College of Engineering, Maths and Physical Sciences –
Research-Led Education Case Studies
June 2011
Research-like learning
ECM1704 Mathematical Investigations (MSci Mathematics, MMath Mathematics and BSc
Mathematics; Year 1, Term 1)
Fostering research-rich learning environments for our students requires the creation of learning
communities in which staff and students work together on shared projects. Mathematical
Investigations, centred around three intensive open-ended group projects, is a first introduction to
developing the skills and relationships integral to becoming an effective member of an active
research community. The first two projects each focus on exploring and communicating, through
various media, an exciting topic in mathematics, such as cryptography or game theory, with the
guidance of a subject expert. The third project reflects on the experience of “being a
mathematician” during which the students turn the microscope on themselves and – through
surveys, interviews with staff and peers, and data from national research projects – examine their
position within their research community.
What the students say:
“... an enjoyable module and one that I believe will prove to be valuable in the future ... I felt
continually supported and encouraged.”
“... clear thought [given] about how we, as students and mathematicians, need to learn to
get maximum benefit out of our degree.”
“I enjoyed the group aspect and the individual research and roles to play that were needed.”
“I liked the researching part of the course – it was very interesting to learn for ourselves
instead of just from a lecturer.”
“Gave an insight into different ways of viewing maths and its implications ...”
“... [the subject/group tutor] wasn’t afraid to diverge into a sub-topic, or philosophical
debates ...”
ECMM102 MEng Group Project (MEng Civil and Environmental Engineering, MEng Civil Engineering,
MEng Electronic Engineering, MEng Engineering, MEng Engineering and Management, MEng
Materials Engineering, MEng Mechanical Engineering; Year 4, Terms 1 & 2)
The aim of the MEng Project is to provide experience of working as part of an inter-disciplinary
research team in a situation close to that which might be found in an industrial or commercial
setting. Teams – consisting of 7 or 8 students from civil, mechanical, electronic and management
engineering, under the guidance of a subject expert – are presented with a real-life engineering
project designed to encourage the use of initiative, imagination and creativity and to integrate the
knowledge learned across several areas of the degree programme. In addition to the main research
task, students are required to undertake an individual research investigation that complements the
group project and to reflect on their own contributions to the team. The final outputs of the group
project are a report and an oral presentation, assessed by a panel of subject experts from across the
engineering disciplines, which deliberates on the group achievement and the contributions of each
student to the group performance.
Research-led teaching
ECM2417 Frontiers of Computing (MSci and BSc Computer Science and Mathematics, BSc
Mathematics and Computer Science; Year 2)
Often it can be difficult for an undergraduate to be aware of the different aspects of research that
take place within a department. Frontiers of Computing is a second year module that allows
students to be introduced to a range of topics in Computer Science that are currently in the research
arena and that relate to the active research interests of members of staff. As well as each member
of research active computing staff giving one or two lectures and seminars, guest speakers also give
additional seminars. Through this module, both an understanding of the nature of research in
Computing and of the expertise available in the department can be conveyed; this is particularly
useful when trying to identify possible third year projects and supervisors. As well as completing a
seminar diary throughout the module, students must select a particular topic that has been covered
and complete a literature review. This enables students to start examining journals and conference
papers that they would not necessarily have been exposed to before.
What the students say:
“... gave a good insight into advances in computer science”.
“... a very enjoyable module, giving a nice break from the normal subjects, and allowing us to
see what the future of the field is about.”
“Some very good topics, including a brilliant guest speaker.”
“I liked the principle of bringing in professors to talk about their area of research.”
“An interesting module with a good variety of topics covered.”