Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
Undergraduate Programme
Code FM6308
For School of Digital Media Technology BSc (Hons)
titles; Music Technology, Multimedia Technology,
Film Production and Technology, Film Technology
and Special Effects, Games Design and Production,
Television Technology and Production, Sound
Engineering and Production, Sound and Multimedia
Technology
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SUMMARY INFORMATION AND CALENDAR, 2010-11
Module: Media Technology Project UG3; 30-credit module
Courses: MT, MMT, FPT, FTSE, GDP, TVTP, SEP, SMMT
Co-ordinator: Roy Priest
Wk 14 Research Report
Submit to IT Helpdesk. The short Research Report covers progress, research
findings, evaluation of methods and plans for the main report. You are required to
submit two copies. Further details in section 7, and assessment criteria, section 11.2.
Wk 26 Main Report
The main report is the culmination of the project module. A total of three copies are
required, two comb bound and an electronic copy on CD. Further details in section 8
and assessment criteria, section 11.3.
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CONTENTS
SUMMARY INFORMATION & CALENDAR i
.....................................................................................................................................................3
1.0 INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................................1
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1.0 INTRODUCTION
The final year project provides an opportunity to develop in-depth knowledge in a specialist area
relevant to the course and demonstrate your ability to:
The project is intended to draw from across the programme of study and to act as a vehicle for
students to demonstrate their wider abilities. The project will be individual but may, nevertheless,
be linked to group work where scale and complexity demand.
Aim
To provide students with an opportunity to apply knowledge and skills gained during the
taught part of the course to achieve performance improvement of a relevant
industrial/academic activity.
Objectives
In order to qualify for the award of BSc students must submit a report based upon a
relevant project to their course of studies. Students should show competence in the
following:
ii) In the context of established knowledge and the concepts covered during the
taught part of the course, assessing the relevance of appropriate theory and its
application to the specification, analysis and solution of a problem.
iv) The ability to draw appropriate conclusions from the analysis and recommend
and/or implement solution(s) that meet the specification in terms of technical
and/or commercial performance.
The project has a 30 credit weighting in the calculation for honours classification and therefore
constitutes a significant proportion of your final year work. As well as contributing to the honours
award, a successful project will both enhance your CV and benefit career development.
Please read through this booklet carefully – it describes how to undertake the project and includes
essential information on assessment. However, it is not a substitute for attendance at the weekly
tutorial classes and regular meetings with your supervisor. Before starting you should also read the
assessment criteria in Section 11 which indicate what the assessors will be looking for, and what
you should be demonstrating, for each of the deliverables
As well as attending the tutorial classes and meeting with your supervisor, there is guidance in the
web resources on Moodle. Also, the Learning Centre has texts, tip sheets and offers tutorial
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support through the year on different aspects of undertaking a project. Keep in regular contact with
the Learning Centre’s Final Year Project Resources at:
http://moodle.bcu.ac.uk/tee/course/view.php?id=816
A statement of project module aims and learning outcomes is in the syllabus, Appendix 1.
Appendix 2 is a copyright waiver to enable your project report to be published by Birmingham
City University. Appendix 3 is the Project Registration Form which you must complete and
submit (2 copies) to the IT Helpdesk in order to register your project.
Most students select a project as part of the final assessment for Media Production Management
UG2, Media Industry UG2 or Commissions, Markets and Revenue Streams UG2. If you
submitted a registration document and it is to remain the same, you do not need to submit it
again. However, if you wish to change your project title or make significant changes to the
project aims after initial approval, the revised aims and rationale must be agreed with the
supervisor and a revised Registration Form and full Project Proposal Document must be
submitted and approved.
Lists of project topics and supervisors, and much additional information, are provided at
http://moodle.bcu.ac.uk/tee/course/view.php?id=816
The Project Module Co-ordinator will assist in identifying possible supervisors. Academic staff
may be contacted direct to discuss ideas for projects - make an appointment to meet staff via
the main entrance reception.
In choosing a project, it helps considerably if you have an interest in the subject area involved. It
is also important that the project aims are consistent with your course title and provide scope to
develop and demonstrate personal skills and attributes (such as reasoning, creativity, analytical
skills and judgment) at a level appropriate for an honours degree. Refer to the module aims and
learning outcomes in the syllabus, Appendix 1 and consider whether your proposed project will
provide scope to meet the module learning outcomes. Also, consider your proposal against
each of the assessment criteria in Section 11 of the full project guidance notes to ensure there is
appropriate scope for demonstrating achievement. The title that you choose for your Final Year
Project should be appropriate to your course and provide sufficient scope for the exploration of
technology or for the subject matter to be investigated in a suitably scientific manner appropriate
to a BSc.
This section applies if you have not already submitted a registration form as part of the year 2
industry module or if you wish to change title, or have been directed to do so by the Project
Coordinator.
The first deliverable is the registration form. Having obtained the approval of a member of
academic staff you should register your project by submitting the project registration form,
Appendix 3. This should be submitted at the latest by the date given in the calendar. If you are
having problems selecting or getting approval for a project, see the Project Module Co-ordinator
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during one of the timetabled tutorial classes.
A working title of no more than a few words may be used for the registration form. The final title
for the project report may be determined when the work is more substantially complete. If it is a
project taken from the projects web site list, contact the relevant member of staff to establish if it
is still available and to agree the overall aim and provisional objectives. This will later be
developed into a full proposal which should be submitted by Friday of week 4 (refer to calendar
for dates).
If you are proposing your own idea for a project, you should discuss it with, and have it approved
by, a member of academic staff who should agree, provisionally, to supervise it. You should
include in your registration form a brief statement of rationale (that is justification; why is it
important for the work to be done? Who, apart from you, will benefit from the work?). If you
submit a registration form without a staff signature, or with significant shortcomings, approval
may be delayed. Note that in signing the proposal, a member of staff is supporting it as
reasonable and appropriate for your course. However, dependent on other commitments s/he
may not be available to be your Supervisor.
