CEG8296 : MSc Project and Dissertation in Geotechnical Engineering
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr David Milledge
- Other Staff: Dr Bruna Lopes, Dr Colin Davie, Dr Jean Hall, Dr Sadegh Nadimi, Dr Ross Stirling, Professor Mohamed Rouainia, Professor Stefano Utili
- Owning School: Engineering
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 3 |
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 3 |
| Semester 3 Credit Value: | 54 |
| ECTS Credits: | 30.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
The aim of this module is to enable students to put their specialist skills, knowledge, and understanding into practice through the medium of a significant individual research project and written dissertation.
Summary:
This module represents the major individual research project that students must complete as part of their degree.
Outline Of Syllabus
Dissertation projects might involve working within one of the School's established research groups, or elsewhere in collaboration with another industrial or academic partner. Wherever they work, students will be supervised, throughout their project, by an experienced scientist or engineer. These supervisors will provide advice on the approaches and methods that are best suited to the research problem; on collection/analysis of data; and guidance in producing a well-written dissertation. Students present their findings both as a full written dissertation and in short form through a poster or conference paper.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 160:00 | 160:00 | Deliverable B: Dissertation max 60 pages |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 25:00 | 25:00 | Deliverable A: Poster / Conference Paper |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 5 | 2:00 | 10:00 | Research methods, project design and planning, literature review, writing and data presentation skills. |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 395:00 | 395:00 | n/a |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Dissertation/project related supervision | 10 | 1:00 | 10:00 | N/A |
| Total | 600:00 |
Jointly Taught With
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| CEG8297 | MSc Project and Dissertation in Engineering Geology |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Students practise and develop their discipline related skills and knowledge, and their generic skills, through the medium of an individual research project. Taught small group teaching activities provide introduction to generic skills and knowledge (eg project design and planning, literature reviews, writing skills, etc.) during which students participate in lecturer led, group based, peer interactive exercises conducted in seminar format. These are complemented by a “learning through doing” approach as they undertake the project, with the support of one or more academic supervisors who can advise on methodologies and interpretations.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dissertation | 3 | M | 90 | Written dissertation assessed in Semester 3 (up to 60 pages). |
| Prof skill assessmnt | 3 | M | 10 | Poster or conference paper |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The specialist and generic skills, and the knowledge and understanding practised and developed during this module are assessed primarily through examination of a written dissertation. Complementary skills in data presentation and scientific communication are practised and assessed through the professional skills assessment paper.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- CEG8296's Timetable