Module: Masters Project

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Masters Project - SPT Major
Module Code	EE582 (ITS) / EEN1007 (Banner)
Faculty	Engineering & Computing	School	Electronic Engineering
Module Co-ordinator	Marissa Condon
Module Teachers	Conor Mcardle, Jennifer Bruton, Paul Swift
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	30
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

None

Description

To allow the student to put theoretical knowledge of engineering to use in a practical project related to Semiconductor and Plasma Technology 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	6	Preparation for Research Methodologies MCQ
Directed learning	94	Literature Review
Directed learning	30	Presentation Preparation & Delivery
Directed learning	30	Project Implementation Activities over Semesters 1+2
Directed learning	60	Semester 2 Project Planning
Independent Study	380	Independent Implementation during Summer Period
Directed learning	75	Final Implementation Elements in Summer Period
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

Research Training
Participation in research training activities in support of the literature review task.

Literature Review & Analysis of the Problem
Conducting a critical analysis of the state-of-the-art research and engineering technologies relevant to the project problem to identify suitable, well-founded solution approaches. Maintenance of a student Research Log on an ongoing basis, capturing key findings and conclusions from reading of literature.

Presentation Preparation & Delivery
Presentation of key information, ideas and conclusions from the literature review and problem analysis, reporting progress on preliminary project design, evaluation of suitable methods, tools and technologies for implementation, experimentation, testing.

Project Plan
Development of an approved solution method and detailed project plan for completing a well-grounded engineering implementation that will fulfill the project objectives.

Implementation of Solution
Activities carried out to implement the project plan. May take many forms – system implementation and testing, experimental laboratory work, computer based modelling and analysis, etc.

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

Documentation of Outcomes
Production of a conference paper documenting the solution approach, its relation to the state-of-the-art, results obtained and key findings and conclusions from the project outputs. Compiling a portfolio of supporting appendix materials. Attendance at final project interview with project assessors.

Communications with supervisor, technical support & others
Arranging communications (on-campus and/or electronic) to discuss the progress of the project and to organise any required technical resources and materials.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Loop Quiz	Research Methodologies MCQ	1%	Week 8
Research Paper	Literature Review	9%	Week 19
Presentation	Oral Presentation	10%	Week 24
Assignment	Project Design Plan	0%	Other
Report(s)	Research Log	5%	Other
Performance evaluation	Supervisor assessment of Project Management	4%	Other
Oral Examination	Project Portfolio: Final Oral Examination	10%	Other
Portfolio	Project Portfolio: Research Paper 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
Richard Bullock, Michal Brody, Francine Weinberg: 2016, The Little Seagull Handbook, 3, W. W. Norton & Company, 978-039360263
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, 1852338067
Mike W. Martin, Roland Schinzinger: 2005, Ethics in engineering, McGraw-Hill, 0072831154
Charles Lessard: 0, Project Management for Engineering Design, 1598291742

Other Resources

None