The registration form includes a statement on ethics. Does this project involve human or animal
subjects? This includes activities such as interviews, observations, questionnaires. If you
answer ‘yes’, your proposal will be assessed by the Research Ethics Committee. You should
refer to the research ethics check list form, Appendix 4, and sign to agree to abide by the BCU
research ethics regulations.
All Registration forms are subject to approval by the Project Moderation Committee. Therefore,
the brief proposal in the registration document should contain sufficient information on the
proposed aims and provisional objectives to enable the Project Moderation Committee to form a
judgment on its suitability for the honours study programme.
A project proposal is not confirmed as approved until your name and the project title appear on
the Project Co-ordinator's list, identified as approved. This will be published following the
approval and allocation process. Provisional approval is provided by the member of academic
staff signing the registration document and this is sufficient to allow you to continue making
progress. However, it is the Project Moderation Committee that finally approves and confirms
projects and supervisors. The Committee may require modifications to be made to proposals
and there may be limits on the number of projects that can be supported in some topic areas,
subject to resource constraints.
If you wish to make significant changes to the project aims after initial approval, the
revised aims and rationale must be agreed with the supervisor and a revised Registration
Form and Full Project Proposal Document must be submitted to the Final Year Project
Coordinator for approval.
After your project aims have been agreed, as recorded in the Project Registration Form and
shown in the approved list, you should make frequent and adequate contact with your
supervisor. It is strongly recommended that you arrange to meet your supervisor every week at
a fixed time. The length of the meetings will vary dependent on the project activities at the time.
Regular meetings with your supervisor early on are important for constructive development of
your proposals and in laying the foundations for a successful outcome.
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When attending meetings with the supervisor you should bring a logbook, for both
demonstrating a record of activity and keeping notes of the meeting. You will be expected to
complete a Log of supervisor/student Final Year Project meetings (see Appendix 5). As well as
advice and guidance, supervisors will be able to provide feedback on progress during the
meetings. Note that it is your responsibility to ensure that your supervisor is kept up to date with
progress. If you encounter any problems, contact your supervisor immediately.
Your success in terms of the management of your Media Technology Project is assessed as part
of the Poster presentation & viva. For this final assessment you are required to bring your
logbook and your Log of supervisor / student Final Year Project meetings as evidence of your
approach to project management (see Appendix 5).
3.2 Tutorials
You should attend the timetabled tutorials, which in the first few weeks cover selection and
proposals and development of objectives. Later tutorials are linked to each assessment and
failure to attend tutorials is almost certain to be detrimental to achieving your potential. Tutorial
classes are supported by the on-line Moodle tutorials and it is essential to familiarise yourself
with the range of Moodle-based project resources as soon as possible.
http://moodle.bcu.ac.uk/tee/course/view.php?id=816&topic=0#section-15
It is important to maintain an accurate logbook record of all activity related to the project, as it is
undertaken, with notes of meetings, experimental and information search results, etc.
maintained throughout the duration of the project. The logbook should be brought to meetings
with the project supervisor.
The logbook forms a day-to-day record of progress and should build up to become the basis from
which the Research Report and Main Report are derived. The logbook should be robust, and be
able to withstand the rigours of the laboratory/practical/travel etc. environment without pages falling
out and getting lost. As noted in section 3.1, your logbook is considered as part of the Poster
presentation & viva.
• have fixed pages (no ring binders, lever arch files or similar).
• have a strong, though not necessarily rigid cover.
• be A4 in size - smaller books sometimes prevent the clear recording of activity, meetings,
ideas, results, sketches and diagrams, etc..
Your logbook should be an accurate record of your progress. You should maintain a logbook
record as you work, so that problems do not occur through errors of memory, or scraps of paper
being lost. The logbook is also an important part of project management and should be used to
note down plans for meetings and other activities. Careful planning leads to more effective use
of time.
There are two types of logbook entry; a journal entry and a practical entry. A journal entry is an
account of an activity such as visiting the Learning Centre or reading a textbook. The format for a
journal entry is not fixed except that the date and type of entry should be at the beginning, and a
conclusions section describing what has been achieved at the end.
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A practical entry is somewhat more involved. It is an account of a planned, practical activity,
leading to measurements/results, which may be in a laboratory or on location. As with a journal
entry, a practical entry should begin with the date and type of entry. This should be followed by an
objectives section, which describes what is expected to be achieved. If appropriate, some
background information may be included under a suitable heading. A plan of activities should
follow under the heading of "Procedure", and if applicable, a list of
equipment/hardware/measurement used with serial numbers under an appropriate heading. The
various results and outcomes of the activities described in the procedure should be entered under
the heading "Results". Practical logbook entries should have conclusions summarising the
achievements and recommendations for further action.
During the course of the project, you will accumulate copies of reference documents, journal
papers, data sheets, background information etc. These should be kept in a properly indexed
file so that you can readily find items when they are needed.
Undertaking a project should begin with a comprehensive information search and literature
review. The purpose of the research phase is to:
• Investigate publications by others in the same, or related, fields. The intention should be
to avoid repetition of work previously undertaken by others. Rather you should aim to benefit
from the progress made so that you can build upon previous experience, compare ideas and
approaches, extend knowledge and develop new applications. Typical sources include journal
publications, conference papers and university theses. These should all be appropriately cited,
using the Harvard system, in your work.
• Explore the wider context for the work. This could include legal and regulatory aspects -
European directives, patents, etc.; British and ISO Standards; financial aspects - costs/financial
constraints and targets to be achieved. Typical sources include reference publications and
various web sites. Again it is essential to make appropriate reference, citing the source
correctly, in your work.
