Dissertation Planning

Code:

M.EIC007

Acronym:

PD

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Informatics and Computing Engineering - Multidisciplinary Subjects

Instance: 2024/2025 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Web Page:	https://moodle2425.up.pt/course/view.php?id=4091
Responsible unit:	Department of Informatics Engineering
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Informatics and Computing Engineering

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
M.EIC	10	Syllabus	2	-	4,5	26	121,5

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

1. FRAMEWORK

The curricular unit "Dissertation Planning" (PD) follows the process of organization and preliminary work of the Master's thesis in Informatics and Computer Engineering. Students complete PD before the semester in which they work on the dissertation full-time. The unit's effort is equivalent to 4.5 ECTS and is dedicated to the choice and refinement of the theme of the dissertation, the study of the state of the art in the field of the dissertation and some preliminary work. After PD, the work on the dissertation semester is expected to be intense, well focused and with good presentation of results.

2. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

1. Become familiar with the processes, methodologies and practices associated with scientific research, taking research in informatics engineering as an example;
2. Reflect on critical thinking and its application in science;
3. Select a theme and research questions appropriate to a dissertation;
4. Develop and present the plan of a dissertation project, including the state of the art, on the selected topic.

Learning outcomes and competences

At the end of this course students should be able to:

• Interpret a research work proposal, refine and describe it;
• In a chosen research topic, search and select publications in databases of scientific publications and other types of publication;
• Describe the process of scientific dissemination and publication of results, including the preparation of manuscripts, evaluation and registration of publications;
• Choose appropriate research methods for informatics engineering;
• Develop a work plan and a calendar for the master's dissertation;
• Write a report on work related to the research topic, based on bibliographic research;
• Communicate research results and present the work carried out in the preparation of the master's dissertation.

Additionally, students are expected to demonstrate knowledge of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), integrating sustainability principles into engineering practices. This involves being able to identify the contribution of their work to environmental, social, and economic aspects, as well as defining performance indicators that establish metrics for measuring the impact of projects, with a view to a more sustainable and inclusive future.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

General post-graduate academic training in Informatics Engineering.

Program

• Methods and techniques in research projects


• Systematic methods for searching scientific information


• Design and execution of work for publication


• Tutorials by guests


• Preparation, writing and presentation of the dissertation project report

Mandatory literature

Martha Davis; Scientific Papers and Presentations. ISBN: 0-12-206370-8
Justin Zobel; Writing for computer science. ISBN: 978-1-85233-802-2
Committee on Science, Engineering, and Public Policy,; On Being a Scientist: Responsible Conduct in Research file, National Academies Press, 2009. ISBN: ISBN: 0-309-11971-5

Complementary Bibliography

Luís Adriano Oliveira; Dissertação e Tese em Ciência e Tecnologia Segundo Bolonha, Lidel, 2011. ISBN: 978-972-757-742-2
R. S. WAZLAWICK; Metodologia de Pesquisa para Ciência da Computação, Elsevier, 2009. ISBN: 9788535235227

Teaching methods and learning activities

The activity in classes focuses on the presentation of topics related to research methods in informatics engineering.

Topics covered include research methods, bibliographic research and preparation of state-of-the-art documents, writing and organizing a master's thesis, communication of research results.

Throughout the semester and according to the plan to be presented in the first class, students submit parts of the report on the work carried out and the planning of the master's thesis.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Trabalho escrito	85,00
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	15,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	60,00
Frequência das aulas	26,00
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	16,00
Trabalho escrito	60,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

To perform the work proposed.

Calculation formula of final grade

Final Classification = 85% Written Work + 15% Presentation + 5% CEDME, in which:

a) the Final Classification is truncated to 20 values ​​on the final scale (corresponding to 100%)

b) the 85% relating to the "Written Work" component is, in turn, divided into the following deliverables:

  - Thesis Manifest: 10%
  - Literature Review: 10%
  - State of the Art Report: 30%
  - Research Statement: 15%
  - Proposal Approach: 20%

The student will pass in this couse if the Final Classification is equal to or greater than 10 points.

For all the deliverables the penalty for missing the deadline is -0.2 values for each complete hour after the deadline.

The deadlines are defined in moodle, per deliverable.

Examinations or Special Assignments

Not applicable.

Internship work/project

Not applicable.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Conclusion of the work and presentations proposed in the UC.

Classification improvement

New preparation work in the following semester.

Observations

The contents in portuguese superseed the english translation.