Final Year Project – ok lets get going !

1. Final Year Project – ok lets get going !

2. The Myth • If I ignore it ..it will go away

3. The Fact …that’s why you are here, cause you know it ain’t going away • It is a culmination of all that you are doing … to signify what you can achieve

4. Should you choose to take this mission on…………….. Lets talk about it

5. Management - Project coordinator • Tariq Aslam, Project Coordinator, t.aslam@coventry.ac.uk

6. Programme managers • Ethical hacking & Network security : Nazaraf Shah : • BIS/BIT : ParveenSamra • Informatics : Leon Smalov • Computer science : Mike Morgan • Computing : Mike Tyers • Networking and Mobile Computing, Software Engineering, Computer Technologies, Digital forensics and system network: Michael Odetayo • Games Technology : Chris Peters • Creative Computing : Peter Every • Multimedia computing : Richard Lane

7. You …… • 300com (Informatics) single size module , 10 credits • 303com (the rest) 1.5 size module , 15 credits

8. Role of the Project Module • To pull together what you know- different pieces (not every little bit..!) • And apply it in a major bit of work (called the project) • To develop and demonstrate • investigative, • organizational and • communication skills • To test the validity of a statement>

9. Ownership and responsibility ? Don’t panic ….We can help you … ….With your project But remember it is YOUR Final year Undergrad Project Take ownership right from the start..right now..yes now This means ownership and responsibility in -identifying -Conducting -and Handing in to appropriate undergraduate level 3 quality and within time We will help and guide you…>

10. The Process Work on and finalize DETAILED PROJECT PROPOSAL (10%) Project execution Mock Viva/presentations Supervisor allocations Final Project write up and hand in (90%) (Viva) Submit A4 PROJECT PROPOSAL Examination Board Consider a project Marks released The START

11. Composition of marks • Detailed Project proposal (10%) : initial intent , with aims, objectives and hypothesis • Presentation/ viva …lets talk about this in a second (next slide) • Project Report (90%) : Approach, conduct, deliverables and critical review>

12. The viva/ presentation • Defend your project to your supervisor. • Feedback and gaps to address by supervisor • capture your presentation and reflect both the feedback and what you did to address this in a section in your report • This will be marked in your project write up and will carry 10%

13. Typical report (see marking scheme) • A typical dissertation will contain general sections such as • Introduction and background, • aims and objectives, • Research methodology • Literature review • Case studies/ primary research analysis • Relevant Chapters (methodological/ life-cyle of analysis, design, code , test , user acceptance) • conclusions and recommendations, and • PM and critical review with log (evidence of your presentation, supervisor’s feedback and what you did to address this) • Looking around 10K words ish • >.

14. Timetable

15. Allocation of Supervisors • Assigned a 1st supervisor and 2nd marker • Supervisors will normally be allocated according to course route • They will guide you acting loosely as ‘project managers’ and mentors • through the University Process • By helping you pitch the project at the correct level for undergrad projects • By confirming your proposal is appropriate • Be aware they are not the ones doing your project, the detail is with you >

16. You will be asked to submit an online A4 project summary proposal19thOctober 2012 • This will be used to inform us of your intention to carry out a project in a certain area of discipline, and a starting point for your supervisors • This then will be worked to a greater level of detail and will then formulate a Detailed Project specification (19thNovemember) • (This will also be submitted online, and will act as a baseline for your project)>. What you need to work on and submit to get going …

17. So – projects you can choose • you should consider your own projects and can be from industry also B) sometimes we publish projects on moodle set by some of our business partners or and staff as long as they fulfill the academic criteria for a project and falls within scope of your programme of study>

18. When considering projects • Have some consideration of subject area your course is on • Should be relevant to you and significant to you >

19. How do we go about getting ideas and topics Considering • your background to date and areas of Skill (educational or work related) • Consider your modules and areas/ topics - what have you found interesting • Industry News • Computing related magazines (computing, computer weekly, http://www.computerweekly.com/Home/, www.IT-analysis.com , www.ecommercetimes.com, www.economist.com , http://www.computerarts.co.uk/ , www.networkcomputing.com , www.networkmagazine.com, http://www.pcmag.com/ , http://www.computing.co.uk/ , http://www.netmagazine.com/ , http://www.freesoftwaremagazine.com/ etc • Journals, newspapers etc • Talk to lecturers, find our research bodies and approach them >

20. Get a client • It helps increase the credibility of your project • Increases your chances of passing and • Increases the level of marks you could potentially get • Gives a more focused aim to your project • Is a demonstrative ‘showcase’ for potential employers • etc

21. Talk to Industry • Contact industry , companies that you have either come across before or have found through searches. • Could be small to medium sized companies, could be from UK or abroad, could be academic institutes (schools you have attended even) • Ask if they have a requirement that needs fulfilling as PART of an undergrad project • It allows you to be visible, improving chances for afterwards also>

22. Projects could be built around combinations of :

23. Your project is really a Test/ hypothesis Example Hypothesis : • Investigate Virtual Reality systems in supporting businesses and whether they can deliver value -by investigating their applications and limitations. • Your project MUST be Testing something out >

24. Break the Myth • Its not all about creating something and that’s “it “…eg software, website, mobile application etc • Its about the PROCESS in striving to achieve “it” And then • writing about that process in an intelligent manner

25. What on earth are we trying to do then ? – well its all about Learning Outcomes • You have to demonstrate to the examiners (both internal and external) that you have satisfied ALL the learning outcomes in other words :

26. Your PROJECT’s Learning outcomes…arggghhhh • Apply intellectual rigor to a topic area or subject that is of interest to the student and relevant to the programme of study undertaken at an Bachelor’s level. • Conceptualise, articulate and communicate a particular area of research or industry requirement in the body of a coherent, comprehensive and logically argued professional report.  • Utilise and justify a range of research methods to identify, select and review a wide range of fully cited information sources to support the subject matter, both historical and current. • Identify and apply appropriate approaches, methodologies, tools and techniques that will support the progression of the subject matter and theme of a project. • Develop well structured solutions to an identifiable industry requirement or support a hypothesis / intellectual argument regarding an area of research. • Critically evaluate options and make justifiable recommendations for the subject matter. • Critically evaluate the approach and conduct of the project. • Demonstrate and conduct a project to good project management characteristics and Quality Assurance techniques. • Apply appropriate measures to address any legal and ethical issues relating to the project work.

