代写CIV6000 – Advanced Engineering Research Study 2023-2024
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Academic Year 2023-2024
CIV6000 – Advanced Engineering Research Study
MSc Dissertation HANDBOOK
October 2023
The module CIV6000 - “Advanced Engineering Research Study” represents a major element of the Master of Science (MSc) programme and aims at enabling participants to learn skills in scientific investigation and in running and presenting a project.
During Semester 1, each student will be assigned a supervisor and a dissertation topic, on which they will work throughout the year and full-time from June through August. Students will have to maintain regular contact with their supervisor to ensure satisfactory progress of the work.
CIV6000 stems from the “Professional and Research Skills” (CIV61005) module component, which is carried out during Semester 1 and the first part of Semester 2. As a part of the CIV61005 coursework, students will develop a plan for the work they will carry out for CIV6000 during the summer.
At the end of the CIV6000 module, students are required to submit a comprehensive report, or dissertation, describing to a very high standard the individual work that they have done during the summer semester. The assessment of the report will be made after an oral interview taking place in late August or early September 2024. The report and the interview assessments will count for 95% and 5% of the mark, respectively. Attendance at the interview is compulsory, and the module is failed if the interview is missed.
This document contains detailed information regarding the requirements for production of the dissertation document, along with additional general advice. Further details on relevant issues, such as plagiarism, will be covered in CIV61005. Students need to be familiar with the points presented in this document, as well as the module assessment criteria, which are provided in Appendix A.
CIV6000 is formally an all-semesters module, but most of the research study will be conducted during the summer. Students must be aware that 10 credits should be equivalent to 100 hours work, so they should expect to spend around 600 hours working on their dissertation project.
CIV6000 is intrinsically connected to the CIV61005 module running in Semester 1, as the research proposal forms a main coursework element of CIV61005. Students are strongly advised to discuss their proposed project time planning with their supervisor at an early meeting. This is to ensure supervisors are aware of such planning, so that restrictions to students and supervisors’ availability for meetings can be discussed and mutually agreed early on.
Students must be aware they are responsible for organising meetings with their supervisor and to be prepared for those meetings. It is unlikely they will be able to receive useful feedback between meetings. This requires making progress on their project between meetings.
Different students and projects will require different amounts of time with their supervisor. Typically, students will meet once a fortnight although this may vary depending on the project, with some meeting more frequently at key points. At an absolute minimum, students must meet their supervisor three times per semester. Any student struggling to meet with their supervisor should contact the Student Support Office.
At the start of Semester 1, students will have the chance to express their preferences on the dissertation topic from a large list of titles and project descriptions outlined by academic staff. The allocated dissertation topic will be based on such choices and will be released by Week 7 of Semester 1.
Students have the option to self-propose a project. Self-Proposed Projects require the submission of an ‘Expression of Interest’ (EOI) for consideration. Students on scholarships
are required to propose their own project if their scholarship requires them to work on a specific dissertation area. If such an option is not taken, they may end up being allocated a project that does not meet their scholarship requirements.
Submitting an EOI does not exempt students from expressing their preferences from the dissertation topic list, as there is no guarantee that a self-proposed project is accepted. Project preferences will be disregarded only if an EOI is accepted.
The EOI form for self-proposing is posted at:https://forms.gle/Xfs75UNCbpBSaZxV6
and needs to be submitted by Monday of Week 5 (9am, 23 October 2023) A self-proposed project will be considered against the following points:
1. Will the project allow the student to meet all the learning outcomes for the dissertation? It is important that a self-proposed project honours the key criteria based on which it will be marked, to ensure no disadvantage for the student.
2. Does the Department have the technical skills to supervise the student appropriately?
3. Does the Department have the facilities needed by the student to carry out the project. A self-proposed project EOI will include:
□ Brief Project Description (not exceeding 400 words)
□ Subject area (Geo, Water, Structures, or Other if this area is unknown)
□ Suggested Supervisor. Students should look up the department research web pages and the staff pages to identify a potential project supervisor. Potential supervisors
should be contacted in advance of the EOI submission.
□ Lab time: if this is necessary, students need to provide a rough estimate of the amount of lab time required by the project.
□ Health and Safety implications
Students should consider the following points when writing the Project Description:
1. Aims
Concise explanation of what the student hopes to achieve at the end of the project.
