COMPSYS 700A/B : Research Project

Engineering

2024 Semester One (1243) / Semester Two (1245) (30 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Students are required to submit a report on project work carried out on a Computer Systems Engineering topic assigned by the Head of Department. The work shall be supervised by a member of staff.

Course Overview

The Part IV Research Project provides an opportunity for students to work largely on their own initiative (but under constant supervision), on a topic of interest for Computer Systems Engineers. The research project counts as two courses (a total of 30 points), one in each semester. Work takes place over a complete academic year, requiring you to enroll in both COMPSYS 700A and 700B courses.

Although you will be working in groups of two under the direction and continuing guidance of a project supervisor, the research project requires independent thought and action. We hope that you will feel a personal sense of achievement by the end of the academic year. The project can also be seen within a professional context where you, as an engineer, have to investigate a particular problem in some depth and produce both an analysis of the problem and its solution. The basis of the solution will include formal reports, a seminar presentation, and an industrial exhibition display.

Individual grades are awarded for this research project. 

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: COMPSYS 301, and 45 points from COMPSCI 313, COMPSYS 302-305, ELECTENG 303, 331, 332 Restriction: COMPSYS 401 To complete this course students must enrol in COMPSYS 700 A and B

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 7: Collaboration

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Retrieve, assess, and evaluate existing research outcomes and technologies relevant to the field of research. (Capability 3.1 and 3.2)
  2. Classify, summarise, explain, and critique the basic findings of the literature review and identify gaps in the current knowledge so as to synthesise an exemplary problem statement, propose research questions, and formulate research hypotheses. (Capability 4.1 and 4.2)
  3. Demonstrate clearly knowledge of the underlying theory, methods, procedures, and required experiments and/or simulations and how they actually relate to the research questions or hypotheses. (Capability 3.1, 3.2 and 5.1)
  4. Demonstrate clearly the ability to correctly use the theory and research methods, use data to extract appropriate models, cluster data into relevant groups, extract major and minor components, perform statistical analysis, organise data into appropriate tables, graphs, and diagrams, interpret data and compare them with previously published data, address the validity or inappropriateness of the data (discussing possible limitations), critique and recommend future improvements for the experimental design and the research direction. (Capability 5.1)
  5. Design, develop, evaluate, and experimentally validate appropriate solutions for the selected research questions, demonstrating proficiency related to computer system design. (Capability 5.1 and 7.1)
  6. Demonstrate the proficiency in engineering / technical writing by being able to generate a technical research report summarising the research findings and to create a research compendium containing all the required supplementary information. (Capability 6.1 and 7.1)
  7. Provide and deliver a public presentation and an exhibit to an audience with broad background knowledge about the findings of the research project. (Capability 6.1)
  8. Provide knowledgeable and logical explanations and expert opinions in relation to the research findings. (Capability 6.1)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Portfolio 100% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Portfolio

Workload Expectations

The research project counts as two courses (a total of 30 points), one in each semester. Work takes place over a complete academic year, requiring you to enroll in both 700A and 700B courses.

Students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in. This includes regular meeting with the supervisor(s), working on the practical parts of the research and conduct experiments in addition to reading the required materials (related to literature review or the background knowledge relevant to the research project).

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities to complete all the components of the course.

The activities for the course are scheduled using a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Health & Safety

There is a Health & Safety induction scheduled for delivery at the beginning of Semester 1, and all students are required to complete it.

Students are expected to adhere to the guidelines outlined in the Health and Safety section of the Engineering Undergraduate Handbook.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

The list of proposed final year research project topics will be announced a few weeks before the beginning of Semester 1.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.