The literature review should lead to an evaluation of your findings and their influence on your
plans to achieve your project aims. You should discuss your research findings with your
supervisor and obtain feedback on progress and direction of the project. It may be that certain
project objectives need to be reconsidered in the light of your findings and proposals for
modification, with justification, should be included.
Initial research is an element of assessment in the Autumn Progress Review and in the week
Research Report. Refer to the assessment criteria in sections 11.1 and 11.2.
You should meet your supervisor to discuss your findings – discussion and feedback
should provide a valuable contribution towards the overall success of the project.
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By the Friday of week 4 (refer to the calendar), you should have submitted a full Project
Proposal Document. The document outlines the project aim and how it is to be achieved.
Achieving the overall aim will involve a variety of activities such as investigation, research,
experiment, design, theoretical analysis and product creation. These should be expressed as a
number of objectives. The objectives can be viewed as stepping-stones on the way to achieving
the main aim.
The full proposal document (typically 5-10 sides of A4, including a front sheet and diagrams)
should typically comprise the following (some headings may not be applicable):
Rationale
Outline the value and benefits to be derived from the project and in particular who will
gain from it apart from you. What contribution will it make to the function of a company,
organisation or other defined set of individuals or group?
Tasks/activities
Resources
Expenditure
Estimated expenditure, if applicable. Note that the budget for projects is limited and any
expected costs should be identified to your supervisor.
Schedule
You are required to create a Gantt chart (template available via Moodle site)
demonstrating your approach to time management, taking into account revision time and
exams. A realistic time should be planned for each task. It is expected that further
iterations of this Gantt chart will be created, dated and presented as part of the Poster
Presentation & Viva.
Risk assessment
Any potential sources of health and safety risk should be identified and ways of
eliminating the hazard discussed with your supervisor. This heading must be included. If
you assess there to be no risks, there should be a statement to this effect.
The Project Proposal Document is of key importance. It is the basis for all the project activity
throughout the rest of the academic year and how it is formulated will have a significant
influence on the ultimate success of the project. The project proposal should demonstrate that:
• The project aim and objectives are consistent with your course title, covering an
appropriate area of investigation and activity.
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• The objectives provide opportunity and scope for demonstrating honours degree level
attributes of creativity, analysis, reasoning and judgment.
If you wish to make significant changes to the project aim after initial approval, the
revised aims and rationale must be agreed with the supervisor and a revised Registration
Form and Proposal Document must be submitted and approved.
Methodology is particularly associated with how the project aim is to be achieved. It covers what
methods have been selected, their justification and what the alternatives were. A good
methodology will increase the validity and reliability of the outcomes. At this stage you should be
demonstrating an understanding of the different approaches that could be taken.
Selecting the most appropriate methods is essential for efficient and successful achievement of
the project aim and is dependent on activity early on the project cycle.
In your review meeting you should be prepared to answer questions on the areas covered by
the Progress Summary Document including formulation of objectives, alternative approaches
and methods that could have been applied and a justification for those that you are applying or
plan to use and initial research findings. What is required from your research? Have you
considered both project-specific and wider issues such as financial and environmental aspects?
Two copies of the Progress Summary document should be brought to the Autumn Progress
Review meeting. The document should be up to two sides of A4, plus any diagrams (flow chart /
Gantt chart). The 12 point font text should be well-spaced with the use of bullet-points and
concise, succinct statements to facilitate easy assimilation by the assessors within the first 2-3
minutes of the review meeting.
General Aim
State the overall aim, as it appears in the full proposal document, with modification if
applicable and as approved by supervisor.
Objectives
List objectives as stated in the full proposal document, with modification if applicable and
approved by supervisor.
Evaluation
• Critical review of previous research in chosen field. Evaluate key texts, journals
and other sources which you have investigated. For each state briefly their
(expected) contribution towards achieving the project aims. Where there is lack of
progress there should be brief explanation.
• Gantt chart – this may have been revised since the Full Project Proposal. It is
important that you date and save each version of your Gantt chart as this will be
required for the Poster Presentation & Viva as part of the documentary evidence
of your approach to the management of the project.
1. Introduction
The introduction should cover briefly the problem definition, rationale and statement of
aims and objectives. It may be the same as the relevant sections of the Full Project
Proposal. The reason for including it again is to enable this report to be a stand-alone
document which can be read without reference to previous documents. Also, changes
and developments to objectives may well occurred since the autumn. If applicable, the
reasons for changes/developments should be outlined in the next section, the review of
progress.
2. Review of progress
Evidence of progress should make reference to your Gantt chart, or other work plan,
accounting for time spent to date and to your discussions with your supervisor. Include a
brief description of research activity and, depending on the nature of the project, you
could also include, with examples, a brief description of results obtained,
designs/sketches, specifications, skills acquired, etc. In making progress towards
achieving project objectives you are likely to encounter problems. Provide a brief outline
of these and how they have been solved.
3. Methodology
You should clearly describe and justify your chosen methodology and proposed
implementation. Limitations of the chosen method should be identified and ways to
overcome them suggested. Depending on the project subject area methodology could
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include a design process or subject-specific approach. It could also include the choice of
apparatus, equipment, software etc. If the chosen methods are flawed, or fail to include
better approaches which could have been considered, the validity of the results and
findings may be undermined. However, compromises have to be accepted, for example
in time and cost. Such limitations and problems should be identified together with how
they are to be overcome and/or the compromises that will have had to be made. As
research progresses, you should have been reviewing your objectives and methodology
in the light of your research findings. Consider the validity and appropriateness of your
approach to achieving the project objectives and describe the influence of your research
on your methodology. Draw attention to, and provide justification for, any developments
and changes that have been made since you submitted the proposal document.
You are required to present an annotated ‘Contents’ section. Taking the template for the
Main Report as a guide, you should discuss how you are looking to address each aspect.
