Students

COMP4093 – Software Engineering Research Thesis B

2021 – Session 1, Special circumstances

Notice

As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group activities on campus, and most will keep an online version available to those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.

To check the availability of face-to-face and online activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Gaurav Gupta
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
20cp at 4000 level
Corequisites Corequisites
COMP4092 or COMP410
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

In this unit students will conduct the second half of their individual research thesis on a topic in Software Engineering major under the direction of an academic supervisor. Students will implement the previously developed project plan conducting the experimental and theoretical work to obtain results and analysis presented in the form of a final research thesis.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Undertake a complex engineering specific research project involving the development of new knowledge, using appropriate technical and /or laboratory skills, data management and synthesis, critical analysis and interpretation of results; culminating in an effective written dissertation and oral presentation to a variety of audiences in research fora.
  • ULO2: Demonstrate technical writing and presentation skills at a standard that would be acceptable in a professional engineering workplace.
  • ULO3: Identify, formulate and solve complex open-ended software engineering problems in an ethical manner.
  • ULO4: Apply research principles, research methods, and technical standards to identify and provide solutions to complex problems in software engineering.

General Assessment Information

Hurdle Task

The hurdle task for this unit is the thesis. A grade of 50% (35 out of 70) or more on the thesis is a necessary but not sufficient condition for passing this unit. Students who receive greater than or equal to 40% (28 out of 70) but less than 50% (35 out of 70) will be given a second opportunity, in which case your submission will be due during the supplementary examination period and you will be notified of the exact day and time by the unit convenor. The second attempt at a hurdle assessment is graded as pass/fail. The maximum grade for a second attempt is the hurdle threshold grade (35 out of 70).

Late Submission

No extensions will be granted without an approved application for Special Consideration. There will be a deduction of 10% of the total available marks made from the total awarded mark for each 24 hour period or part thereof that the submission is late. For example, 25 hours late in submission for an assignment worth 10 marks – 20% penalty or 2 marks deducted from the total.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Thesis 70% Yes Week 13
Management and Engagement 10% No Daily record of your achievements
Presentation 20% No Week 14 or 15 at a time to be determined
Meeting with Supervisors 0% Yes Weekly or fortnightly in consultation with your supervisor

Thesis

Assessment Type 1: Thesis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 50 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 70%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

Students are required to prepare a thesis report about their projects, including the literature review, technical execution of the project, discussion and understanding of results, and conclusions and added value of work.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Undertake a complex engineering specific research project involving the development of new knowledge, using appropriate technical and /or laboratory skills, data management and synthesis, critical analysis and interpretation of results; culminating in an effective written dissertation and oral presentation to a variety of audiences in research fora.
  • Demonstrate technical writing and presentation skills at a standard that would be acceptable in a professional engineering workplace.
  • Identify, formulate and solve complex open-ended software engineering problems in an ethical manner.
  • Apply research principles, research methods, and technical standards to identify and provide solutions to complex problems in software engineering.

Management and Engagement

Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Daily record of your achievements
Weighting: 10%

Students are required to actively engage with the project-related activities, and to demonstrate a professional demeanour towards project management and record-keeping. Students are also required to maintain a logbook for this unit, where dated records of day-to-day activities associated with the project are maintained.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Undertake a complex engineering specific research project involving the development of new knowledge, using appropriate technical and /or laboratory skills, data management and synthesis, critical analysis and interpretation of results; culminating in an effective written dissertation and oral presentation to a variety of audiences in research fora.
  • Demonstrate technical writing and presentation skills at a standard that would be acceptable in a professional engineering workplace.
  • Identify, formulate and solve complex open-ended software engineering problems in an ethical manner.
  • Apply research principles, research methods, and technical standards to identify and provide solutions to complex problems in software engineering.

Presentation

Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Week 14 or 15 at a time to be determined
Weighting: 20%

Students are required to deliver a comprehensive oral presentation about their project outcomes at the end of the unit.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Undertake a complex engineering specific research project involving the development of new knowledge, using appropriate technical and /or laboratory skills, data management and synthesis, critical analysis and interpretation of results; culminating in an effective written dissertation and oral presentation to a variety of audiences in research fora.
  • Demonstrate technical writing and presentation skills at a standard that would be acceptable in a professional engineering workplace.
  • Identify, formulate and solve complex open-ended software engineering problems in an ethical manner.
  • Apply research principles, research methods, and technical standards to identify and provide solutions to complex problems in software engineering.

Meeting with Supervisors

Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 5 hours
Due: Weekly or fortnightly in consultation with your supervisor
Weighting: 0%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

Students are required to meet with their supervisors on a weekly basis, once the project commences. Such weekly meetings should aim to seek feedback and steer the project, and would normally last at least 15-30 minutes or more. In order to pass this unit, a student must attend at least 6 out of 12 weekly meetings from Week 1 to Week 12. In case a face-to-face meeting is not possible, a meeting must be conducted using telephone or video-conference. Meetings should be logged using the consultation meeting log sheet provided on iLearn.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Undertake a complex engineering specific research project involving the development of new knowledge, using appropriate technical and /or laboratory skills, data management and synthesis, critical analysis and interpretation of results; culminating in an effective written dissertation and oral presentation to a variety of audiences in research fora.
  • Demonstrate technical writing and presentation skills at a standard that would be acceptable in a professional engineering workplace.
  • Identify, formulate and solve complex open-ended software engineering problems in an ethical manner.
  • Apply research principles, research methods, and technical standards to identify and provide solutions to complex problems in software engineering.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

There is only one 1-hour lecture per week in this unit as the bulk of the work is in preparation for your thesis.

The lecture will be conducted via Zoom and is synchronous and interactive.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.


Unit information based on version 2021.02 of the Handbook