Assignment Paper

 

This assessment is an individual activity in which the following learning outcomes, as defined in the module descriptor, are addressed

1. Appreciate the business context of projects within their subject discipline and be able to select and apply appropriate techniques and tools for the planning and management of those projects
2 Critically understand and professionally deal with the wide range of legal, professional, social and ethical issues and responsibilities that relate to their future working within their subject discipline
3 Critically evaluate various research approaches, methods and techniques
4 Produce a Research Proposal based on searching, retrieving, selecting and critically evaluating information

Assessment Criteria/Mark Scheme:
The Assignment specification follows this preamble page as does the general assessment criteria and assessment form

Assignment submission:

Hard copy must be submitted to Student Central. An electronic copy of your work must be submitted to TurnItIn on the date specified in the specification using the links in the module folder on the ELP (Blackboard).

Instructions to students:
This is an individual assignment. See the assignment specification as to expectations from the individual

Academic Conduct:
You must adhere to the university regulations on academic conduct. Formal inquiry proceedings will be instigated if there is any suspicion of misconduct or plagiarism in your work. Refer to the University’s regulations on assessment if you are unclear as to the meaning of these terms. The latest copy is available on the university website.
 
ASSIGNMENT BRIEF

For this assignment you, are to choose a research topic area, from the list supplied, and preferably in your programme area. These research topics have been supplied by academic staff with information regarding the details, outcomes and where to obtain information.
Your task will to research the subject and critically evaluate the literature and then develop a project proposal suitable for a 60 credit MSc Engineering Project. This proposal should provide:

(a) Appropriate background and or theory to justify the project

(b) Definite project Aims and Objectives

(c) Deliverables

(d) Time scales and Gantt Chart

(e) Required Resources and Estimate of the costs

(f) References and Citations

Your Research Project Proposal must conform to the Notes on Presentation. Your report must include:

1. A front page

This should be as provided
2. The main report as outlined below:

 
Individual Project Proposal Assignment (60% of the module marks)
There is 1 component to the individual assignment assessment:
• Formal report

This is a summative assignment – the marks will count towards the final module total, and the Assessment Regulations for Northumbria Awards (ARNA) will be strictly enforced. In particular you should note:

• University Regulations stipulate that students must make a reasonable attempt at all assessments. None submission will result in a mark of zero for that component and the module will be failed

• Any submission beyond the deadline will be given a mark of zero

Important note:
Although guidelines have been provided and occasionally these are general, please look at the individual assessment and ensure that these are addressed together with the guidelines.

Formal Report Presentation
• The proposal should be clear and neat, excessive effort in the form of decorative touches or expensive binders will not feature in the assessment and may cause a reduction in marks.
• Written to a professional standard using MS Word and show appropriate and consistent use of type, fonts and line spacing (for this assignment use Arial 12 and single spacing) and page layouts.

• Give each page a footer (in pitch 8) that includes your names, the module code, and a page number.
• Harvard referencing and citation must be used throughout
• The Front cover of the report must be standard as follows:
 

KD7067Engineering Research and Project Management

****Programme****
Individual Project Proposal

Name: Student no.:

Date:

 

MAIN REPORT – This must consist of the following sections:

1) Abstract
2) Introduction – general overview
Some points to consider.
i) Reasons for the work – outline current research / market/ benefits that project will produce
ii) Research critically considered, referenced and differences in this work and proposed work highlighted
iii) Theory where necessary

3) Project Aims and Objectives, Deliverables

No more than 6 SMART Objectives

4) Project Plan

This must include a Gantt chart taken from MS Project

5) Financial Justification
This should include a list of:
i) Physical Resources required for the project
ii) Human Resources required for the project
iii) Overall costing

6) Risk, Ethical and Legal Assessment
Include a Risk Assessment for the proposed project discussing the risk factors, both physical and financial, you can identify, which may prevent successful completion of the project within time and the set budget
In addition ethical issues should be considered and an awareness of legal obligations.

7) Conclusion Summary of Proposal

8) References

9) Bibliography

Criteria Maximum Marks Actual Marks
Abstract and Introduction:
Clear aims, details, results, conclusions
Outline of rationale for the proposal, research, market, justification

10
Project Aims and Objectives, Deliverables

5
Project Plan:
Work breakdown, task list, Gantt chart

20
Financial Justification:
Equipment, facilities, general resources, wages, income, break even, profit

5
Risk, Ethical and Legal Assessment:
Consideration of physical, financial risks, ethical considerations

5
Conclusion Summary of Proposal:
Summary of the report
5

References, Bibliography
5

Overall presentation:
Clear, professional, consistent, formatting, referencing and citation, compliance with assignment specifications
5

TOTAL

60