Module: Masters Project

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Masters Project - NTP Major
Module Code	EE581 (ITS) / EEN1006 (Banner)
Faculty	Engineering & Computing	School	Electronic Engineering
Module Co-ordinator	Marissa Condon
Module Teachers	Conor Mcardle, Jennifer Bruton
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	30
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

None
Array

Description

To allow the student to put theoretical knowledge of engineering to use in a practical project related to Nano Technology and related devices and to document the project outputs to research publication standard. In this module students will use and develop knowledge and skills in planning and managing projects, risk and health & safety assessments, reviewing literature, analysing, defining and implementing an engineering solution, documenting and presenting outcomes and key findings.

Learning Outcomes

1. Describe and explain the scientific principles and engineering technologies and design processes associated with their project area
2. Identify engineering problems and to formulate problems in a manner which allows solution
3. Display a level of ingenuity in applying appropriate existing solutions or devising novel solutions to engineering design problems
4. Devise appropriate tests or experiments in order to allow exploration, analysis and evaluation of a proposed system design
5. Apply critical analysis to the results of tests or experiments and to draw concrete conclusions as to the effectiveness of an engineering design
6. Identify technical requirements for a design and to assess the practicality of possible solutions to problems arising in the project
7. Write well structured engineering reports which are written to the correct level of technical detail to suit the intended reader
8. Apply project management techniques in the execution of the project in order to undertake all project implementation and development work and to produce a complete project report to deadline
9. Take responsibility for progression of their own work under guidance of a supervisor and to identify and report problems and issues as they arise which might impede progress of a project
10. Conduct the required background research related to the project topic and be able to search for, access, review and evaluate publications on given topics
11. Distinguish between their own work and that of others and to credit others’ in a proper manner
12. Resolve differences of option on technical matters between themselves and their supervisor
13. Effectively communicate technical concepts and ideas orally, in writing and graphically
14. Search research journals, the Internet, and other resources for relevant research approaches and to evaluate and compare these
15. Use statistical approaches, critical analysis, quantitative and qualitative comparisons to evaluate the quality of their own work and that of others
16. Communicate complex technical ideas to a lay audience
17. Report their research results to publication standard in the format of an academic paper
18. Document their results in a hierarchical manner, with fine detail delegated to appendices and key points in the main report

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Directed learning	100	Literature Review
Directed learning	30	Presentation Preparation & Delivery
Directed learning	30	Project Implementation Activities over 2 Semesters
Directed learning	60	Semester 2 Project Planning
Independent Study	380	Summer Independent Implementation
Directed learning	75	Summer Final Implementation Elements
Report	75	Final Portfolio Production & Assessment
Total Workload: 750

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Literature Review & Analysis of the Problem
This review should include relevant literature and other sources which must be critically analysed to suggest a possible project approach/solution. Must be properly referenced and form a significant section of the final project portfolio.

Presentation Preparation & Delivery
Presentation of key information, ideas and conclusions from the Literature review along with a high-level project plan.

Project Plan
Development of an approved fine-detailed project plan and solution to implement a reasoned engineering approach to complete/advance the project.

Implementation of Solution
Activities carried out to fulfill the project plan. May take many forms - laboratory work, computer based analysis, cognitive reasoning etc.

Testing & Analysis of Results
Designing appropriate tests and evaluating the outcome from these and the new information developed during the project in a critical and insightful manner.

Documentation of Outcomes
Production of the project conference paper which should document key aspects and findings of the project and reach conclusions. Also the portfolio which includes appendices and interview.

Communications with supervisor, technical support & others
Arranged communications (on-campus and/or electronic) to discuss the advancement of the project and the technical resources required.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Report(s)	Literature Review (Stage I)	10%	Week 19
Presentation	Oral Presentation	10%	Week 21
Assignment	Project Design Plan	0%	Other
Performance evaluation	Supervisor assessment of Project Management	9%	Other
Oral Examination	Project Portfolio: Final Oral Examination	10%	Other
Project	Project Portfolio: Research Paper, Non-Technical Articles and Appendices	60%	Other

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories: Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module. Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module. Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 2

Indicative Reading List

Adedeji B. Badiru: 0, Project management for research: A guide for Engineering and Science, Springer, 0412588900
Thomas Mann: 2005, The Oxford guide to library research, Oxford University Press, New York, 0195189981
Hoang Pham, ed: 2006, Springer Handbook of Engineering Statistics, Springer, London, 1852338067
Mike W. Martin, Roland Schinzinger: 2005, Ethics in engineering, McGraw-Hill, Boston, 0072831154
Charles Lessard,: 0, Project Management for Engineering Design, 1598291742

Other Resources

22940, Website, 0, Module Loop Site, https://loop.dcu.ie/course/view.php?id=8281,