2. Introduction (or Background)
Description of the context or broader setting of the project, and why that is important. Indicate broad details of the project rationale (motivation), the problems/issues being addressed, the critical need for investigation, the nature and the purpose of research. The basic questions to be addressed are: why is such research needed, and what is being done in it?
3. Methodology
Broad overview of the research objectives. Description of approach taken to achieve them (e.g., simulation, experimental or theoretical?), with some details on the need and suitability of it.
5. Lab resources
Description of experimental work, if applicable (equipment, materials, lab time)
6. Health and Safety Issues
While an actual formal health and safety risk assessment will be completed in due course, the student needs to merely demonstrate awareness of relevant Health and Safety issues and advance a plan to address them.
7. Indicative references
List of References for sources of information cited in the text.
NOTE: At this stage, the description in the methodology section of the EOI form. can be very brief (it will be finalised later). It is however very important to provide an estimate of the hours required for laboratory support, if needed, which the student should discuss in advance with their potential supervisor.
In the module CIV61005-Professional and Research Skills, which starts in Week 1 of Semester 1, students will develop a dissertation research proposal under the guidance of their dissertation supervisor. While this proposal is due in Week 2 of Semester 2, students are expected to work regularly during Semester 1, as soon as their dissertation title is assigned.
The goal of the proposal is to lay out a feasible working plan for their allocated CIV6000 project work and receive early formative feedback from the supervisor. Supervisors will provide their feedback within two-three weeks after the submission deadline. The assessed work is expected to be a concise summary of the student proposed plan for Semester 2 and the summer. Experience suggests that the more the initial planning the less the stress student experience later when the CIV6000 study is conducted.
The proposal will consist of a word-processed report, not exceed 1500 words as specified in Section 4. Such a document must be formatted on A4 paper with at least 2 cm margins, and Arial font 11. Such a document will be submitted electronically via Turnitin by the deadlines given in Table 1. A proposal template is provided in Section 4. The research proposal assessment criteria are given in Section 3.
Table 1. CIV61005 Important dates
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Modules |
Proposal submission deadline |
Supervisor marking/ feedback |
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CIV61005 CIV6000-03-05 |
Semester 2 – Week 2 9AM Wednesday 14/02/2024 |
Semester 2 - Week 5 Friday 08/03/2024 |
3.1. CIV61005 Activities and Feedback
Students should be prepared to do the following activities with their supervisor within the time frame. shown.
Initial Meeting (Semester 1, Weeks 8–9). Students will meet with their supervisor to start a discussion about the project they have selected and identify potential research ideas they would like to develop.
Background and Literature Review (Semester 1, Week 12). Students will meet with their supervisor to look at work on the Background and literature review for their proposal so far. They should provide a structure for their sections highlighting the areas they will cover and evidence of the literature they are reviewing. Some of the literature review should be written up fully, but it is not expected to be in the final version.
Draft proposal review (by Semester 2, Week 1). Students will meet with their supervisor, who will look through their proposal briefly and provide them with key points for improvement. However, the supervisor will not be able to proof-read the whole draft and the student should be prepared with questions about key areas on which they feel advice is needed. To get this feedback, students must arrange to meet their supervisor before the end of Week 1 of semester 2. Supervisors might not be available to see the students in the same week when the proposal is due.
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IMPORTANT NOTE: the student-supervisor meetings are not timetabled! Students are responsible for liaising well in advance with their supervisor to set up a time and a location for these activities. |
The proposal will be assessed by the supervisor according to the following seven criteria:
I. Clarity of the research question.
II. Aims and objectives are appropriate and clearly stated.
III. Sufficient awareness of project context and rationale relevance.
IV. Appropriate awareness and understanding of the relevant literature.
V. The methodology, methods, and research design are understood and appropriate for the proposed study.
VI. Health and safety matters have been considered in sufficient depth that there is a reasonable basis to suggest the work can be conducted safely.
VII. Reference list is complete and formatted correctly.
VIII. Details on the levels of assessment for each of the above criteria are given in
Appendix B.
3.3. Dissertation Proposal Structure
A structured description of the sections that need to be included in proposal is provided below.
PROJECT TITLE
Keywords: include a few words that define the essence of the proposed research. Ideally, these would be the relevant words that other researchers should enter in a search engine to get a better chance of finding your study among the results. This section will not count toward the word limit.
