Module Identifier RD25520  
Module Title PROJECT  
Academic Year 2003/2004  
Co-ordinator Dr Graham P Harris  
Semester Semester 2 (Taught over 2 semesters)  
Other staff Dr Iwan G Owen, Professor Richard J Moore-Colyer  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Assessment Major Project: Outcomes assessed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.  100%
Supplementary Assessment Candidates will be required to re-present an amended project  100%

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Outcome 1

Design a suitable project using a technical report format.

Performance criteria:
a. The subject is analysed in suitable sub-sections in relation to the project title.
b. The format for the submission of the project is followed.

Ranges:
Dependent on subject area.
Suitable sub-sections: title page, summary, acknowledgements, table of contents, introduction, review of literature,
materials and methods (if applicable), results (if applicable), discussion, conclusions, recommendations, appendices,
bibliography.
Format: 60 pages maximum length excluding material other than text
Typed and bound
3 copies.

Outcome 2
Present an introduction and reasons for studying the subject area.
Performance criteria:
a. The general introduction to the subject provides a background to the topic studied.
b. The significance and context of the subject area within the industry is stated.
c. The aims of the project are presented.
d. The limitations of the project/scope of study are identified and presented.
Ranges:
Dependent on subject area.

Outcome 3
Undertake a review of literature.
Performance criteria:
a. Relevant information is selected and included in the review.
b. A range of information sources covering the scope of the subject is presented.
c. Information is compiled, selected, interpreted and summarised in the student''s own words.
d. Reference to published material is cited appropriately in the text.
Ranges:
Dependent on subject area.
Information Sources: books, journal articles, press, personal communications, other
published material, results from investigations (where applicable).
Reference citation: Harvard system.

Outcome 4
Use appropriate methodology (if applicable).
Performance criteria:
a. The methodology is presented and could be repeated by other workers.
b. A suitable/correct methodology is employed within the project.
c. Details of equipment/survey technique used are recorded.
Ranges:
Suitable/correct methodology: dependent on subject area.
Equipment/survey technique: dependent on subject area.
Metric system of measurement.

Outcome 5
Record, analyse, and present results (if applicable).
Performance criteria:
a. Results are presented unambigously.
b. Results are presented with a brief text highlighting the important points from the
   data.
c. Suitable statistical analysis is identified and applied to the data when necessary.
Ranges:
Dependent on subject area.

Outcome 6
Assess and evaluate information and data presented in the review of literature and/or
methodology and results sections.
Performance criteria:
a. A critical and technical appraisal of the information gathered is presented. Project
   results are evaluated with reference to other results in published literature, where
   applicable.
b. Relevant information is interpreted and discussed without bias.
c, Conclusions are identified and presented (from a valid inter-pretation of own
   results where applicable).
Ranges:
Dependent on subject area.

Outcome 7
Present recommendations for future work/guidelines.
Performance criteria:
a. Recommendations resulting from the study are presented.
b. Suitable guidelines or recommendations for future work, with reasoning, are
   identified and presented.
c. An awareness of the limitation(s) of the study is demonstrated.
Ranges
Dependent on subject area.
Common Skills and competencies assessed (where applicable to individual
projects)
Managing and Developing Self
Competence 2 - Manage own roles and responsibilities.
Competence 4 - Transfer skills gained to new and changing situations and contexts.
Working with and relating to others
Competence 6 - Relate to and interact effectiively with individuals and groups.
Communicating
Competence 8 - Receive and response to a variety of information
Competence 9 - Present information in a variety of visual forms
Competence 10 - Communicate in writing
Competence 11 - Participate in oral and non-verbal communication
Managing tasks and solving problems
Competence 12 - Use information
Competence 13 - Deal with a combination of routine and non-routine tasks.
Competence 14 - Identify and solve routine and non-routine tasks.
Applying design and creativity
Competence 17 - Apply a range of skills and techniques to develop a variety of ideas in
   the creation of new/modified products, services and situation.
Competence 18 - Use a range of thought processes.

Brief description

The project module involves the student in technical report writing and detailed research of specific subject areas. The discipline and thoroughness of the process is an essential skill for all HND students.

The final year project will take the form of an investigational study (trial, experiment or survey) or an extended case study/feasibility study into a particular problem or subject area. It will require the investigation and evaluation of a precise problem/subject area by
means of information retrieval from various sources. An investigational project will require the design of systems of analysis, and evaluation of experimental data collected from trials, experiments, surveys or case studies.

The project will be submitted as a technical report. It will cross link and integrate information and skills acquired in several course modules. The project will develop skills in organisation, information retrieval, technical report writing, evaluation and
interpretation of data from different sources, problem tackling, decision making, and formulating conclusions and recommendations.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5