London Metropolitan University Islington College BSc (Hons) Computer Networking and IT Security BSc (Hons) Computing FC3P01 Final Year Project Module

FC3P01 Project Module This module provides an opportunity for you to extend your studies in particular fields of interest that appertain to your future career aspirations. Students are expected to bring together the academic content and skills developed in a range of modules in an interdisciplinary way.

FC3P01 Project Module 2 semesters long Quarter of your final year. 100% Coursework = 20% interim report + 40% final report 40% continuous assessment

FC3P01 Project Module Project Specification/Project Plan Interim Report Final Report Log Book Project Folder CD-ROM of computer-based project work Personal Development Portfolio Project Viva

Elements of Assessment Interim Report (20%) details progress to date assesses progress against project plan discusses work still left to do amends project plan to account for slippage (report writing guide available)

Elements of Assessment Final Report (40%) full account of project work undertaken include system documentation 2 copies, bound (report writing guide available)

Elements of Assessment Continuous Assessment (40%) Log Book Project Folder CD-ROM of computer-based project work

Elements of Assessment Some components are NOT assessed: Project Plan Personal Development Portfolio Project Viva However, they are all mandatory elements.

What is a Log Book? it is a progress document add to it regularly and date each entry mostly hand-written, with sketches etc. record meetings and their outcome

What is a Project Folder? printouts from program executions iterations of user interface design interim test results hardcopy of reference materials lever-arch or box file formative feedback from supervisors

What can go into the CD-ROM Folder? information and searches from the Web copies of reports and submissions software programmes email correspondence with your tutor email correspondence with external organisations/institutions content of participation in online forums

What is a Personal Development Portfolio? 1. Your skills strengths at the start of the project: where/how you acquired them e.g. from work experience or throughout specific areas of the taught parts of your course.   2. Your skill weaknesses at the start of the project: whether they are technical or non-technical skills and how you have planned to improve them e.g. online training tools, support from other students etc. 3. Your confidence level in tackling all parts of the project from proposal definition, systems analysis, design, implementation, testing and evaluation. Also how well you feel you can cope with the writing up of the report. 4. Your career aspirations and preferences. Also whether you believe that the project has helped you decide on a career path.

What is a Personal Development Portfolio? 5. How you felt about tackling a substantial implementation and how you found working by yourself i.e. your motivation levels and your personal time management.   6. Your skill strengths at the end of the course and how they contributed to your success. 7. Your skill weaknesses at the end of the course and where you were able to achieve the most improvement. 8. Your highlights and the aspect about your work that you are most proud of.

Making a good start Start early and get organised Identify your other commitments Maintain and monitor the project plan Do plenty of background reading Start the log book now Create a set of contingency plans Use your supervisor properly

FC3P01 Project Module Your needs: What parts of my course do I find interesting? What are my strengths? What are my weaknesses? What types of academic activity do I enjoy? What things do potential employers look for? What new skills or knowledge would I like to acquire? What personal constraints do I have?

Example Project Types Using FaceBook as a Virtual Learning Environment In-door room finder mobile app development Augmented Reality mobile app development Full-text search engine based on database programming XML representation of UML diagrams Development of an online Education Forum Developing an online database of Job Opening Development of a Student Portfolio System

Example Project Types A Comparative Study of Total Cost Ownership of Open Source vs Proprietary Software A Comparative Study of IT Security Policy (Application Access) in College Management Systems Comparative Study of Web Design Strategies A comparative study on Library Information System (LIS) based on Barcode and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Comparing and contrasting two or more different databases

Example Project Types Challenges and opportunities of IT outsourcing in Nepal E-CRM features in telecommunication websites Cloud computing in Education System A comparative study between perceived and realized benefits after adopting e-commerce Towards an effective adoption of ERP in Nepal A comparative study on Library Information System (LIS) based on Barcode and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)

Final Year Project Specification 1. Project Details   1. Project Details Title: Supervisor: Second Marker: Date Approved: 2. Introduction 3. Aim 4. Deliverables and Objectives 5. Suggested Starting Point 6. Estimated Costing and Resources Required 7. Bibliography

Completing your Project Specification 1. Project Details Title:   Supervisor: Second Marker: Date Approved: 2. Introduction In this section you should give an introduction and background to your project. About 10-15 lines should be adequate. 3. Aim In this section explain in general terms what you intend to achieve by the end of the project. 4. Deliverables and Objectives In addition to meeting the general requirements for the final year project as set out in the module guide, your specific objectives are set out below: In this section you should identify Specific deliverables (things you intend to produce) and objectives of the project. These do not need to include reporting as this is covered by the general requirements. You should have 4 or 5 specific objectives to your project.

Completing your Project Specification 5. Suggested Starting Point In this section give details of where you intend to start, for example focussed literature review, evaluative survey of current offerings, previous project/research results. 6. Estimated Costing and Resources Required In this section you should include estimated costs for the project in terms of components and equipment and a list of resources required, for example for example android devices, development software or subscription to websites/forums. 7. Bibliography In this section, give a list of books/papers/articles/e-resources which will provide a starting point in your literature survey. Include between 5-10 items here.

Project Plan - example

Project Plan - example

Project Plan - example

Project Plan Sample milestones: requirements elicitation problem modelling system analysis and specification system design module implementation and system integration system testing and evalaution documentation

Things to watch out for: FC3P01 Project Module Things to watch out for: client organisation problems time management plagiarism unexpected issues (e.g. illness)

FC3P01 Project Module How to do well: All assessed elements have to be undertaken to the highest professional level consistency and sustainability in-depth knowledge of project area consideration of contextual issues, alternative solutions etc. evaluative excellently delivered viva

FC3P01 Project Module References: Weaver, Philip., “Success in your Project – A Guide to Student System Development Projects”, Pearson Education Limited, 2004 Dawson, Christian. W., “Projects in Computing and Information Systems: A Student’s Guide”, (2nd Ed.) Pearson Education Limited, 2009