Sections may be incomplete at this stage but you should be able to offer some insight to
how each area will be addressed. Your approach to this framework should demonstrate
the potential for comprehensive consideration of the project topic and aim, interpretation,
explanation, analysis, comparison, evaluation and judgement. Your research should
have involved a comprehensive review of literature and other sources relevant to the
project. For this section you should be demonstrating how this research will be drawn
upon in your Main Report. Summarise briefly your main findings taking into consideration
both project specific and associated issues such as financial and environmental aspects.
Identify a few key sources drawn from the range of formats explored, which should
include books, journals and, as applicable, ISO standards, manufacturers’ data, and
other sources. Within the annotated contents you should consider the following:
• In what areas are you expecting to ‘add value’, i.e. your own contribution, in areas
such as synthesis, analysis, design, development?
• What treatment of the results and what analysis will you be undertaking? What
questions will it answer?
• What issues do you expect to consider and what questions will it answer?
Appendices
Your report should be presented in a formal academic style (see guidance for the Main Report).
Sources should be cited correctly in the text and listed in a reference section at the end of the
document. There should also be a separate bibliography section of relevant background
reading. The assessment criteria in section 11.2 provide additional indication of requirements.
Word count should be between 1150 – 1250 words (main body of the text, i.e. this does not
include the title page, contents, list of references and bibliography).
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8.0 MAIN PROJECT REPORT
The project report (and associated product if applicable) is the culmination of the Individual
Project. It has a weighting of 70% of the project assessment and thus requires appropriate time
and care in its production.
The source material for the project report should have been developed and recorded in the
logbook during the course of the academic year. It is easy to underestimate the time it takes to
convert the source material into a finished final account and you should start planning well in
advance of the submission date given in the calendar.
Note that the report should be your own work and should not contain extended extracts
from the work of others. Brief quotations for work that is cited should be identified in
quotation marks and should always be appropriately referenced to the source.
Paraphrasing the work of others also requires citation and referencing.
A total of three copies of the project report – two paper and an electronic copy – will be required.
of the two paper copies must be ‘comb’ bound – allow sufficient time for this to be completed
before the hand-in deadline. Notes on the content of the report are covered below. The
assessment criteria in section 11.3 provide additional indication on requirements.
Refer to the project report template in Moodle. The main project report should be a stand-alone
document that can be read independently of other documents and should include the following
sections:
An abstract, i.e. a summary of the report (100-200 words), which should cover the topic,
aim, methodology and main findings (quantitative if applicable) and conclusions.
A contents page listing chapter and section headings with page numbers.
A main account of no less than 8,000 words and no more than 10,000 words. Marks will
be lost if this is not adhered to. You should state your word count at the bottom of the
contents page. The word count does not include the title page, abstract,
acknowledgements, contents, glossary etc, references, bibliography and appendices.
The content of the main account will depend upon the nature of the project, but unless
clearly not necessary it should include the main chapter headings and, as applicable,
section headings shown in the list below. Alternative heading titles and sub-division may
be used as appropriate to the particular project content – advice should be taken from
your supervisor.
The structure for the main account can be based on the following:
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1.0 INTRODUCTION
A statement of the problem, with its significance and origin, making reference as
applicable to a company or industry, that led to the project.
1.2 Scope
1.3 Rationale
Why has the topic been chosen? This may be because of lack of research in the area, to
shed more ideas and opinion, in response to a request, e.g. from company or
organisation, or a relevant current issue. It should be more than for personal interest –
you should be able to identify a company, organisation or other defined group that will
benefit from the work.
There should be a brief and precise statement of overall aim – what is intended to be
attained. There should follow a list, using bullet points, of objectives –the completion of
which will lead to attainment of the aim. The objectives are developed out of the aims
and can be viewed as stepping-stones on the way to attainment of the aims. Bloom’s
Taxonomy can help when writing objectives (see Moodle site).
Further sections of background information will depend on the topic area of the project,
but could include hypotheses, theory, etc. which is to be tested in the course of
undertaking the project and industrial/contextual information and influences.
Depending on the scope of the project, this section may be entitled Literature Survey or
you could use an appropriate subject-specific heading. It should be a review of the
research work undertaken from the beginning of the year, but which should also have
continued through the year, following up additional information of relevance arising for
example, from feedback from your supervisor. It is important to include commentary.
Concepts, theories and opinions need to be critically evaluated and the reasons for
application of the concepts and their relevance to the solution of the problem need to be
established.
The outcomes of your research are especially important for ensuring that you are
applying the appropriate methodology towards achieving the aims of the project. In your
report you should include full consideration and justification of your approach, as
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described in the next chapter.
3.0 METHODOLOGY
This section of the report should include a description and a justification of the selected
methods used. Success of the project depends upon careful selection of appropriate
methodology which is why it is emphasised in the Autumn Progress Review (refer to
section 6 of this document), although it may well have developed since then. A good
methodology increases the validity and reliability of the outcomes. It should be laid out
clearly in the main report.
The record in the report should include description of alternative approaches and
justification for those selected. It could cover a design process or other subject-specific
method as applicable to the project topic. Depending on the type of project, it should
also cover the choice of apparatus, equipment, software etc. It should be possible for
someone else to repeat any experimental or research aspects of the project and expect
to obtain the same data.
Methodology is not about what ‘secondary’ sources were identified. Mention of texts and
journal papers that were found belong within the literature survey and should be reviewed
in the ‘review of existing knowledge’ section. Also, methodology does not include the
results/outcomes of application of the chosen methods. These are presented in the
Results section.
4.0 RESULTS
All results should be clearly presented and, for practical/experimental /technical projects,
there should be sections of calculations, analysis and/or other treatment of results as
applicable. For business and management related projects the presentation of findings
may be integrated within discussion sections as referred to below. In this case there may
be separate suitably titled headings for each major objective being considered. Refer to
your supervisor for guidance.
5.0 DISCUSSION
6.0 CONCLUSIONS
The conclusions should be a short summary of the important results and findings arising
from the results and discussion chapters. It is important to ensure that the conclusions
address the original project objectives and reflect the main discussion. You should not
include any new information or discussion in this section.
