ECMM164 MSc Dissertation
MSc Programme Leads
• Martino Luis – Director of Education (PGT)
• Programme Directors:
• James Webber – Water Engineering
• Prakash Kripakaran – Civil Engineering, Civil Engineering & Management
• Julian Londono Monsalve – Mechanical Engineering
• Baris Yuce – Engineering Business Management
• Asela Kulatunga – International Supply Chain Management
• Alessandro Tombari – Construction Design Management
• Mohammad Akrami – Sustainable Engineering
• Shuhang Shen – Electrical Power and Smart Grids
Introduction
• The aim of the MSc dissertation is to provide students with the opportunity to undertake individual research of engineering nature at MSc level.
• The project proposal must be agreed with the assigned supervisor and submitted to your programme leader before a deadline set usually in January.
• The main body of the project will be completed until mid August when the dissertation will be submitted by the student for examination.
• Detailed requirements of the module are provided in the descriptor of the project module.
INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs)
• M1 – Apply a comprehensive knowledge of mathematics, statistics, natural science and engineering principles to the solution of complex problems. Much of the knowledge will be at the forefront of the particular subject of study and informed by a critical awareness of new developments and the wider context of engineering.
• M2 - Formulate and analyse complex problems to reach substantiated conclusions. This will involve evaluating available data using first principles of mathematics, statistics, natural science and engineering principles, and using engineering judgment to work with information that may be uncertain or incomplete, discussing the limitations of the techniques employed.
• M4 - Select and critically evaluate technical literature and other sources of information to solve complex problems.
• C15 - Apply knowledge of engineering management principles, commercial context, project and change management, and relevant legal matters including intellectual property rights.
• M17 - Communicate effectively on complex engineering matters with technical and non-technical audiences, evaluating the effectiveness of the methods used.
Project Requirements
• Focus on an engineering topic and combine technical and management approaches;
• Demonstrate:
✓ A deep and systematic understanding of the engineering knowledge;
✓ Comprehensive understanding of research techniques and methodologies;
✓ The ability to utilise critically the engineering knowledge;
✓ The ability to apply research techniques and methodologies with critical awareness;
✓ An analytical, systematic and creative approach to engineering problems;
✓ The ability to collect and analyse research data and to use appropriate engineering analysis tools;
✓ An understanding of sustainability and sustainable development;
✓ Independence and self-direction in problem solving and decision making;
✓ Exercise initiative and personal responsibility in professional practice;
✓ Effective communication skills using a variety of commonly available media and techniques.
Project Allocation
• Selection of five broad research themes of interest from a list circulated by the module leader
• Supervisors are then allocated to students based on research interests and available expertise
• Form. 1a- Broad Research Themes Selection form. (EBM and ISCM programmes)
• Form. 1b- Broad Research Themes Selection form. (Civil, Civil & Management, Mechanical, Construction Design Management, Sustainable, Electrical Power, and Water programmes)
• Some programme leaders may use online selection form.
Project Proposal and Preparation
• 1,500 words project proposal (max. 8 pages including figure captions and tables, and excluding cover page, table of contents, references and appendices, e.g., questionnaires, interview questions and the ethics application pack) on the specific topic agreed with your supervisor
• The project proposal is expected to include:
✓ A brief background and description to project;
✓ Research project’s aim and objectives;
✓ The proposed methodology;
✓ The design of the research process (including Gantt chart)
✓ Descriptions of the preliminary work which has already been carried out
✓ Descriptions of the planned work
• Form. 2 - MSc project proposal template
Compliance, Governance and Risk
• You must consider whether or not your project requires ethical approval
• Q: When does research require ethical review?
• A: If research (at any level) involves one of the following, it will normally require ethical review:
✓ Research involving human participants, or the use of material derived from human participants (this includes questionnaires and interviews)
✓ Research involving the use of any personal data
✓ Research involving animals is not allowed in this module
✓ Research that has the potential to raise social issues or have any environmental impact