Dissertation

MSc students complete an independent dissertation project during the summer on a topic which is themed with their programme of study. For part time students, this will usually be in the final year of their registration. The research undertaken for the dissertation draws upon the extensive research experience of the academic staff and is supported by state-of-the art facilities in the department. It may include either laboratory work, field studies and modelling, or any combination of these activities, as appropriate. The content can range from experimental studies and field investigations through to numerical evaluation, and encompass both theoretical analysis and applied aspects of the material taught on the MSc programme.

Students select dissertation topics in the Autumn semester. In many cases, dissertations are offered in collaboration with industrial partners and external organisations, providing the opportunity for students to work on topical problems and gain valuable industrial experience in a commercial environment. We also offer part time students the opportunity of developing a joint project in collaboration with their employer, subject to certain conditions. This enables students to tailor their dissertation topic to suit their personal interests and the technical or commercial needs of their employer.

After completing their dissertation, MSc students produce a short technical paper on their work and present this to their colleagues at a departmental MSc conference in September. Each student is provided with a proceedings containing all the conference papers, in recognition of the event and their achievement.