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Many projects follow on from previous work and, owing to time constraints and the
generation of ideas whilst undertaking the work, lead on to the possibility of further work.
These recommendations should be summarised briefly.
8.0 REFERENCES
Full, correct and appropriate referencing of all sources used in undertaking the
project is an essential requirement of a good report and necessary to avoid
allegations of plagiarism.
Use of, and reference to, a selection of relevant texts, journals and appropriate internet
sources should enhance your work, reinforce the validity of your results and findings and
demonstrate that you are familiar with accepted knowledge and thinking in the subject
area. Reference sources should be selected to be comprehensive, appropriate and
current. They should be well integrated with the text and cited in accordance with the
University's standard (Harvard) method, as described in the Project module site in
Moodle and in Learning Centre tip sheets.
Note that any use of sources that are not cited, or that are cited incorrectly, may
lead to allegations of plagiarism.
9.0 BIBLIOGRAPHY
A bibliography is a list of relevant source texts not directly cited in the report.
10.0 APPENDICES
Appendices, which should have short titles, are separate documents appended at the
end of the report. Only include appendices if they are necessary to explain particular
details to understand the main report.
The report should be written in your own words and should not contain extended extracts
from the work of others. It is possible to use direct quotes but these must not account for
more than 10% of your report. Direct quotes should be identified by using inverted commas and
should be appropriately referenced. Additional resources to assist you with referencing can be
found on the intranet homepage under Info Links.
The Faculty standard for degree project reports is similar to papers in technical/professional
journals. Examples can be found by referring to journals in your field of study.
Producing a readable account requires a logical structure to lead the reader from one discussion
point to the next and through from one section/chapter to the next. It also requires that care be
taken over spelling, punctuation and grammar. Any significant errors are liable to cause a
reader to suspect that the content of the report may also be flawed.
The language for the report should be straightforward jargon-free English, written in
conventional style using the conventional third person past tense, and readable by someone
familiar with the general subject area, although not an expert in the specific topic.
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The following conventions should be used and care should be taken to maintain a consistent
style throughout the document.
Aim to maintain a consistent approach throughout. Use Arial font size 11. Type to a left hand
margin that is 35 mm wide to allow for binding. Use 1.5 lines spacing between lines and double
spacing between paragraphs. Do not indent at the start of a paragraph. Type on one side of
the page only.
Mathematical symbols
Mathematical symbols and equations are best entered using a package such as Equation
Editor. Equations should be numbered in the right hand margin and referred to in the text.
When figures are referred to in the text they should be typed thus: Fig. 3, i.e. with a
space between Fig. and the number following. When tables are referred to in text they
should be typed in full thus: Table 5, i.e. with a space between Table and the number
following.
The word “Figure’’ should be shortened to “Fig.” at the beginning of figure captions. It
should also be shortened to Fig. in the text except where it begins a sentence, when it
should be spelled out – “Figure”.
Figure captions should appear below the figure, with the caption in lower case and an
initial capital for the first word and proper nouns only. The caption should be centred, for
example:-
Table headings should always appear above the table. The table heading should be typed in the
following way:-
Text headings
Main section, major, headings, should be in capitals and centred on the line. Leave a
space of two lines above such headings and one below.
Section headings should be lower case with capital letters for the first letter of the first
word, and placed at the left hand margin. Leave a space of two lines above such
headings and one below.
Sub-section headings can be in italics, leaving a space above and below the heading.
Pagination
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Starting on the Introduction page, pages should be numbered using decimal numerals (1, 2, 3,
etc.). Pages prior to the Introduction page should have Roman numerals (i, ii, iii, iv, etc.)
Binding
There should be two hard copies of the main report, both comb bound, with card title and back
covers and a front coursework submission sheet. Facilities for comb binding are available in the
Learning Centre.
The deadline for the three report deliverables, which should be submitted to the IT Helpdesk
each with its appropriate coursework submission sheet, is given in the intranet myTEE / My
Course.
• Two paper copies of the report, both comb bound and each with the appropriate
coursework record form as the front sheet.
• The electronic copy of the report on CD should be put into a clear plastic wallet together
with the appropriate coursework record form. You are also requested to include a completed
copyright waver form, Appendix 2, to allow the Learning Centre to electronically scan your report
for publication on the UCEEL Electronic Library.The CD copy of report may be used to make a
check for unreferenced or copied work from other sources.
To be recorded as meeting the deadline, the three copies of the report (two comb bound paper
and the CD) must be submitted together, to the IT Helpdesk, by 14:00 on the date given in the
intranet myTEE / My Course. An extension of up to 10 working days to the deadline, for
exceptional circumstances, may be claimed in the same way as for coursework for other
modules, using the claim form available from Registry Reception, Level 3. Refer to the
Undergraduate Student Course Handbook for details about claims. If the reports are submitted
late, within 5 days of the submission deadline, but without an upheld claim for extension, a mark
cap of 40% will apply to the report in the same way as for other module assessments.
The poster session is held toward the end of the academic year – refer to the dates in the
calendar. Students will display their project work in the form of a poster outlining their projects
and summarising achievements. Each student will be limited to one A1 sized board, the layout
for which should be ‘portrait’. You should attend the relevant tutorial sessions on how to create
a poster.
Display Boards will be set up in the Level 4 exam suite on the morning of Monday of week 29.
Each board will be numbered. You will be allocated a Display Board Number when you
collect a blank poster card from the Learning Centre reception desk. A list of students and
supervisors, will be placed on the Learning Centre Notice board and on Moodle.
You should attach the poster to your allocated display board from 1400 hrs on the Monday of
week 29 and before 1000 hrs on the Tuesday using Velcro fasteners provided on entry to
exam suite. Part-time day-release students may attach their boards by 1000 hrs on their normal
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day of attendance.
