Study information

Individual Literature Review and Project - 2025 entry

MODULE TITLEIndividual Literature Review and Project CREDIT VALUE45
MODULE CODEECM3401 MODULE CONVENERDr Zeliang Wang (Coordinator)
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 12 weeks 11 weeks 0
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) 230
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

This is the module in which everything you have learnt in your Computer Science studies comes together in a substantial piece of individual project work, involving initial research and literature review, and specification and design of a software system, followed by implementation, testing, evaluation, and demonstration of the system. You will work under the supervision of an individual staff member who will provide guidance and advice as appropriate.

 
Prerequisite module: ECM2414, ECM2434 or equivalent



 

 

AIMS - intentions of the module

The aim of the module is to enable you to consolidate the knowledge, understanding, techniques and skills acquired over the previous two years through the specification, design, implementation, testing, evaluation and demonstration of a software system. The module includes both initial research into the project area (including production of a literature review) and production of the system itself following an appropriate development method.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)

On successful completion of this module, you should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:

1 plan a substantial project taking account of foreseeable risks, ethical considerations, etc;

2 follow a disciplined development method in the production of software

3 exercise programming skills to produce effective and correct code in accordance with a design.

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:

4 master writing styles appropriate to both a theoretical discursive document and a technical report, including use of tables and figures and good referencing practice.

Personal and Key Transferable/ Employment Skills and  Knowledge:

5 undertake independent research in a chosen topic, summarise findings and provide critical analysis;

6 impart the results of your work through oral presentation and practical demonstration;

7 manage your work effectively, with appropriate time planning, attendance at meetings and timely submission of deliverables.
 

SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module
- Students are expected to have weekly regular meetings with their supervisor;

- the regular meetings in the first four weeks are expected to cover project scope, risk assessment, ethical considerations, literature review plan, time plan and a list of references;

- the literature review may cover software as well as both printed literature and web sources, all of which must be referenced in a correct and consistent style; at least two pages at the end of the document should take the form of an informal specification of the project making reference to specific technologies or methods informed by the literature review.

- the final report will cover details of design, implementation, testing and evaluation;
 
- you will give a presentation followed by a demonstration of the software produced to the two markers.

- 10% of the marks for the module will come from your supervisor’s report, which will take into account your progress throughout the year, including attendance at meetings, submission of agreed deliverables.
LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 16 Guided Independent Study 434 Placement / Study Abroad 0
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Category Hours of study time Description
Scheduled learning and teaching activities 4 Lectures
Scheduled learning and teaching activities 12 Individual supervision
Guided independent study 434 Private study and practical work

 

ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade

None

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 90 Written Exams 0 Practical Exams 10
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Form of Assessment % of Credit Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Literature Review and Project Specification 20 8 pages 4,5 Written feedback using customised marksheet
Final Report 60 20-page report 1,2,3,4,5,7 Written feedback using customised marksheet
Project Demonstration 10 15-minute demonstration 4,5,6 Written feedback using customised marksheet
Supervisor's Report 10 N/A 1,2,7 Oral feedback from supervisor

 

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)
Original Form of Assessment Form of Re-assessment ILOs Re-assessed Time Scale for Re-reassessment
As above Final Report (with presentation and demonstration) All Completed over summer with a deadline in August

 

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES

Reassessment will be by resubmission of the final report (with presentation and demonstration) only. For referred candidates, the mark will be capped at 40%. For deferred candidates, the mark will be uncapped.

RESOURCES
INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener

Basic reading:

ELE: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/
 

 

 

Reading list for this module:

There are currently no reading list entries found for this module.

CREDIT VALUE 45 ECTS VALUE 22.5
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES ECM2414, ECM2434
CO-REQUISITE MODULES
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 6 AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No
ORIGIN DATE Tuesday 10th July 2018 LAST REVISION DATE Wednesday 1st October 2025
KEY WORDS SEARCH Project; literature review; computing; software development.

Please note that all modules are subject to change, please get in touch if you have any questions about this module.