MSc Dissertation (Informatics) [Music Specialism] (P02892)

? Credit Points : 60 ? SCQF Level : 11 ? Acronym : INF-P-DISSM

The project is conducted individually by the student under the supervision of a member of teaching staff in Music.

This is a major piece of full-time independent work which occupies the final months of the MSc course. It is intended to allow students to demonstrate their ability to organise and carry out a substantial investigation into a topic in Music Informatics, according to sound scholarly principles. The project involves both the application of skills learnt in the past and the acquisition of new skills.

The types of activity involved in each project will vary. Projects may be designed along scientific lines, in which case they will include most of the following:

* Researching the literature and gathering background information.
* Analysing requirements, comparing alternatives and specifying a solution.
* Analysing and extending relevant theory in novel ways.
* Designing and implementing the solution.
* Experimenting with and evaluating the solution.
* Discussing existing results and presenting new research.
* Developing written and oral presentation skills.

Alternatively, projects where the main goal is better judged by artistic criteria will involve the production of a musical work or other event suitable for performance. In this case, the student will be engaged in using informatics techniques in a musical context, as well as understanding and building upon both the musical and computational contexts of the work. This will involve many of the activities listed above.

Entry Requirements

? This course is not available to visting students.

? Pre-requisites : For Informatics PG students registered on the MSc Informatics and Music specialism only, or by special permission of the School. There is also a possibility of further project dependent pre-requisites.

? Prohibited combinations : This course is not available to VUG students.

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Research in Informatics, (School of Informatics, Schedule O)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : Postgraduate

? Delivery Period : Block 5 only

First Class Information

Date	Start	End	Room	Area	Additional Information
01/10/2008	14:00	14:50

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the project, students will be able to:
- Structure and summarise a body of knowledge relating to a substantial project topic in Music Informatics.
- Critically evaluate previous work in the area.
- Conduct a programme of work in further investigation of issues related to the topic.
- Discuss and deal with conceptual or artistic problems which arise during the work.
- Justify decisions made during the project.
- Critically evaluate the investigation.
- Present their work, with musical performance or demonstration of working artifacts where appropriate.