DISS: Project Assessment

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Projects are marked independently by the supervisor (1st marker) and the (centrally allocated) 2nd marker. The 1st and 2nd markers are not allowed to discuss marks until after both have filed their marking forms. Markers discuss the final mark, and one of them (usually the 1st marker) files the Agreed Mark Form. In certain circumstances, the project will go to moderation (see below)

The project is assessed based on a written final dissertation. Dissertations will typically conform to the following format:

• Title page with abstract.
• Introduction: an introduction to the document, clearly stating the hypothesis or objective of the project, motivation for the work, and the results achieved. The structure of the remainder of the document should also be outlined.
• Background: background to the project, previous work, exposition of relevant literature, setting of the work in the proper context. This should contain sufficient information to allow the reader to appreciate the contribution you have made.
• Description of the work undertaken: This may be divided into chapters describing the conceptual design work and the actual implementation separately. Any problems or difficulties, and the suggested solutions should be mentioned. Alternative solutions and their evaluation should also be included.
• Analysis or Evaluation: Results and their critical analysis should be reported, including whether the results conform to expectations or not, and how they compare with other related work. Where appropriate, an evaluation of the work against the original objectives should be presented.
• Conclusion: concluding remarks and observations, unsolved problems, suggestions for further work.
• Bibliography.

This format is given for guidance only. The structure of an MSc dissertation should be chosen to suit the project.

In addition, the dissertation must be accompanied by a statement declaring that the student has read and understood the University's plagiarism guidelines. Examiners may use the Turnitin plagiarism detection software.

The dissertation presents work of extended scholarship, often the result of original work or in-depth research on a topic. The work should demonstrate, amongst other things, an advanced level of knowledge and understanding of the field of study, and an ability to undertake research. The dissertation must be satisfactory in its presentation and reference to other sources. Since the time and resources available to the candidate are relatively restricted, it is not expected that the dissertation will report notable or original contributions to knowledge. The master's dissertation and associated works of scholarship are primarily teaching, learning, and examining media, not media for the presentation of research or original work outcomes to the public or peers.

Projects are assessed in terms of several basic and other criteria. Only the dissertation is used for assessment. See also the common marking scheme. Knowledge of these criteria will help students plan their project and also when writing up. The criteria include:

• Basic Criteria
  • Understanding of the problem
  • Completion of the work
  • Quality of the work
  • Quality of the dissertation
• Additional Criteria
  • Knowledge of the literature
  • Critical evaluation of previous work
  • Critical evaluation of one's own work
  • Justification of design decisions
  • Solution of conceptual problems
  • Amount of work
• Exceptional Criteria
  • Evidence of outstanding merit e.g., originality
  • Inclusion of material worthy of publication

0-39 (final mark):

The dissertation is inadequate or poor on each of the basic criteria. The candidate will fail the MSc, but may obtain a diploma based on exam performance.

40-47 (final mark):

The dissertation is poor on each of the basic criteria. The candidate will fail the MSc, but may obtain a diploma based on exam performance.

48-49 (final mark):

The dissertation is borderline; the Board of Examiners will consider whether to award an MSc.

45-49:

According to Taught Assessment Regulations (number 58), with a mark in this range, the student may resubmit the thesis within 3 months, and both markers will need to re-mark the new submission.

50-52:

The dissertation is fair on each of the basic criteria. The MSc will be awarded.

53-56:

The dissertation is at least fair on each of the basic criteria and is fair on some of the additional criteria.

57-59:

The dissertation is at least fair on each of the basic criteria and is fair on most of the additional criteria.

60-62:

The dissertation is at least good on each of the basic criteria and is at least fair on each of the additional criteria.

63-66:

The dissertation is at least good on each of the basic criteria and is at least fair and sometimes good on each of the additional criteria.

67-69:

The dissertation is at least good on each of the basic criteria and is at least fair and most times good or excellent on each of the additional criteria.

70-79:

The dissertation is good or excellent on each of the basic and additional criteria.

80-89:

The dissertation is good or excellent on each of the basic and additional criteria, and also has some elements of the exceptional criteria.

90-100:

The dissertation is good or excellent on each of the basic and additional criteria and also shows clear evidence of the exceptional criteria.

Note that the 'completion' criterion, B, covers achievement of the original objectives, achievement of modified objectives or providing convincing evidence that the objectives are unachievable. The 'outstanding merit' criterion, K, includes originality and the excellence of engineering.

Many dissertations will not fit neatly into any category, e.g., strong on additional criteria, but weak on a basic one. In this case, examiners are asked to trade one criterion off against another as best they can, bearing in mind that failure on a basic criterion is a serious fault.

The degree may be awarded with merit or with distinction. For distinction, a candidate must have been awarded at least 70% for the dissertation and other work from the taught element of the course must have also been assessed and awarded a mark which is close to, or above, the 70% standard. For merit, at least 60% is required on both criteria.

Marks in the range of 45-49 allow a resubmission of the thesis by the student within 3 months, which will need to be re-marked (Taught Assessment Regulation 58). The policy on moderation can be found here.

Important: the project will be evaluated by the markers to determine whether the given ethics certification matches the content and methodology of the project. The students and the supervisors are advised well in advance (preferably by the end of the IPP course) to make the necessary arrangements. Projects that are deemed not to have the proper ethics approval might be penalized.

Extensions

Extensions are permitted, and Extra Time Adjustments (ETA) for extensions are permitted. Please refer to Rule 3 here for further details. Please see Learn for the number of extension days that are permitted.