1. Aims and Objectives (£100 words)
Explain in broad terms your aspiration, that is, what you hope to achieve at the end of the project. This part should be one or two paragraphs maximum. Keep them concise. Objectives are the steps taken to achieve the aims. Thus, you need to explain what you will do to achieve these aims. One to three objectives per aim, stated concisely. You might want to use a bullet list.
Objectives should be S.M.A.R.T., that is, specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time constrained.
2. Background (£200 words)
Describe the context or broader setting of your work. Use a few paragraphs, do not exceed 3-4 if possible.
Provide a broad description of the problems/ issues being addressed, the critical need for investigation, nature and purpose of research. The broad questions to be addressed are: why are you doing such research, what are you are doing in it?
3. Literature review (£500 words)
The overall goal is to present the state of the art in your specific area of research and explain how your work is going to advance it, that is, improve general knowledge in the field or perceived knowledge gaps.
As you are preparing for your dissertation you are likely to read more literature than is presented in the report, keep notes on the extra information and this may prove useful for your final literature review in your dissertation.
Make sure you present the most relevant sources of literature here that underpin why you have chosen your research area and approach. Remember this is a critical review, thus it important to express your opinion on previous work discussed.
4. Research Questions (£100 words)
Include concisely the major questions you set out to answer in your final year research project. These questions need to be specific, precise and concrete, as well as tightly linked to the aims presented in Section 1. Ideally, these questions will address knowledge gaps previously identified in the Literature Review (Section 3).
5. Methods (£200 words)
Describe your methodology, that is, the general strategy devised to address the problems/issues being addressed, and your methods, that is, the set of tools (e.g. numerical models, physical models, mathematical analysis, laboratory experiments, etc.) adopted to answer the posed research questions.
Normally the method description should be detailed enough for the reader to replicate your work. Thus ensure all details are given. In this preliminary report a less detailed outline is acceptable. You must also describe how your results can be trusted by the reader (i.e. use of scientific method such as controls, verification, validation, calibration, repeat tests etc).
6. Planning (£200 words)
You should include a project plan or Gantt chart as an appendix up to 2 pages long.
7. Risk Assessment (£100 words)
You should include a risk register of up to 2 pages long. As well as health and safety risks you should also consider risks to the project succeeding.
8. Outcomes (£100 words)
Explain what you expect to achieve in your project. This section must link back to the Objectives listed in Section 1.
9. Reference List
Include the full references to sources cited in the text using the Harvard referencing system; this section will not count toward the word limit.
APPENDICES
Include appendices to provide supplemental material to your proposal. Label them as Appendix A, Appendix B, … These parts are to be included only if necessary and will not count toward the page limit.
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NOTE: the above layout is meant to provide general guidelines that students should follow while writing their dissertation proposal. Students should consult with their supervisor if they think the sequence of sections should be modified. However, all sections need to be presented. In addition, word count, text margins, and font requirements must be all complied with. |
For further general guidance on writing dissertations and proposals, students should see the support provided by the “301: Academic Skills Center” . While this is generic guidance for all departments, most of the information is applicable to research in engineering. Following are two useful links:
□ Information on writing research proposals and dissertations:
http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/301/study-skills/research/dissertation-skills
□ Information on searching for research:http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/301/study-
skills/research/searching-for-researching
Table 2 provides a complete list of important dates and deadlines.
Dissertation. Students are typically expected to develop most of their dissertation study during the Summer Semester. They are expected to work full time on their project starting early in June and until the end of August. No holidays are allowed over this period. The dissertation will be due on 24 August 2024 (see Table 2).
Interview. The dissertation is a major piece of individual research work that must be presented in written form. to a very high standard and defended at an oral interview. The interview is normally held between late August and early September 2024 (see Table 2).
5. Aim of Individual Research project
The individual research project is intended to enable students to develop and implement skills in scientific investigation, creative problem solving and critical evaluation of research findings. Students are also expected to develop skills in technical writing, oral presentation of research work, as well as time and resource management for the successful completion of their work against a deadline.
Students must be aware that the individual research project is the keystone to their degree. Not only is it worth a substantial number of credits, but it may also be picked up as a potential question during job interviews. The project provides a unique opportunity to explore a single problem in tremendous depth, practising skills previously developed during the MSc course. Students must ensure to make the most of it.
