University of Technology Sydney

37500 Capstone Professional Project

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2024 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Science: Mathematical and Physical Sciences
Credit points: 16 cp
Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): 24 credit points of completed study in spk(s): MAJ01124 48cp Mathematical and Statistical Data Science Major AND 24 credit points of completed study in spk(s): STM91284 24cp Professional stream (Science PG)

Description

The Capstone Professional Project is an individually supervised subject with no formal classes. Regular meetings are arranged between the supervisor and student.

This subject gives the student the opportunity to undertake a project for a client that requires the student to identify the analysis required to meet the client's aims, implement that analysis drawing on the mathematical and statistical modelling skills developed in the earlier subjects of their studies, and provide a verbal and written report of their project that is both technically correct and accessible to the client.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

1. analyse a complex problem to synthesise which techniques are appropriate to apply
2. work independently taking a professional and ethical approach to the application of your chosen methodologies
3. reflect on the analysis undertaken throughout the project to create solutions that meet the goals set by the client
4. communicate clearly and succinctly to both technical and non-technical audiences the choice of methods used and the results achieved in relation to the project goals.

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject also contributes specifically to the development of following course intended learning outcomes:

  • Tackle the challenge of complex real-world problems in the areas of mathematical and statistical modelling by critically evaluating information and solutions and conducting appropriate approaches to independent research. (2.1)
  • Engage in work practices that demonstrate an understanding of confidentiality requirements, ethical conducts, data management, and organisation and collaborative skills in the context of applying mathematical and statistical modelling. (3.1)
  • Find and reflect on the value, integrity, and relevance of multiple sources of information to derive innovative solutions, show creativity, innovation and application of technologies in evaluating solutions to contemporary mathematics problems. (4.1)
  • Identify and present complex ideas and justifications using appropriate communication approaches from a variety of methods (oral, written, visual) to communicate with mathematicians, data analysts, scientists, industry, and the general public. (5.1)

Contribution to the development of graduate attributes

2. Research, inquiry and critical thinking

These skills are developed throughout the subject through regular meetings with the supervisor. These meetings support you to tackle the real problem presented by the client, selecting from the analysis approaches you are aware of the most appropriate set of techniques for the presented problem, and then interpreting the resulting analysis with respect to the initial problem.

3. Professional, ethical, and social responsibility

During this subject you will be responsible for taking a professional and ethical approach to all the decisions required throughout the project, particularly with respect to decisions relating to the analysis techniques you choose to apply. You will develop your professional skills including the ability to work both independently and collaboratively, preparation and organisation, as well as project and time management.

4. Reflection, Innovation, Creativity

In this subject you will develop your critical thinking through the critical evaluation of the mathematical / statistical methodologies applied to your project's analysis. Through well-developed self-reflection and independent learning strategies, you will create innovative solutions to the project's goals.

5. Communication

Building on the communication skills developed in earlier subjects, you will develop both your oral and written communication throughout the subject with regular meetings with your supervisor where you will present your progress for discussion, meetings with the client where you will need to ascertain their goals for the project as well as communicate in clear succinct non-technical language your progress and results. These skills will be assessed through the completion of both assessment tasks at the end of the subject.

Teaching and learning strategies

This subject is primarily independent project work. To support this you will meet regularly, typically weekly throughout the semester, with your supervisor. These meetings will include discussing progress and results, giving advice on the approaches you are taking, and setting progress targets to ensure you complete the project on-time. You are responsible for planning the meetings and keeping up with the planned progress.

Content (topics)

The project undertaken will be determined from the topics that are available by the supervisor in consultation with the student.

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Presentation to Client

Intent:

This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes:

2. Research, inquiry and critical thinking

3. Professional, ethical, and social responsibility

4. Reflection, Innovation, Creativity

5. Communication

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s):

1, 2, 3 and 4

This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s):

2.1, 3.1, 4.1 and 5.1

Type: Presentation
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 20%
Criteria:

The presentation will be assessed on:

  1. clear statement of the problem and the analysis techniques applied
  2. evidence of a professional and ethical approach to the analysis with an acknowledgement of assumptions behind methods used and their impact on the results obtained
  3. the quality of the solution and whether the approaches used were appropriate for maximising the value of the results to the client
  4. oral communication supported by clear slides that is accessible to a non-technical audience

Assessment task 2: Research Report

Intent:

This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes:

2. Research, inquiry and critical thinking

3. Professional, ethical, and social responsibility

4. Reflection, Innovation, Creativity

5. Communication

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s):

1, 2, 3 and 4

This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s):

2.1, 3.1, 4.1 and 5.1

Type: Report
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 70%
Criteria:

The report will be assessed on:

  1. clear statement of the problem and the analysis techniques applied
  2. evidence of a professional and ethical approach to the analysis with an acknowledgement of assumptions behind methods used, their impact on the results obtained, and appropriate referencing of sources used
  3. the quality of the solution and whether the approaches used were appropriate for maximising the value of the results to the client
  4. the written communication of the aproaches used, the results achieved, and their relevance to the project goals with both a technical and non-technical audience in mind.

Assessment task 3: Project Plan

Intent:

This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes:

2. Research, inquiry and critical thinking

3. Professional, ethical, and social responsibility

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s):

1 and 2

This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s):

2.1 and 3.1

Type: Report
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 10%
Criteria:

The Project Plan will be assessed on:

  1. choice of proposed techniques and how they will meet the clients's aims and objectives
  2. evidence of a clear plan with proposed milestones at three to four points through the semester

Minimum requirements

In order to pass the subject you must complete both assessment elements and achieve a final mark of at least 50.