The assessment should take place between Monday 1400 hrs and Friday 1400 hrs. There
may be a single interview with both supervisor and 2nd assessor present or, alternatively, two
separate interviews.
Although a guidance schedule will be issued by the Final Year Projects Coordinator, It is your
responsibility to confirm / arrange the time of interview(s) with your supervisor and 2nd assessor
well in advance. If you have valid reason for being unable to arrange a suitable time within the
5-day period, you may, subject to prior approval of your Project Co-ordinator, arrange an
alternative time, which should by the end of the second week in June.
The poster session is a test and other than for prior approved re-scheduling, if you do not
attend you will not be assessed and will get a zero mark. As for other assessments, if you
miss the assessment, you may submit a claim for extenuating circumstances to the University’s
Representations Committee, normally at least 7 days prior to the due date. You may obtain
details of the claims procedure from Level 3 Registry Reception.
After your poster assessment, you should leave your poster on the display board. Posters
will be retained by the Project Co-ordinator for viewing by external examiners and the exam
board. Following the exam board, posters not required for Faculty use will be available for return
to students.
The main purpose of the assessment is not to judge the aesthetic appearance of the poster
itself. Rather, it is:
• to describe what you have done in an informal setting and to an audience not necessarily
expert in the field of study.
• to demonstrate your understanding of what you have done and defend the approach and
conclusions by answering questions during the presentation/interview.
Assessment for the poster/viva session counts for 10% of the project marks. The marks
breakdown is included in chapter 14.
A poster session is a common term used in conferences. It enables people to present their
academic work without having to make a formal presentation. The poster is not exactly like an
advertising poster but some of the techniques of advertising technical products could be used to
advantage. Project Co-ordinators can direct you to examples of posters from previous years. It
is also worth a visit to a technology exhibition such as at the NEC to see industrial examples.
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Space and Title
The Learning Centre will provide you with an A1 size card, which is the size of eight A4 sheets.
To enable you to get a good layout you should not have more than six A4 sheets on your
display. The display should be ‘portrait’ (not ‘landscape’) layout. This is necessary because
of the size of the display boards. You must have your name and title of your project on the
poster.
Layout
The writing should be readable from a metre or so away from the page, so use a large typeface.
Microsoft PowerPoint is an example of a package which will give you some good and quick
layout options and the word processor font is easily modified. Remember the old adage that a
picture is worth a thousand words. This is particularly true when you can include graphs and
diagrams.
Contents
The poster should contain all of the essential elements of the work and be visually attractive.
Include only the things that are really important in your project. Try to think what elements of
your work will be most interesting to your audience. This will be a major piece of work in your
degree - present yourself and your project in the best possible way - it will leave a lasting
impression.
Audience
Although formally assessed by the project supervisor and 2nd assessor the poster session will
also be an open event. Some of the external examiners for the undergraduate programme may
attend, year 2 students will be invited to look at the posters and industrialists and other guests
may be invited. It is therefore important that you should be available at other times in the week if
requested in advance.
Training Sessions
The Learning Centre runs training sessions on how to produce posters. Sessions are advertised
in advance and are held about two weeks prior to the assessment week.
The arrangements for return of project reports following the July Examination Board meetings
are as follows: reports for projects gaining an overall mark of 65+%, are transferred to the
Learning Centre where they are scanned and made available electronically - please complete
the form Appendix 2 - for general access on a reference only basis. Projects reports that are
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identified as confidential (such as for certain part-time students’ company based projects), which
should have a note to that effect on the title page, will not be made available for public access.
Instead they will be returned to the project supervisor.
One paper copy of each report is retained by the Project Coordinator for a minimum of one year
in case of query, for any audit requirements and/or for supervisor use in project development
work. After that time, if not required by the supervisor or other member of academic staff, the it
will be returned to the student provided a request is made before the end of October (i.e one
year and three months after the Examination Board meeting), or disposed of. The second copy
of the project report if not required by the supervisor and, if not required for TEE use, it will be
returned to the student, provided a request is made before the end of October following
submission.
10.2 Poster
All posters are retained for the July examination board meeting. Posters not required for TEE
use will be available for return to students. Some posters are retained by the TEE for future
display. Those not required will be returned to the student, provided a request is made before
the end of October following submission.
Assessment
Number Description Weighting Page No
Total 100%
Assessment is undertaken by the supervisor and a second assessor using the assessment
breakdown and criteria for each item as outlined on the following pages. On completion of all
the assessments by the supervisor and second assessor, there is a moderation process.
Projects are selected for scrutiny by a panel using the criteria under the heading Project
Moderation, chapter 15. The moderation panel may recommend modification of the marks to
achieve consistency of assessment standard.
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11.1 Autumn Progress Review
There should be a brief (5 minutes maximum) oral statement to supplement the summary
progress document (2 copies to be brought to the review meeting). The assessors, normally the
supervisor and second assessor, will then ask questions for up to about 15 minutes on
objectives/methodology and initial research. In the table below, the appropriate mark in % is
multiplied by the element weighting. The sum for the three elements leads to an overall mark,
maximum 100 %.
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There is an insufficient description and consideration of alternative 30–39
approaches.
Inappropriate methods described. Little or no consideration of 0-29
alternative approaches.
The report is submitted at week 14. In the table below, the appropriate mark in % is multiplied
by the element weighting. The sum for the 2 elements gives the overall percentage mark.
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included. Style and language generally in accordance with the
guidelines although there may be some minor deficiencies. There
is demonstration of ability to cite references correctly.
Report generally follows guidelines including all main elements. 50–59
There may be some shortcomings in clarity and some minor
omissions of content. There is demonstration of ability to cite
references correctly.
Includes major elements but there may be omissions or 40–49
shortcomings. The text may have significant shortcomings in style,
language and/or lack of conciseness. It may not be
straightforward to follow. However, there should be adequate
demonstration of ability to present a readable account and an
attempt to appropriately reference it but there are shortcomings.