On successful completion of the final year project, students will be able to:
1. Define the subject matter of the dissertation and its relevance.
2. Design, organise, justify, and operate appropriate scheme to deliver required goal.
3. Employ appropriate scientific/design principles.
4. Conduct and validate appropriate experimental technique/simulation model.
5. Search published sources of information to establish common knowledge and to develop ideas further.
6. Discuss and analyse results and formulate coherent conclusions on the basis of work done.
7. Present results/experimental evidence in an effective manner.
8. Write a structured technical dissertation following a prescribed format.
9. Demonstrate project, time, and resource management skills.
The learning outcomes 1-3 are related to "Knowledge and Understanding," while outcomes 4-9 pertain to "Skills and Competence".
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NOTE: The above learning outcomes will be assessed through the final report and the interview based on the assessment criteria included in the marking Forms included in Appendix A. Students are strongly encouraged to carefully study the above learning outcomes, as well as the assessment forms, and ensure they have addressed all learning outcomes required for the project. |
6. Assessment, Submission Rules, and Extenuating
Circumstances
Assessment of learning outcomes of the individual research project will be carried out using the forms in Appendix A. In a broadly similar fashion to the assessment of a Ph.D. or M.Phil. thesis, the project will be assessed in its entirety with a single mark, with the assessors reflecting on the student’s combined performance on three individual elements:
□ Final Report (see assessment criteria in Form 1, Appendix A);
□ Interview (see assessment criteria in Form 2, Appendix A).
To pass the module CIV6000, students should achieve at least a threshold level for each learning outcome associated with each deliverable. A grade of 50 or above is essential to be eligible for the award of the MSc Degree.
The student’s final report will be assessed by the supervisor and another member of staff, not involved with the project, acting as a second assessor. The second assessor undertakes an independent assessment of the level of performance demonstrated by the project report. Both assessors will have read the student’s report prior to the interview and will have made notes which will form the basis of questions in the interview. The dissertation report and performance at the interview will count for 95% and 5% of the mark of CIV6000, respectively. The interview is normally held within the two weeks following the submission of the Dissertation (see Table 2). Attendance at the interview is compulsory, and the module is failed if the interview is not attended by the student.
All reports should be submitted via Turnitin by the specified times and dates given in Table 2. The penalty for late submission of the final project report is a reduction of 5% per day of lateness with a cut-off (zero score) after 5 working days (in accordance with University wide penalty system, outlined in the Departmental Handbook).
Students must be extra careful not to submit their dissertation late, as this may not give enough time to the two assessors to assess it thoroughly. In addition, it may not be possible to reschedule an interview if this conflicts with the deadline for the final mark submission.
Where extenuating medical or personal circumstances occur that prevent a student from timely submission of work, they should:
a) Complete an Extenuating Circumstances Form. This is available from the Student Support Office and online.
b) Take this promptly to the Student Support Office or submit electronically to civil- [email protected], prior to the submission deadline.
c) Notify their supervisor and the CIV6000 module lead instructor (Domenico Bau).
The SSiD website gives also detailed advice on what to do in the case of medical circumstances (for example attending the University Health Service), which must be followed. Additional information on Extenuating Circumstances and Requests for Assignment Extensions can be found in the Civil Engineering Student Handbook.
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IMPORTANT: Delays or difficulties connected with computing will NOT be accepted as valid reasons for late submission. It is therefore essential that students keep back-up electronic copies of their work. |
The research proposal developed in CIV61005 (Section 3) will provide a formal formative feedback point as it will be marked by student’s own supervisor.
Following the completion of this, it is up to the student to discuss with their supervisor further formative feedback needed on any subsequent project work and agree on appropriate timescales for verbal feedback to progress with the project.
By virtue of the independent nature of this project, it is NOT appropriate for supervisors to proof-read the chapters of final reports. However, they may advise on the content of smaller sections, as well as give suggestions on the overall proposed report structure and contents. If a student wishes to get this support, material must be given to the supervisor in a timely manner. Any supervisor is likely to have several other MEng, MSc, and BEng students to supervise, as well as other work commitments. Hence, it will not be possible to provide significant feedback on material submitted to them a few days before the final report deadline!
In the two weeks following their dissertation interview, students may be able to obtain feedback on their final report from their supervisor.