables you to demonstrate clearly your achievement, and for your supervisor and assessor to ask questions. The presentation is the final assessed component which will enable you to reflect on the approaches and successes of the entire project process and end solution. In terms of time the presentation/demonstration lasts 40-minutes with 10-minutes of questions.

Formative feedback will address all of the four assessments. Working with your supervisor they will regularly provide support and guidance as to your progressing work. You should provide three drafts to your supervisor for review of your dissertations progress, as well as your slides for your presentation for review in advance of this taking place.

An important part of the learning strategy is direct one-to-one supervision of your project by a supervisor Most of your time will be spent in self-managed learning. The independent learning for this module will include your keeping of a logbook, which will encourage you to reflect about the problems you are meeting and the ways in which you are solving them. You will prepare for and conduct business-like meetings with your supervisor and communicate clearly and effectively with them. An important part of your learning will take place in direct discussion with your supervisor. During the development of your project there will be opportunities made available for you to show and get formative feedback on your progress.

Additionally, there are a series of lectures which cover the process and best practices you will need to be successful in your project. These sessions will aid you to develop associated research skills, project management skills, and technical skills related to artefact creation.

1. Utilise established research techniques and sources to create or interpret and reflect on knowledge at the forefront of technology in the chosen field of study.

Knowledge & Understanding
Reflection

2. Demonstrate self-direction, planning, reflection, and originality in completing an advanced level computing research project.

Reflection
Digital Literacy

3. Demonstrate a professional approach to practical problem resolution, including analysis, design and implementation, critical reasoning, based on a logical, scientific and well-engineered methodology (in both team and individual contexts).

Application and Problem Solving
Critical Reasoning & Collaboration

4. Show the absorption, critical evaluation and extension of existing knowledge in the chosen field of study and the development of new skills and understanding in relation to emerging technologies.

Communication
Research Skills

5. Act in an ethically responsible manner, fully in compliance with professional codes of conduct taking into account global and environmental issues in solution development, and be able to identify entrepreneurship opportunity.

Personal Development & Entrepreneurship

As determined by the chosen project

Newton, R. (2024), Project Management Step by Step: How to Plan and Manage a Highly Successful Project, Pearson Education

Sternad, D. and Power, H. (2023), The Thesis Writing Survival Guide: Research and Write an Academic Thesis or Dissertation with Less Stress: Research and Write an Academic Thesis with Less Stress, Econcise Publisher

Lester, J. D. (2025), Writing Research Papers: A Complete Guide, Global Edition, Pearson

Siochrú, C, Ó. (2022), A Student Guide to Writing Research Reports, Papers, Theses and Dissertations, Routledge

Murray, R. (2025), How to Write a Thesis, Open University Press

This is your opportunity to create something totally unique as the culmination of your course. It is your chance to define your difference; no two dissertations are ever the same.

You will begin by developing an idea into a proposal, outlining the intention of the work. You will then develop this into an artefact suitable for your course, such as a piece of software, a specification or a code of practice by undertaking rigorous, professional academic research techniques and applying the summation of your knowledge and skills from your course, work experience, if possible, and personal development. All this work will be presented in a professionally produced, academic report detailing your findings and reflections on your achievement.