School of Computer Science BCS accreditation 2021 - 2026

Artificial Intelligence MEng (Hons) - COMP40901 Summer Industrial Project

5.1 Additional criteria for integrated Masters

Students work in industry in industrially led teams analysing problems, developing solutions, presenting ideas and solutions, interacting with customers and stakeholders. They write an Individual report of up to 15,000 words describing the job, the work environment, team architecture, systems developed, methodologies used, testing done. Students are expected to reflect on the suitability and reasons for design decisions made, possible alternatives and why these were not adopted, the level of success and their contribution to the industrial product or outcome resulting from their work.

Assesement : Individual report

7.1.1 Critical review of literature

The majority of industrial projects involve development of wither a software or a hardware product/artefact. In the report and the seminar there are marks for the critical review of tools and techniques available and those selected for use.

Assesement : Individual coursework

7.1.2 Development of the self-directed learner

Almost all students are set problems to solve either individually or as part of a team. They are expected to research tools, techniques/skills and other aspects. This is indirectly assessed via the results achieved and the critical review

Assesement : Individual coursework

7.1.3 Respond to opportunities for innovation

All industrial placements place students into situations they have not been directly prepared for. They are faced with problems whose solutions are being created. Almost always some novelty, innovation or adaptation is required in order to find and develop a suitable solution.

Assesement : Individual coursework

7.1.4 Participate in the peer review processements

Almost always students work as part of a team on their industrial placements. At team meetings they are expected to present and justify ideas of their own and well as comment on the ideas of others.

Assesement : Group coursework, Presentation

7.1.5 Undertake risk management

In assessing the report and seminar students give for their industrial placement appropriate awareness of, management and reaction to risks is observed as part of the assessment. However, placements vary considerably in the nature and seriousness of risks the students are exposed to. Risk management is implicitly assessed and is not explicitly part of the marking scheme.

Assesement : Individual coursework

7.1.6 Use appropriate processes

Students are expected to have applied, for example, leading software engineering principles as part of their industrial work. This may not involve all the stages from specification through to maintenance in a short placement but frequently the student is unaware of the processes they will be involved in until called on to apply their knowledge.

Assesement : Individual coursework

7.1.7 Investigate and define a problem

Every industrial placement has involved defining, analysing and producing solutions to business problems in an industrial context.

Assesement : Individual coursework

7.1.8 Apply principles of supporting disciplines

This is always part of working in an appropriate manner and finding usable solutions to problems.

Assesement : Individual coursework

7.1.9 Work as a member of a development team

All industrial placements involve some sort of team work. However, not all directly involve development. For example, IT support roles though these involve appropriate problem solving.

Assesement : Group coursework

8.1.1 Systematic understanding of knowledge of the domain with depth in particular areas

The industrial placement is all about showing ability to transfer learned computing skills from University to Industry. The systematic application of domain knowledge to problem solving. Most placements involve participation in the development of significant computing products operating with post-graduate level knowledge and ability.

Assesement : Individual coursework

8.1.2 Comprehensive understanding of essential principles and practices

The industrial placement is all about showing ability to transfer learned computing skills from University to Industry operating with post-graduate level knowledge and ability.

Assesement : Individual coursework, Group coursework

8.1.3 Legal, Social Ethical and Professional issues

Students are working as professionals during their industrial placement. They must demonstrate knowledge of and apply appropriate law, ethical standards and professional behaviour.

Assesement : Individual coursework

8.2.1 Produce work informed by research at the forefront

The industrial placement contributes to assessment of appropriate consistent application of leading ideas and methods.

Assesement : Individual coursework

8.2.2 Tackling a significant technical problem

9.1.1 Systematic understanding of knowledge at the forefront in development and implementation of systems

Unlike more academic modules, this module expects students to apply appropriate knowledge of the subject but not necessarily from the forefront of the subject unless this is relevant and required by the problems faced.

Assesement : Individual coursework

9.1.2 Comprehensive understanding of the state of the art techniques

Students are expected to demonstrate to their industrial employer and to us that they have all the required knowledge needed to develop systems as solutions to the industrial problems they are set as tasks.

Assesement : Assessment by employer

9.1.3 Legal, Social Ethical and Professional issues

9.2.1 Develop and apply new technologies

Where appropriate students should use new technologies which they need to first develop but it is more important to provide adequate and timely solutions as part of the industrial placement.

Assesement : Individual coursework, group coursework

9.2.2 Show originality and innovation

9.2.3 Evaluation of commercial risk

10.1.1 Systematic understanding of knowledge at the forefront in computing science research

10.1.3 Legal, Social Ethical and Professional issues

10.2.2 Quantitative and qualitative research methods

Students are expected to apply appropriate qualitative or quantitative analysis methods to understand the problems they face and to evaluate their solutions. These may be already known or newly developed methods from the research literature or other published works as appropriate to the problem domain.

Assesement : Individual coursework