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PhD Core Course Description

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Detailed Course Description: PhD Programme

 

Year I Courses

CPEN 701 Research and Project Proposal

The research and project proposal development course examines in depth the theory and application of research with emphasis on building up the research proposal required for the doctoral thesis and also for funding solicitation. Topics include basis for research and appraisal of factors that influence choice of research methods, nature of research process, ethics in research, types of research, tools of research, starting a research project and proposal, choosing research topic and developing the research, writing a research proposal including writing style for publication, critique, literature review and research ethics (plagiarism), research design, literature review and secondary analysis, questionnaire design, building oral presentation of the research proposal, building written presentation of the research results including journal writing and thesis, fundamentals of experimental and quasi-experimental designs, qualitative research designs including focus groups, expanded designs and single subject design, survey methods, and conferences and technicalities for publishing in first class scientific journals.

Reference books and materials [1] Robson, C., Real World Research: A Resource for Social Scientist and Practitioners, 2nd Ed., Blackwell Publishers, 2002. [2] Bryman, A., Social Research Methods, 1st Ed., Oxford University Press, 2001 [3] Campbell, D. T., and Stanley, J. C., Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Designs for Research, Houghton Mifflin Publishers, 1990

 

CPEN 702 Research Management

The research project management course provides practical guidance on how research project and facilities are managed from commencement to the end. Topics include introduction to life cycle models and paradigms, life cycle phases, project management processes including project initiation, project planning, execution, control, and close-up, and project risk analysis, project management activities and models for undertaking project activities, project control including project break-downs and scheduling, research cost estimation techniques and procurement, research reviews and quality assurance, research project integration and documentation, use of modern tools and techniques for project planning, evaluation, analysis, management, and control.

Reference books and materials [1] Lock, D., Project Management, Gower Publishing, 2007 [2] Ross, S. M., Project Management, Planning, and Control: Managing Engineering, Constructions, and Manufacturing Projects to PMI, APM, and BSI Standards, Butterworth-Heinemann, 2006 [3] Kerzner, H., Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling, Wiley & Sons, 2009

 

CPEN 710 Seminar I

The doctorial seminar I course focuses on presentation on selected topics of recent interest in computer engineering during the first year. Candidates will perform comprehensive review of scholarly articles - read, present, discuss, and implement recent works from the research literature. The topics may include special problems, design problem, or group research on complete problems for analysis and experimentation. Each candidate will give at least one oral presentation as well as a full write up of the presentation for assessment.

Reference books and materials [1] Robson, C., Real World Research: A Resource for Social Scientist and Practitioners, 2nd Ed., Blackwell Publishers, 2002. [2] Bryman, A., Social Research Methods, 1st Ed., Oxford University Press, 2001 [3] Campbell, D. T., and Stanley, J. C., Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Designs for Research, Houghton Mifflin Publishers, 1990

 

Year II Courses

CPEN 700 PhD Thesis

The doctorial thesis involves a candidate working closely under the guidance of a supervisor(s) in the Department to investigate an approved original project idea from the candidate’s preferred field of specialization, and writing a thesis. The investigation will include a comprehensive review of related works reported in scholarly articles, formulation and development of necessary concepts, implementation, testing, study of the implications of work and potential application. The thesis will be evaluated based either on its academic contribution and advancement to knowledge or contribution to the relevant industrial application. The contributions and results from the research work will be synthesized and compiled into publication-quality research papers.

Reference books and materials [1] Madsen, D., Successful Dissertations and Theses: A Guide to Graduate Student Research from Proposal to Completion, 2nd Ed., Jossey-Bass Inc. Publishers, 1991. [2] Robson, C., Real World Research: A Resource for Social Scientist and Practitioners, 2nd Ed., Blackwell Publishers, 2002. [3] Campbell, D. T., and Stanley, J. C., Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Designs for Research, Houghton Mifflin Publishers, 1990

 

CPEN 720 Seminar II

The doctorial seminar II course focuses on the research proposal presentation and progress report on the research. Each candidate will be expected to make a presentation soon after the year one examination on the research the candidate intends to work on for the thesis. During the middle part of the second semester of the second year, the candidate will be required to give a progress report on the research. As part of the seminar session, candidates will also be required to participate in presentations on special topics as well as any intellectual dialogues.

Reference books and materials [1] Robson, C., Real World Research: A Resource for Social Scientist and Practitioners, 2nd Ed., Blackwell Publishers, 2002. [2] Bryman, A., Social Research Methods, 1st Ed., Oxford University Press, 2001 [3] Campbell, D. T., and Stanley, J. C., Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Designs for Research, Houghton Mifflin Publishers, 1990

 

CPEN 730 Seminar III

The doctorial seminar III course focuses on progress report presentations on the research. Each candidate will be required to make periodic presentations preliminary findings of the research. The candidates will also be required to participate in presentations on special topics and any intellectual dialogues.

Reference books and materials [1] Robson, C., Real World Research: A Resource for Social Scientist and Practitioners, 2nd Ed., Blackwell Publishers, 2002. [2] Bryman, A., Social Research Methods, 1st Ed., Oxford University Press, 2001 [3] Campbell, D. T., and Stanley, J. C., Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Designs for Research, Houghton Mifflin Publishers, 1990