Project-Environmental Engineering

Overview

Thesis work allows each student to perform independent research work on an agreed project including: development of idea, literature review, experiment design, data collection and analysis and report writing. It involves a substantive piece of experimental work conducted by the student which is presented in the form of a thesis. Students work under the supervision of an individual member of academic staff. Both the thesis document and conduct of the work are assessed and contribute to the final module mark. The Programme Handbook provides details on thesis submission and deadlines. Students will furthermore be required to prepare a poster presentation of key elements of their research work for presentation at a lunch time seminar.

Learning Objectives

The successful completion of the Thesis Research module should equip students:
• To evaluate research problems within the chosen project area, including choosing appropriate methodologies and analysis techniques (key elements)
• To understand & formulate the significance of specific research outcomes in the chosen project area within the context of the existing body of research (key elements)
Having successfully completed the Thesis research project, students will be able to demonstrate: ability to perform all the stages involved in a real research project, including:
• literature review
• developing conceptual models
• experimental design
• qualitative or quantitative analysis
• production of a research report & poster

Skills

The successful completion of the Thesis Research module should allow students to:
• identify & appraise key methodologies applied in practical research within the chosen Project area
• apply relevant practical methodologies within the chosen project area, including carrying out relevant lab and/or field experiments and collating & analysing data sets
The successful completion of the Thesis research project should further develop students’ key skill sets supporting:
• Ability to tackle a substantial research problem in appropriate methodical manner
• Performance of all the stages of investigating a research problem including data handling
• Identification and addressing of ethical issues
• Independent learning
• Working in collaboration with peer researchers & supervisors
• Project planning
• Problem-based learning
• Time management
• Critical evaluation
• Assimilating cutting-edge research literature
• Arguing a coherent thesis
• Report writing
• Visual communication skills; poster presentation of research concepts & findings
• Information & research skills

Assessment

Completion of research project; submission of written thesis report, preparation & presentation of Poster