27. This translates into the following: (that’s better ) -Identify and rationale a need for a project in a topic area, defining the aims and objectives whilst considering a hypothesis -Conduct appropriate primary and secondary research to support and discuss the need for the project. -Identify and follow an appropriate lifecycle(s) producing tangible deliverables. -Determine and discuss possible options, scenarios and solutions. -Make conclusions and clear recommendations for the progress and approach for the future realisation of the solution with provision of a timeline -Make a critical evaluation of the project and approach adopted. >

28. Which is marked as following breakdown: 100 %

29. So can I develop some software only ?- 100 %

30. well it is only one little bit of the whole picture………. 100 %

31. The answer is do the rest and then ‘yes’ you can , it also depends on level of complexity of what you are doing All of the following –see its not just about the particular thing you have created 100 %

33. The project proposal

34. Once you have some ideas then Current Flavour • Research to see what is current flavour, what was a while a go (1 month, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years) and any developments or the impact / position of Industry and research in areas of interest. List Create a list of 3 topics (at least) , write half a4 sheet on : • What it is • What background is • Industry or current Academic position on the topic area • What objectives you could have • What you are Testing for • Who the client / case could be • Your own SWOT to carrying project out>

35. How do we go about getting topics Filter • Narrow down to 2 and drill further Final decision • Finally arrive at one choice (leaving one as contingency topic)>

36. You need to fill in an online A4 proposal • Gets you moving • This gives us an indication of what you are looking at • The details can be thrashed out with your supervisor and in the detailed project proposal> HALF

37. A4 proposal • Fill this in as fully and completely as possible • Think about the fields • The more thought you have the better your project • Think about why ? And what you can try to achieve and who it will benefit (besides yourself in getting your degree) Hypothesis- what are you testing ?

38. General Subject Area (with Keywords) • A broad topic area that defines the area of project and keywords that could be used in a search facility, • Keywords could be any list of words that could be used in locating your project in a library database search facility. Proposed Subject Title • A proposed title of the project, succinct and clear as to the project undertaken • Eg Feasibility of …, How configuration control techniques in Large scale companies can be applied to …, A case study of the barriers and triggers for Ghana to adopt WAP, A comparison of Software lifecycles in the field of Health etc Brief Project scope and abstract* • The background about the project, topic, company, situation and overall summary as to the nature of problem and what is required. • This would explain the aim of the project and put it into context /setting the scene. If you have a client then this is mentioned with their relevance to the project. This is really a mini-executive summary of the whole project, with considerations to the scope/ boundaries. Project Objectives • List overall objectives of the project listing approx 7-10. These should be measurable and will be used in part assessment in determining the level of achievement of the project. (see intro lect)

39. Objectives • Depending on the programme of study the project will usually consider conducting and documenting the following :

40. 1.  Research the principles / background / impact of chosen subject matter in terms of ICT, regionally, nationally and or globally. • 2.  Conduct GAP/ PESTLE/ SWOT analysis and define some strategic positioning to provide context to the subject matter. • 3.  Identify appropriate case studies to analyse in respect of primary and secondary research for comparison and contrast; these can be regional, national and/or global case studies. • 4.  Evaluate triggers and barriers of subject matter in the context of the problem domain and given scenario. • 5.  Analyse and build a requirement specification / feasibility study or design using an appropriate and justified business or IT lifecycle. • 6.  Determine and discuss possible options, scenarios and solutions • 7. Develop a database and code the requirements conforming to recognized standards • 8.  Draw conclusions and clear recommendations for the progress and approach for the future realisation of the solution with provision of a timeline • 9. Make critical evaluation of the project and approach

41. Making Your Project Succeed • Don’t ask: “What must I do to succeed?” • But: “What can I do to excel?” • Start right now • Good project planning • Good time management • Lots of effort • There’s things you need to find out right now:

42. Communication • Moodle • Information • Lecture notes • Notices • Check regularly

43. A summary to succeed you need to find out : • An idea/ topic ? • What on earth a hypothesis is ? • What does primary and secondary research mean ? And the different ways of doing research ? • How to use the library and all online resources – ‘cause you will need these for a literature review of your topic area • The centre for Academic writing …have quick courses • CU Harvard Style referencing (from our own websites www.coventry.ac.uk/caw click on ‘CU Harvard Reference Style’ for full guide • How to analyse and interpret data or info found from your primary (and secondary) data • How to write a report..plenty of books in library This is your checklist , you should start by finding out about these …be active, be proactive

44. Remember Big Question • What is your project testing ?

45. So now what ? • Continue with all your modules • Start to consider areas of interest and significance for your proposals • Start talking to people • Keep eye on Moodle module • Don’t panic … • But do engage and take ownership

46. And finally remember… • “Planning is bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now” - Alan Lakein