SOFTENG 700A/B : Research Project
Engineering
2024 Semester One (1243) / Semester Two (1245) (30 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
Course Requirements
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
- Retrieve, assess, and evaluate existing research outcomes and technologies relevant to the field of research. (Capability 3.1 and 3.2)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- Design, develop, evaluate, and experimentally validate appropriate solutions for the selected research questions, demonstrating proficiency related to software design. (Capability 5.1 and 7.1)
- 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)
- Prepare 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)
- 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 |
| 100% |
| 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 SOFTENG 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.
Lectures will be available as recordings.
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
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.