Serious shortcomings but enough indication of ability to suggest 30–39
some additional work should lead to a pass standard. There may
be some error or lack of evidence in citing references in the report.
Report has substantial shortcomings in most or all aspects. 0-29
The project report is the culmination of the Media Technology Project. The report should be
capable of being read independently of any other documentation.
In the table below, the appropriate mark in % is multiplied by the element weighting. The sum
for the 4 elements leads to an overall mark, maximum 100 %.
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11.4 Poster presentation and viva
Presentations will be undertaken following submission of the project report. Students will
make a brief presentation to the supervisor and second supervisor and will also answer
questions about aspects of the project. In the table below, the appropriate mark in % is
multiplied by the element weighting. The sum for the 3 elements leads to an overall mark,
maximum 100 %.
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responses to questions on key points of
knowledge/understanding.
Serious shortfall in ability to explain fundamentals, but should be 30–39
able to reach pass standard with some additional preparation.
Responses are incoherent or display lack of essential knowledge 0-29
and/or relevance.
Evidence of Evidence of excellent project management skills demonstrated 70-100
appropriate through a variety of documentary evidence.
project Evidence of good project management skills demonstrated 60–69
management through a range of documentary evidence.
0.4 A fair approach to the management of the project demonstrated 50–59
through documentary evidence.
Evidence of adequate project management skills demonstrated 40–49
through documentary evidence.
Inadequate approach to project management, poorly documented. 30–39
Little or no evidence of an appropriate approach to project 0-29
management.
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12.0 Project Moderation
On completion of assessment by two assessors there is a moderation process. The moderation
panel selects projects for consideration by the panel using the following typical descriptors:
Mark 70 % and above: evidence of much work of the highest quality leading to achievement of
demanding objectives. The report demonstrates inventiveness and ability to analyse complex
theory/concepts and relate them to practice. Content builds on knowledge/skills from higher
level course modules, with depth in areas relevant to the degree title. There is extensive use of
relevant sources, which are referenced through the text. Interpretation and analysis of findings
is full, and alternative approaches and wider issues are considered. Report closely follows
conventions with no major shortcomings in structure, style or language.
Mark 60 - 69 %: evidence of much good quality work, competently undertaken, and leading to
achievement of demanding objectives, but not demonstrating the highest intellectual calibre
associated with first class honours. The report demonstrates methodical care and competence
in solving problems and in the treatment of information and results. Content involves
knowledge/skills from course modules, with depth in areas relevant to the degree title. There is
evidence of extensive research, but the benefit to the work, and in general the analysis and
consideration of wider issues, is not fully explored. The report closely follows conventions with
no major shortcomings in structure, style or language.
Mark 40 - 49 %: there is evidence of adequate ability and sufficient effort towards achievement
of undemanding, but appropriate, objectives. There is demonstration of a reasonable quantity of
relevant work, but without the investigative background, depth, or analysis associated with
higher classifications There is evidence of some research, but the analysis is limited, and wider
issues are not explored. However, there is evidence of ability to manipulate relevant data in a
manner, and with comments, demonstrating an adequate level of understanding for the award.
The report contains necessary major sections, but may suffer from significant shortcomings.
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APPENDIX 1, MEDIA TECHNOLOGY PROJECT, SYLLABUS
Indicative content
Projects may be university or industry based. There are a range of project topics
according to the course title. Projects topics may also be student proposed, subject to
approval. The project title should be appropriate to the student’s course and provide
sufficient scope for the exploration of technology or for the subject matter to be
investigated in a suitably scientific manner appropriate to a BSc. Assistance with
selecting a project is through guidance notes, tutorials, meetings and on-line
resources. The project co-ordinator will, in consultation with supervisors, establish the
suitability of proposed projects. Each student will be assigned an academic supervisor
who will monitor progress and provide guidance.
Completing the project involves specifying an aim, formulating objectives, planning,
managing activities and resources, considering alternative approaches and
techniques, researching literature and information for topic-specific and wider issues,
devising solutions and if applicable an artefact, analysing, evaluating and verifying
results, maintaining records, recording progress and documenting outcomes.
The first deliverable is a proposal document which follows the registration of the
project. The document outlines the project aim and how it is to be achieved, expressed
as a number of objectives, rationale, tasks/activities, resources, expenditure, schedule
and safety assessment. The project proposal document is the foundation for the
project activity through the academic year and benefits from formative feedback. The
proposal document must be approved to authorise the project to proceed and is
considered as part of the final assessment as one aspect of the project’s
management.
The Autumn progress review is held towards the end of the autumn term. Evidence
considered at progress review can include short written progress/evaluation
documents and brief presentations and question/answer sessions as applicable to the
course.
Before the mid-point of the year students submit a brief research report which
includes a discussion of the chosen methodology and plans for the main report.
The main report is the culmination of the project module and is submitted towards the
end of the scheduled duration. The guidance notes require the content and format of
reports to follow accepted conventions appropriate to the study area. The main report
will allow for the exploration of existing research in the chosen area, going on to detail
the student’s chosen methodology and findings. The analysis and verification of
results may be achieved through comparison to established theory, techniques,
experimentation or via the creation of an artefact. The knowledge gained will be
discussed, conclusions drawn and recommendations for further study highlighted.
A final project viva is undertaken after submission of the main report. The
presentation, supported by appropriate visual media, offers the opportunity to reflect
on the project and for students to demonstrate depth of knowledge and defend the
approach and conclusions through response to questions. The presentation provides
occasion for the discussion of the approach to project management and students are
required to bring documentary evidence to support this.
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Intended Learning Outcomes and the means by which they are to be achieved and
demonstrated.
Learning Outcome Learning and Teaching Methods
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Assessment and feedback
Formative Assessment
Opportunities for formative assessment will be provided in supervisor meetings,
through online directed study activities, via the university’s VLE.
