KC6031 - Project

What will I learn on this module?

This module is designed specifically to enhance your graduate skills that are essential to your future career and/or postgraduate study. This is achieved by an individual, research-based project work in an area appropriate to your degree.

You will develop the ability to undertake independent research in an area of interest, requiring a survey of current literature, synthesis of ideas, find solutions where required and drawing a coherent appraisal of conclusions. In this process you will learn how to defining clearly a mathematical and/or statistical problem to be investigated/solved, research and appraise current thinking as regards the subject, select methodologies, include appropriate mathematical exemplars to justify your argument and present a well-integrated set of conclusions.

You will also develop the ability to critically appraise both your own work and the work of others in the field.

You will be research-tutored through the module, and you will be assessed by a written project proposal, a poster presentation and a final written report.

How will I learn on this module?

This is a year-long module. You will carry out, under staff supervision, an investigation in an appropriate area pertinent to your degree. You will be encouraged to develop initiative and the capability to work independently, and to develop the capacity for critical thought and judgement.
This project module aims to enhance your ability to communicate, both in written and verbal form, the objectives, analysis and conclusions of technical work. You will also develop the academic skills associated with individual research and knowledge assimilation. The mathematical and/or statistical rigour associated with this module naturally increases your employability and is a highly transferable skill.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

Once a week, you will meet with your supervisor who will provide guidance and monitor progress. You are issued with a Project Handbook and a Project Log Book. You will be encouraged to develop initiative and the capability to work independently, and to develop the capacity for critical thought and judgement. The University’s eLearning Portal offers remote access to supporting materials and aids in facilitating your independent research.

Academic staff will help train and grow the academic skills and curiosity necessary to develop the capability to work independently on a research-based investigation. Academic staff will also help you access specialist resources and relevant materials, including textbooks, data sets and research journal articles.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

What will I be expected to achieve?

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Demonstrate a systematic understanding of key aspects, including clearly and appropriately defining the aims and objectives of the project, as well as acquisition of coherent and detailed knowledge.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
2. Deploy accurately established techniques of analysis and enquiry, and initiate and carry out the project.
3. Interpret outcomes and critically appraise their relevance and validity in relation to previous work, the current problem and possible future developments.
4. Present a coherent critical account, (written and oral), at an appropriate technical and discursive level, of what has been achieved.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
5. Communicate and analyse information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.

How will I be assessed?

SUMMATIVE


1. Poster (30% ) – 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

2. Written Report (70% ) – 1, 2, 3, 4, 5


FORMATIVE – 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
4. Once a week the student meets with their supervisor who will provide guidance and monitor progress.


The student will present a poster summarising their work up to the end of Semester One. Staff will question the student and assess the presentation. The student will submit a written report of their work for assessment towards the end of Semester Two.


Students will receive oral feedback at the poster presentations by the staff involved and then additional written feedback from the module tutor via the Project Mark Books at the beginning of Semester 2. After submission of their reports students receive feedback on their reports again from the module tutor via the Project Mark Books.

Pre-requisite(s)

None

Co-requisite(s)

None

Module abstract

The module is designed to develop your independent research skills. You will carry out an investigation in an area pertinent to your degree under staff supervision. You will be encouraged to develop initiative and the capability to work independently, and to develop the capacity for critical thought and judgement. This project module will enhance the individual student's ability to communicate effectively the objectives, analysis and conclusions of technical work. Upon completion of the module, you will have gained experience in defining clearly a mathematical and/or statistical problem to be solved, selecting methodologies and managing resources appropriate to investigating the problem, knowledge assimilation, effecting a solution and drawing conclusions. You will show the ability to critically appraise both their own work and the work of others in the field. Above all, this module is designed to enhance a student's graduate skills that are essential to their future careers and/or postgraduate study.

Course info

UCAS Code G100

Credits 40

Level of Study Undergraduate

Mode of Study 3 years Full Time or 4 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad

Department Mathematics, Physics and Electrical Engineering

Location City Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2025

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

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