ENGGEN 794A/B : Research Project

Engineering

2024 Semester Two (1245) / 2025 Semester One (1253) (30 POINTS)

Course Prescription

A research project which requires a student to undertake a practical application in a temporary endeavour to deliver a product, service or specified outcome. May take the form of action research, project implementation and evaluation of modern advances in project management practices, or a project management oriented case study. Project will be conducted by students working individually within an existing project orientated team.

Course Overview

Research is a creative process that helps investigate problems scientifically and systematically. For many postgraduate students, the Research Project is the most exciting aspect and part of the programme. It gives you the opportunity to work independently to investigate a topic of interest to you personally. 

You will work independently under an academic supervisor who will guide you in completing your research project. This course spans over two consecutive semesters. It does not have any course assignments or tests during the duration of two semesters for this course. Instead, you will be responsible for preparing a report of about 10,000 to 12,000 words, which is to be submitted by the end of your second semester or part B of the course. You are expected to work on your research project, on an average of 10 hours per week over 30 study weeks. That is 300 hours in total – a substantial project. The course is supported by resources on Canvas that will walk you through the concepts and steps of conducting a research project.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: Departmental approval To complete this course students must enrol in ENGGEN 794 A and B, or ENGGEN 794

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Work independently to investigate a practical problem that has a research potential (Capability 4.2 and 5.1)
  2. Define objectives of a research project and scope projects tasks and activities to address the stated objectives (Capability 3.1 and 3.2)
  3. Critically evaluate potential solutions to an identified problem in the existing body of knowledge (Capability 3.1, 4.1 and 4.2)
  4. Communicate research ideas via written research proposals to stakeholders (Capability 6.1)
  5. Apply research skills appropriately to identify options and synthesise knowledge, primary data, and secondary data into practical solutions (Capability 3.1, 4.1 and 4.2)
  6. Act with integrity with respect to data collection and management including, but not limited to, ethics for human participants. (Capability 8.1 and 8.2)
  7. Communicate the research work through rigorous analysis, critical thinking and problem solving (Capability 3.2 and 6.1)
  8. Demonstrate ability to successfully deliver projects and provide evidence-based solutions (Capability 3.2, 4.2, 5.1, 6.1 and 8.1)

Assessments

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

Workload Expectations

This course is a 30-point research project course. Following University workload guidelines, a 30-point course represents about 300 hours of study. This may include reading, note-taking, face-to-face and/or online discussion, writing, problem-solving, data collection, site visits (if any), undertaking practical tasks, accessing learning and study resources, and report preparation and completion.


Delivery Mode

Campus Experience or Online

This course is offered in two delivery modes:

Campus Experience

This is an independent research project. Canvas modules are self-directed whilst using the supervisor for guidance and advice. Modules in this course can be used as resources to aid learning but no grades are associated with completing them. Meeting with supervisors can be arranged online or in person.

Online

This is an independent research project. Canvas modules are self-directed whilst using the supervisor for guidance and advice. Modules in this course can be used as resources to aid learning but no grades are associated with completing them. Meeting with supervisors can be arranged online or in person.

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.

No required textbook. Reading materials (journals, conference papers, etc.) on the selected topic are available in the library.

Health & Safety

Students are expected to adhere to the guidelines outlined in the Health and Safety section of the Engineering Postgraduate policies and guidelines. If the research topic requires the student to undertake a field trip or site visit for data collection, the health and safety measures will be discussed with the proposed supervisor and put in place before data collection takes place.

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.

A research project/Supervisor experience survey is an optional Qualtrics survey that collects student feedback to inform future supervision.

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.

Published on 29/05/2024 07:28 p.m.