- Formulation and scheduling of an advanced level research project at the forefront of the chosen Engineering related discipline. The technical level of the research project will be similar to that required for acceptance and presentation at a national technical conference.
- Autonomous execution of the chosen research project with minimal supervision, using established research techniques.
- Formulation of a comprehensive MSc thesis describing the research work. Presentation of the research work to an audience of specialist and non-specialist professional engineers. Defence of the research work in front of a panel of specialist professional engineers.

The supervisor will work with the students to develop a 'contract' with each learner in terms of what support is available, preferred contact methods and times. They will provide contact telephones numbers (with international dialling codes), times when they are available (expressed as GMT) and expected response times. These early induction sessions should also be used to test all routes of communication including those that will be used during any later assessment sessions.

The project will include the following areas of study:
- Information gathering to identify all relevant previous work underpinning the proposed project. This includes discussions with supervisor(s) and with other experts as appropriate and also self-directed learning using available library and web facilities.
- Critical evaluation and discussion with supervisor(s) of the relevant previous work to clearly establish the foundation on which the proposed project will build.
- Critical evaluation of the composition and layout of high quality research papers in the field of study to establish the appropriate writing style and the clarity of communication required in advanced level reporting of the research work undertaken.
- Technical discussions with relevant experts within the University and also in Industry if appropriate.
- Application of existing advanced research techniques as appropriate. Examples include (1) development and application of numerical and analytical methods, (2) design of real or virtual experimental apparatus and (3) application of data acquisition and data reduction techniques, as required for the successful and timely completion of the project work.
- Report writing, preparation of oral presentation, and oral presentation of report content, all at a professional level similar to that required for presentation at a national teaching conference.

You will need to provide your own resources for this module, including PC with broadband internet access of a suitable connection speed (2+ MBPS recommended), Skype (requiring microphone and webcam) and relevant legal software for your chosen project. No remote technical support can be provided so it is important that you feel confident with the IT technologies being used. Although the supervisor will be considerate of communication difficulties a student's lack of technical competence cannot be used as the basis for a claim for extenuating circumstances. As a student of the University you will still have access to student licences (either free or reduced cost) where these are made available by software companies. The software including internet browser and Skype must be at a release level compatible with University systems. Be aware that this is not always the latest released version. Since Skype will be used for internet calls there should be no cost incurred in any calls.

All 7 taught modules of the award or equivalent.

1) The technical content of the MSc thesis. This will assess aspects of Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8.
2) The clarity of the MSc thesis. This will assess aspects of learning outcomes 1 to 8.
3) The layout of the MSc thesis. This will assess aspects of learning outcomes 6 and 8.
4) The content of the oral presentation of the project work to a panel of professional engineers. This will asses aspects of learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8.
5) The clarity of the oral presentation of the project work to a panel of professional engineers. This will assess aspects of learning outcomes 1 to 8.
6) The layout of the oral presentation of the project work to a panel of professional engineers. This will assess aspects of learning outcomes 6 and 8.
7) The ability to defend the project work in front of a panel of professional engineers. This will assess aspects of learning outcomes 1 to 8.
The recommended approximate length of the thesis is 12,000 words of main text.
100% in-class assessment is in effect as follows:
MSc thesis technical content, clarity and layout: 70%
Oral Presentation and oral defence of project work: 30%.

Relevant texts to be identified by student and supervisor.