Unit information: Research Project in 2026/27

Please note: Programme and unit information may change as the relevant academic field develops. We may also make changes to the structure of programmes and assessments to improve the student experience.

Unit name Research Project
Unit code EMATM0038
Credit points 60
Level of study M/7
Teaching block(s) Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52)
Unit director Professor. Giuggioli
Open unit status Not open
Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units)

SEMTM0015
Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units)

None
Units you may not take alongside this one

None
School/department School of Engineering Mathematics and Technology
Faculty Faculty of Engineering

Unit Information

Students will undertake an individual research project allowing them to develop their research skills. At the end of the project the results will be presented in the form of a final dissertation and in a project conference.

Aims:

  • To enable students to perform independent research
  • To present research findings both in writing and orally

Your learning on this unit

On successful completion of the dissertation, students will demonstrate ability to:

  1. frame a clear, central research question within the project topic chosen;
  2. identify and critically review literature relevant to the topic and central research question;
  3. understand and apply an appropriate research methodology to investigate the chosen topic;
  4. analyse data and/or evidence, where appropriate, and draw approriate conclusions that answer the central research question;
  5. integrate conclusions into wider academic debates;
  6. produce a project report in a clear, well-written and grammatically-correct style, that conforms to the conventions of academic presentation;
  7. use skills of project management including working independently, managing time, working to deadlines.

How you will learn

Teaching will be delivered though regular supervision meetings involving discussion of progress, technical advice, and guidance. These will be supplemented by a combination of synchronous and asynchronous sessions, supported by live online sessions, to provide the key organisational and practical skills required for the project.

How you will be assessed

The School of Engineering Mathematics and Technology will run Community and Integrity Training at the beginning of the academic year. Attendance at a Community and Integrity training session is a must-do component to be awarded credit for the unit.

Assessment Details

Formative feedback will be through regular meetings with the project supervisor and also through an interim assessment, which will consist of a short presentation to the project assessor(s) and supervisor followed by an interview.

Summative assessment: Dissertation (15,000 words maximum) (100%)

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. EMATM0038).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.

The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.

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