What makes a good project?

 A testing ground for concepts presented in the taught programme  An opportunity to demonstrate the ability to apply knowledge and skills, and to define and analyse problems  An opportunity to practise and develop personal skills

Is a coherent and, extended account on a topic of conceptual and/or technical exercise – it demonstrates that you:  Comprehend principles underpinning the matter being investigated/developed  Have considered alternative approaches to investigating and analysing the issue

 Have examined, by obtaining primary and secondary data, alternative solutions to the problem  Have demonstrated a critical evaluative approach  Have drawn relevant conclusions  Can present information in a clear and logical form using charts, diagrams etc as appropriate

The criteria used in the approval of a project might include:  Is it related to the student’s own range of interests?  Is it related to the aims and objectives of the course?  Is it related to more than one of the subject areas of the course?  Does it combine an academic approach (e.g. A literature search and review with some practical work (e.g. systems design or software development or software evaluation)

 Is the problem reasonably open-ended?  Will it require an original contribution from the student?  Are the resources required readily available?  An MSc project should provide the opportunity to develop problem-solving, decision making, and evaluative skills.

 Students should be encouraged to initiate their own projects  See suggested lists in course material  Discuss ideas with members of staff familiar with the chosen area  Project panel may accept a proposal or refer it back to the student with comments and for discussion with a member of the panel or potential supervisor

 Copies of past project reports are available to students in the library