Professional Documents
Culture Documents
CO-REQUISITES: None
AIMS (DEFINITIVE)
The project can cover any subject area related to the programme of study. The best
projects generally allow the student to use knowledge, understanding and skills
gained from previous courses (academic and vocational) and/or working in the field
as a baseline. However, they should extend the student beyond this into the
unknown.
The project should provide an opportunity for the student to demonstrate that they
have the ability to analyse problems and identify solutions that are beyond their
current level of understanding and outside their comfort-zone. It should require the
student to research and read around a topic to develop their knowledge and
understanding; and provide them with an opportunity to reflect on their knowledge
and abilities, identify shortfalls and take the necessary action to bridge gaps.
Students will be expected to plan, manage and progress their project to a successful
conclusion. Whilst each student will be allocated a Project Supervisor, students
requiring a lot of guidance or support, or who complete a project based primarily on
data and material already available will not achieve a good grade.
Students will be allocated a Project Supervisor and given guidance on the selection
of a suitable topic for their project at the start of the academic year (or earlier if
possible). The supervisor will be familiar with the general field of study and will there
to guide the student through the module/project and to make sure it stays on track.
However, it must be noted that, whilst help and guidance will be given, this is a
student-driven module and students requiring an excessive input from supervisors
(and others) will not achieve a good grade. The primary role of the supervisor should
be confirming that what is presented by the student is relevant and appropriate.
Both full-time and part-time students will be expected to maintain regular contact with
their supervisor over the lifetime of the project/module. It is the students
responsibility to contact the supervisor to arrange meetings and the level of contact
described here will not be regarded as excessive. Full-time students should arrange
to meet, face-to-face, with their supervisor once per week. Ideally, part-time students
should also have weekly face-to-face meetings with their supervisor; however, this
will often not be possible. In such circumstances, part-time students should arrange a
video-conference (Skype) call with their supervisor or email them a brief progress
report. Part-time students will get an opportunity to meet face-to face with their
supervisors during the attendance periods.
Students are expected to have carried out a preliminary investigation into the topic of
their project at the time of project selection to ensure the project is viable. Once the
project has been agreed with the supervisor, students are expected to start by
reading round the topic of their project to determine exactly what it is they are trying
to achieve. Students will then construct a plan for completing the project which will be
discussed and agreed with their supervisor. One the project is started the supervisor
The first point of contact for any project related issues is the supervisor. However,
students also may seek specialist advice from other members of staff.
The student is expected to commit about 300 hours to independent study on this
module.
The interim report is the first piece of assessment and is typically worth 20% of the
module marks. The interim report is summative but it will also provide the student
with feedback and feed-forward that will assist in the production of the presentation
and final project report. The report also provides an opportunity for the supervisor to
confirm that the aim, objectives and plan are appropriate.
The presentation, typically worth 20% of the module marks, provides an opportunity
for the student to demonstrate their presentation production and delivery skills and
provides another opportunity for further feedback on the project and its progress.
The final submission comprises the project report and Log Book worth 60% of the
overall module mark. The report is a substantial piece of written work that makes a
very significant contribution to the overall module mark; therefore, it is blind second
marked to ensure fairness and to provide moderation. The log book mark provides an
indication of the effort demonstrated by the student throughout the project and is the
place where the student is expected to record all matters related to the project.
However, it is also the place where the student is able to record reflection (emotion is
encouraged) on the project and the module in general.
ACHIEVING A PASS
It IS a requirement that the major category of assessment is passed in order to
achieve an overall pass for the module.
Core Texts:
Recommended Reading:
The material provided and the recommended reading for the Aircraft Maintenance
Operations module.
Alley, Michael. (1996) The Craft of Scientific Writing. 3rd ed. Springer Scientific +
Business media inc. ISBN-13 978-0387947662
Seely, John. (2005) Oxford Guide to Effective Writing and Speaking. 2nd ed. Oxford
University Press. ISBN-13 978-019280613-0
Stanton, Nicky. (2009) Mastering Communication. 5th ed. Palgrave Master Series.
ISBN-13 978-0230216921