Hello, dear friend, you can consult us at any time if you have any questions, add WeChat: THEend8_
1. Introduction
The module CIV6000 - “Advanced Engineering Research Study” representstitles and project descriptions outlined by academic staff. The allocated dissertation topic will be based
on such choices and will be released by Week 7 of Semester 1.
2.1. Self-Proposed Projects
Students have the option to self-propose a project. Self-Proposed Projects require the submission of an ‘Expression of Interest’ (EOI)
for consideration. Students on scholarships
are required to propose their own project if their scholarship requires
them to work on a specific dissertation area. If such an option is not taken, they may end up being allocated a project that does
not meet their scholarship requirements.
Submitting an EOI does not exempt students from expressing their preferences from
the dissertation topic list, as there is no guarantee that a self-proposed project is accepted. Project preferences will be disregarded only if
an EOI is accepted.
The EOI form for self-proposing is posted at:https://forms.gle/Xfs75UNCbpBSaZxV6
and needs to be submitted by Monday of Week 5 (9am, 23 October 2023) A self-proposed project will be considered against the
following points:
1. Will the project allow the student to meet all the learning outcomes for the dissertation? It is important that a selfproposed project honours the key criteria based on which it will be marked, to ensure no disadvantage for the student.
2. Does the Department have the technical skills to supervise the student appropriately?
3. Does the Department have the facilities needed by the student to carry out the project. A self-proposed project EOI will include:
□ Brief Project Description (not exceeding 400 words)
□ Subject area (Geo, Water, Structures, or Other if this area is unknown)
□ Suggested Supervisor. Students should look up the department research web pages and the staff pages to identify
a potential project supervisor. Potential supervisors
should be contacted in advance of the EOI submission.
□ Lab time: if this is necessary, students need to provide a rough estimate of the amount of lab time required by the project.
□ Health and Safety implications
Students should consider the following points when writing the Project Description:
1. Aims
Concise explanation of what the student hopes to achieve at the end of the project.
2. Introduction (or Background)
Description of the context or broader setting of the project, and why that is important. Indicate broad details of the project rationale
(motivation), the problems/issues being addressed, the critical need for investigation, the nature and the purpose of research. The basic
questions to be addressed are: why is such research needed, and what is being done in it?
3. Methodology
Broad overview of the research objectives. Description of approach taken to achieve them (e.g., simulation, experimental or theoretical?),
with some details on the need and suitability of it.
5. Lab resources
Description of experimental work, if applicable (equipment, materials, lab time)
6. Health and Safety Issues
While an actual formal health and safety risk assessment will be completed in due course, the student needs to merely demonstrate
awareness of relevant Health and Safety issues and advance a plan to address them.
7. Indicative references
List of References for sources of information cited in the text.
NOTE: At this stage, the description in the methodology section of the EOI form. can be very brief (it will be finalised later). It is however
very important to provide an estimate of the hours required for laboratory support, if needed, which the student should discuss in
advance with their potential supervisor.
3. Research Proposal
In the module CIV61005-
Professional and Research Skills, which starts in Week 1 of Semester 1, students will develop a dissertation research proposal under the guid
dissertation supervisor. While this proposal is due in Week 2 of Semester 2, students are expected to work regularly during Semester
1, as soon as their dissertation title is assigned.
The goal of the proposal is to lay out a
feasible working plan for their allocated CIV6000 project work and receive early formative feedback from the supervisor. Supervisors will pro
their feedback within two-three weeks after the submission deadline. The assessed work is expected to be a concise summary of the
student proposed plan for Semester 2 and the summer. Experience suggests that the more the initial planning the less the stress student
experience later when the CIV6000 study is conducted.
The proposal will consist of a word-processed report, not exceed 1500 words as specified in Section 4. Such a document must be
formatted on A4 paper with at least 2 cm margins, and Arial font 11. Such a document will be submitted electronically via Turnitin
by the deadlines given in Table 1. A proposal template is provided in Section 4. The research proposal assessment criteria are
given in Section 3.
Table 1. CIV61005 Important dates
Modules
Proposal
submission
deadline
Supervisor
marking/
feedback
CIV61005
CIV6000-03-05
Semester 2 – Week 2
9AM Wednesday
14/02/2024
Semester 2 - Week 5 Friday
08/03/2024
3.1. CIV61005 Activities and Feedback
Students should be prepared to do the following activities with their supervisor within the time frame. shown.
Initial Meeting (Semester 1, Weeks 8–9). Students will meet with their supervisor to start a discussion about the project they have
selected and identify potential research ideas they would like to develop.
Background and Literature Review (Semester 1, Week 12). Students will meet with their supervisor to look at work on the Background an
They should provide a structure for their sections highlighting the areas
they will cover and evidence of the literature they are reviewing. Some of the literature review should be written up fully, but it is not
expected to be in the final version.
Draft proposal review (by Semester 2, Week 1). Students will meet with their supervisor, who will look through
their proposal briefly and provide them with key points for improvement. However, the supervisor will not be able to proof-read the whole
draft and
the student should be prepared with questions about key areas on which they feel advice is needed. To get this feedback, students must arr
of Week 1 of semester 2. Supervisors might not be available to see the students in the same week when the proposal is due.
IMPORTANT NOTE: the studentsupervisor meetings are not timetabled! Students are responsible for liaising well in
advance with their supervisor to set up a time and a location for these activities.
3.2. Assessment Criteria
The proposal will be assessed by the supervisor according to the following seven criteria:
I. Clarity of the research question.
II. Aims and objectives are appropriate and clearly stated.
III. Sufficient awareness of project context and rationale relevance.
IV. Appropriate awareness and understanding of the relevant literature.
V. The methodology, methods, and research design are understood and appropriate for the proposed study.
VI. Health and safety matters have been considered in sufficient depth that there is a reasonable basis to suggest the work can
be conducted safely.
VII. Reference list is complete and formatted correctly.