The module is M graded with 'Research Project 2 (MSc Civil Engineering)' and 'Research Project 3 (MSc Civil Engineering)' from the autumn and summer semesters. It is expected that students will primarily focus on Learning Outcomes 1 - 4 in this part of the project. The rationale of this module is to test a student's ability to design, plan and carry out a research project by integrating previous studies and expanding their current knowledge. The purpose of the module is to develop and demonstrate skills in: - Researching topics in their field or in closely related fields - Identifying issues associated with current practice - Proposing engineering based solutions for these problems - Effectively communicating ideas

The research project should be on an advanced topic of current or potential future relevance to field of civil engineering. It should demonstrate the student's ability to perform independent research and self-directed learning on an unfamiliar problem, while utilising some of the major concepts and ideas encountered in earlier taught modules and project work. While original and publishable work is not a requirement, a major aim of the research project is to provide students with experience in producing work aimed at publication in a public forum (journal, conference, academic or industrial seminar, trade show etc). The research project will normally commence with a literature review. The main part of the research project may require the use of advanced computer analysis, theoretical calculations and/or experimental analysis.

At the end of this module, students will be able to: 1. Demonstrate the ability to develop creative solutions to problems of an advanced nature in civil engineering 2. Determine deficiencies in knowledge needed for realisation of an advanced project in the field of civil engineering, and plan and execute self-directed continuing professional development needed to address such deficiencies 3. Prepare a clear motivation, formulate a hypothesis and develop a set of objectives for the project 4. Produce a detailed literature review to evaluate critically current and previous work in the field, separate to the final technical paper 5. Develop a theoretical foundation and coherent justification for the methodology taken in the project. Assess the strengths and weaknesses of alternative methodologies and/or strategies compared to methodology undertaken in the project 6. Demonstrate understanding of the theoretical bases, limitations and range of applicability of the mathematical methods and engineering science underpinning certain aspects of civil engineering 7. Create mathematical models, where needed, with appropriate assumptions and level of detail to enable analysis of new and ill-defined problems, using numerical solution techniques as needed 8. Design and conduct experiments, where relevant, to contribute to the development of scientific/technical knowledge for the problem addressed 9. Handle complexity and formulate judgements with incomplete or conflicting information 10. Interact with experts and incorporate knowledge, as needed, from fields within and outside the discipline of civil engineering 11. Select and apply appropriate communication tools to facilitate a deeper understanding of the problem addressed and create maximum impact on a given audience 12. Summarise key information related to advantages and disadvantages of developed techniques or approaches in terms which will be understandable to a lay audience 13. Write a technical paper in a format suitable for publication, with an abstract that provides a clear executive summary of the work performed 14. Design and create a poster which summarises key project outputs and recommendations 15. Interpret the contributions of project outputs to the field of civil engineering to the well being of society at large

At the end of this module, students will be able to: 16. Interact with technicians, technologists and engineers to understand how they together constitute an engineering team 17. Identify and assess problem constraints related to environmental, sustainability, ethical, health and safety issues

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The project will be driven by the student, with help from an Academic Supervisor. Where required the student will be assigned a Technical Support Staff member who will aid in any experimental work that is to be planned and undertaken. 7 contact hours are referenced to allow a full day cleared in student's schedule, however contact time with their Supervisor/Support Staff is for part of this only.