Summative Assessment
Feedback
Written feedback is provided for each element of summative assessment via the
coursework return system. Feedback for formative assessment is both written, as for
the proposal document, and informal at for example at meetings with supervisor, on-
line and email. There is also opportunity for informal feedback at tutorial sessions.
Related Modules
The Project is undertaken during the academic year in which the student expects to
complete the requirements for the award of Bachelor of Science Degree (ordinary) or
Bachelor of Science Degree with Honours. Therefore, prior to enrolment there should
be substantial completion of level 4 and 5 modules such that the programme of study
for the academic year during which the Project is undertaken can lead at least to the
award of ordinary Bachelor’s Degree.
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Learning Resources
Reading Lists
BELL, J., 2005. Doing Your Research Project. Maidenhead: Open University Press.
SHARP, J. 2002. The Management of a Student Research Project, 3rd ed. Aldershot:
Gower.
Microsoft Office
Physical Resources
Classrooms for Final Year Project support tutorials. Particular resources may be
required depending on the nature of the individual project.
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APPENDIX 2, COPYRIGHT WAIVER
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
Course: _________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Student Agreement
1. I confirm that Birmingham City University can electronically archive and make accessible
the project / thesis described above via the UCEEL Electronic Library system. I retain all other
ownership rights to the copyright of the document / project work described above.
2. I confirm the above project / thesis is a true and unaltered representation of the project /
thesis as submitted to Birmingham City University course tutors and examiners.
3. I confirm that the above project / thesis includes / does not include (please delete as
appropriate) material copied from a source (e.g. a book) where ownership of the copyright does
not belong to myself.
If the project / thesis includes such material please supply the following details:
b) I have obtained and attached a written permission statement from the owner(s) of each third
party copyrighted matter included in my project / thesis
Yes No (please circle)
(If No, I understand the electronic copy of my project / thesis available on UCEEL will omit these
sections from view)
Signature: __________________________________________________________
Date: __________________________________________________________
N.B. If you are at anytime in consultation with a publisher regarding this work you will need to
declare the copy held on UCEEL. Some publishers may regard the UCEEL copy as constituting
prior publication. The copy can be removed from UCEEL if it becomes an obstacle to future
commercial publication.
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APPENDIX 3, PROJECT REGISTRATION
(Hons) Degrees, Media Technology Project UG3, 2010/2011
Please first refer to tutor-advertised project titles on the Learning Centre web site. If you
are proposing your own idea for a project, you should discuss it with the Project Co-
ordinator or other member of academic staff who you wish to supervise your project and
obtain their approval that it is appropriate for your course. Please note that a tutor signature in
support of a proposal does not necessarily indicate acceptance of supervision responsibility.
Supervisors are appointed by the Centre and in areas of over-demand an allocation process will
be implemented based on the proposal merit and date of receipt of this form. Priority will be
given to topics advertised/supported by staff. Initial allocations of supervisor may be revised
later.
1)Surname/Family
1) 2)
2) First/Given
Student Number
Course title
Tutor comments:
List the aim, provisional objectives and provide a brief statement of rationale. In
particular you need to discuss how aspects of technology will be explored in your project.
Refer to discussion with tutor. Note that the division project moderation committee may
require changes and/or additions to aim and objectives.
Rationale
Aim
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Objectives
Key Texts
Give details of at least 4 texts (at least 2 of which should be books) that you will be looking
to draw upon as part of your research. Offer some insight into how this material will support
your project, which areas in particular does each support?
Does this project involve human or animal subjects? YES / NO Please circle
(includes interviews, surveys, questionnaires)
If you answer YES, please refer to the research ethics check list form available via the
Final Year Project Resources accessible through myTEE and sign below to agree to abide
by the TEE / BCU research ethics regulations.
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APPENDIX 4, RESEARCH ETHICS APPROVAL FORM
Until your research proposal has been approved by the TEE you cannot proceed
with the research as planned. You should therefore complete and submit this
form well in advance of your proposed project start date.
Once you have completed this form with your Project Supervisor it should be
returned to The Chair of the TEE Research Ethics Committee via Registry.
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RESEARCH ETHICS INFORMATION SHEET
Summarise briefly the role of human subjects in the research, justifying why they
are needed and explaining clearly the nature of their participation:
Will any research subjects will be under the age of eighteen years? YES / NO
Identify briefly any potential risks to the subjects from participating in this
research:
Explain the process that you will adopt for obtaining informed consent from all
participant (and from Parents / Guardians if required):
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Explain briefly how potential participants in the project will be (i) identified, (ii)
approached and (iii) recruited to the research programme:
Explain the processes will you adopt to ensure the confidentiality of any personal
data collected from the research subjects and ensure that all data is held in full
compliance with the Data Protection Act:
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Explain how the identity of the subjects will be protected in any published
outputs from the research programme:
Are you or any of your co-researchers, in any position of power / authority over
any of the research subjects? If yes, please explain how any potential conflict of
interests or other issues will be avoided:
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RESEARCH PROJECT INFORMATION SHEET FOR
PARTICIPANTS
THE AIMS OF THE PROJECT: summarise why the research is being done
CONFIDENTIALITY
Include a statement which addresses confidentiality and security of information.
Indicate what data will be collected , who will have access to this data, the purposes for
which it will be used and for how long it will be kept following the completion of the
research.
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RESEARCH PARTICIPANT CONSENT FORM
PARTICIPANT DETAILS:
Name:
Address:
Telephone:
DOB (if under 18 years of age):
PARTICIPANT DECLARATIONS:
I have been informed of and understand the purposes of the research YES /
NO
I understand that I may request access to any data collected by the YES /
NO
researcher(s) that relates to me:
Date: Signature:
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APPENDIX 5
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Log of Supervisor / Student Final Year Project Meetings.
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