Martin Stacey's MSc Project Page
Between 2014 and 2019 I was the MSc Project Module Coordinator, in charge of IMAT 5314, which is the project module
for the Faculty's various computing-related Master's degrees, which is now being run by
Prof Laurence Brooks.
This page lists somewhat outdated but possibly stiff useful versions of
the standard module documents you might need; they are also available on the IMAT 5314 module shells on
Blackboard.
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MSc Project Guide, 2018-2019 Edition
The Project Guide gives detailed instructions and
guidance on how the project module operates, and how to produce a Terms of Reference,
fill in an Ethical Review Form, and write a dissertation, including how to do referencing
and avoid plagiarism. It's a lot longer and fuller than the current edition produced by
Prof Laurence Brooks.
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Formulating Research Questions for Development Projects
MSc projects need to be scholarly work that investigates research questions.
But most IMAT 5314 projects are primarily about developing a software system or other usable artefact.
This document explains how to frame your development project as research by asking
'what can developing this system tell us?'
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Ethical Review Form for MSc Projects
You must complete an Ethical Review Form
and get it signed off, for all undergraduate and masters projects.
The previous version of the all-purpose ethics form, still current for undergraduate projects, is
here
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BCS requirements for projects in BCS-accredited degree programmes
This is the current BCS guidance, dated May 2018.
The BCS insists that students doing projects for BCS-accredited degrees do practical work using computer technology,
typically building an artefact, not just research or a literature survey.
Currently this is mandatory for MSc Intelligent Systems and MSc Intelligent Systems and Robotics.
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Checklist for BCS requirements in BCS-accredited degree programmes
Checklist borrowed from the undergraduate final year project module. It is imperative that the plan for the project
defined in the Terms of Reference document meets the BCS requirements for projects in BCS-accredited degrees.
Students need to make sure their Terms of Reference documents meet these requirements.
Supervisors need to check this and agree.
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Marking Form
This is the Word version of the form that will be used to mark MSc Projects; current policy is to use these headings for online rubrics.
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Some open access data sets
A word document with web links to an assortment of collections of public access data sets,
that might be useful for students wanting to do data analysis projects
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Project Report Cover Sheet
This is the old master file for the coversheet for hardcopies of MSc project reports.
However we no longer require hardcopy submissions, although some supervisors may find them helpful.
General Forms
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Absence Request Form
Overseas MSc students wanting to leave the UK for more than four weeks
in the course of their studies, whether for research or personal reasons, need to
(1) get permission and (2) register
the permission with the International Office, by getting their programme leader
or project supervisor to agree, completing this form, getting the supervisor or
programme leader to sign it, and submitting it.
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Distance Learners' Deferral Form
This is the online form for deferral applications by distance learning students.
Local students should fill in the slightly different paper form.
Project Proposals
Web links to Staff project pages:
Word documents
Useful links
