MSc Research Project Learning Contract

This is a formal written agreement between you and your project supervisor. It specifies the
support you may expect from your supervisor and your own responsibilities as an MSc project
student in undertaking an independent research project. If you are a University laboratory-based
student, you need to complete Annex 2 by providing details on your laboratory methods, resource
requirements and agreed technical support. If you need the University engineering workshops for
equipment fabrication and/or testing, then you need to provide the required details in Annex 3.

This contract should be completed by you, the student, normally within 2 weeks of starting the
main research project period. Please complete this word-processed form, then print the form and
add your signature and your supervisor’s and that of the designated lab technician (if this is a
laboratory-based project). You should then scan the signed document and upload it to the relevant
link on the 7165EXQ module web. NB: If you have completed Annex 3, you will also need to include
a scanned copy of the signed form, with the rest of the uploaded form.

Your Details
Prashanthkumar Thamalam
Your Name

Course and Cohort (Year and Carbon Dioxide Emissions from oil and gas production -
Sept/Oct or Jan start) Challenges and Opportunities.

Your Supervisor’s Name Nathaniel Babajide

Will science laboratory work be
YES NO
undertaken?
Will you require the use of
YES NO
workshops in EC or JL buildings?
Project Working Title:

In signing below, you are confirming that you have read, understood and agreed to the information
and requirements detailed in this document.

Student’s Signature Date

Supervisor’s Signature Nathaniel Babajide Date 17/02/2023

Laboratory Staff Signature Date

(for science lab based projects)

The information of this form will be used and retained for the purposes of your MSc project only.
Your uploaded form will deleted from the module web within 3 months of the release of your
project marks.
Expectations & Responsibilities
PROJECT SUPERVISOR’S RESPONSIBILITIES
 Approve project objectives, plan and timetable of work
 Clarify expectations and responsibilities as specified here and sign a completed research
project learning contract provided by the student
 At the start of the project period, provide a series of dates and times for meetings
 Provide advice in person, by E-mail, Skype, etc., which includes:
- Direction to some supplementary information sources if required.
- Guidance on the research process and techniques
- Advice on analysis and interpretation of primary and/or secondary data
- Advice on planning the structure of the project report
 Arrange a minimum of three 30-minute meetings with the student during the course of the
project. Agree actions required of the student and keep records of meetings. Give maximum
notice possible of any need to cancel or rearrange
 Respond to student E-mails within 3 working days. Make students aware in advance of
extended periods of unavailability due to annual leave or fieldwork.
 Support UKVI compliance as required (as detailed in the UKVI guidance circulated to staff and
students). Record attendance of project meetings on SONIC.
 Provide feedback / actions for improvement for 2 draft chapters if submitted by the date
agreed/specified by the supervisor and no later than 4 weeks prior to the submission date and
uploaded to the relevant links on the 7165EXQ module web page. Written feedback on the
two draft chapters to be provided via the module web.
 Provide concise written summative feedback on the final dissertation. Liaise with the second
marker to agree the final project mark
 In the case of failed projects, provide 1 additional meeting to guide on improvements to be
made for a module pass.

IN ADDITION FOR LAB-BASED PROJECTS, SUPERVISORS WILL:

 Advise on and approve a clear laboratory methodology and resource requirements prior to any
lab work being undertaken.
 Arrange a meeting with the relevant laboratory technician and the student to clarify the
resource requirements at the start of the project.

PROJECT SUPERVISORS CANNOT

 Provide detailed feedback or mark work for those who do not have ethics authorisation.
 Proofread work. If you have issues with academic writing (including use of academic English,
evidencing assertions, developing an argument, critical evaluation, etc.), your supervisor will
refer you to the Centre for Academic Writing for support and tutorials. It is your responsibility
to arrange this.
 Provide detailed feedback on more than 2 chapters. This is an independent research project,
MSc students must demonstrate appropriate academic knowledge and capacity to work
independently.
 Provide detailed feedback more than once on a particular chapter. Students are expected to
act on the original feedback provided and to revise their chapters accordingly.
 Be available at short notice other than in surgery hours or normal E-mail response time.
 Provide any more than outline advice after the period 4 weeks before the final submission
deadline
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 Give you an indication of a mark prior to formal assessment or offer to remark a formally
submitted project. The university process of double marking, sample moderation and external
examiner mark approval will be followed.

STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITIES
 Undertake effective preparation prior to the commencement of the research
 You may choose to browse the small number of exemplars of good projects for their
structure and academic focus and level. These are available in the JL Map Library and
Information Room.
 You should choose a project linked to a taught module that you have taken. Do not choose
to research a topic if you have not taken the linked taught module; you may not have the
expected background knowledge.
 Produce a realistic timetable for the work
 Ensure a completed learning contract is agreed, signed and uploaded to the 7165EXQ
module web
 Apply MSc level academic knowledge to the research project
 Remain UKVI compliant as appropriate (as detailed in the UKVI guidance circulated separately
to staff and students)
 Submit a full ethics application and obtain authorisation by the stated deadline
 Never undertake research WITHOUT ETHICAL AUTHORISATION even if project utilises
secondary data only
 Never undertake laboratory work or field work without completing the relevant risk
assessment forms and getting these authorised
 Agree a series of appointments for meetings at the start of the research period, and attend all
of these meetings
 Check your module web frequently for updates and to understand the electronic project
submission procedures, dates and module’s guidance
 Lead project meetings, being well prepared, offering progress updates and demonstrating
tangible research activity.
 Correspond via your official university E-mail account during the lifespan of the research
project (private E-mail addresses often get blocked in university spam filters)
 Attend meetings arranged by your supervisor. Give notice if you need to cancel
 Keep notes of project meetings and action points
 Communicate effectively - providing as a minimum in all communications:
 personal details (name, SID number, and course as provided on enrolment)
 clear questions, responses, actions required from the supervisor
 Request and act on feedback provided
 Submit 2 draft chapters for feedback via the draft Turnitin links provided on the 7165EXQ
module web, and before or on agreed deadlines set by the supervisor
 Submit the final dissertation before or on the stated deadline

IN ADDITION FOR LAB-BASED PROJECTS, STUDENTS WILL:

 Undertake a laboratory induction session delivered by designated Laboratory staff
 Ensure that lab methodology, resource requirements, COSHH and Risk Assessment forms are
signed off prior to any lab work being undertaken by their supervisor AND designated
laboratory staff.
 Laboratory based students must be aware that they should expect to wait a minimum of 3
weeks for resources to be available and so must plan ahead accordingly.

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 Not undertake any out-of-hours lab work without prior approval from the Senior Lab.
Technician - Dr Stuart Andrews.
 DO NOT undertake lone working out of hours in the lab, your supervisor must be present.

IN ADDITION FOR ENGINEERING WORKSHOP PROJECTS, STUDENTS WILL:

 Discuss all equipment and materials requirements with an appropriate technician
 Ensure that methodology, resource requirements, and Risk Assessment forms are signed off
prior to any workshop work being undertaken by their supervisor AND a designated technician.

In light of the above, if you feel your supervisor is not meeting their responsibilities please contact
your course director and include Dr Jason Jordan (aa0459@coventry.ac.uk) in your email.

Annex 1 – Generic tasks and deadlines associated with MSc research projects
You may have included a detailed project plan in your project proposal; however, you may find it useful to
agree dates for chapter submission for feedback using the timetable below.

Key Tasks in the Research Project:

1. Develop focused research objectives suitable for an MSc level research project
2. Consider ethical issues fully, complete ethics submission and gain authorisation by the required
date and prior to information/data collection period
3. For projects which require field, workshop or laboratory work, complete the relevant risk
assessment forms and gain authorisation by the required date and prior to commencing any data
collection
4. Undertake a comprehensive focused review of suitable literature to provide context, conceptual
and theoretical depth to the project and support the development of research methods.
5. Design and implement an appropriate methodology for data collection & analysis
6. Evaluate and analyse results/information and discuss
7. Draw appropriate conclusions and make recommendations
8. Write up and submit dissertation by the due date

Project plan and timetable:

Tasks as Week Week Week Week Week Week Week Week Week Week
above 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

1 1 2 3 3 4 5 6 7 8 8
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

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Annex 2 – Science Laboratory (AG Building) Project Students Only

Detail of laboratory method(s) or process(es) to be undertaken. If British Details of resources

Standard test, etc., please attach a copy of the procedure. required at each stage –
glassware, chemicals,
storage, equipment, etc.

To be completed by Lab/Supervisory staff. Resources requiring

ordering*

*All resource orders requested under the ECE teaching budget code must be signed off by the Head
of School. The right to request an alternative method is reserved.

Will this project require out of hours access to laboratory facilities – YES
if yes, provide details above. NO
Will laboratory or field equipment be required to be taken off site – YES
if yes, provide details above. NO

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Annex 3 – Engineering workshop (EC or JL Building) requirements
All requirements must FIRST be discussed with your supervisor and the appropriate EEC Technician
and this form MUST be signed by the technician and your supervisor. A copy of this form MUST be
given to the technician.

Your Name
Your Supervisor’s Name and University Telephone Number
Tel:

Project description (proposed testing, etc.):

Specific materials required (including quantities):

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Student’s Signature Date

29 February 2024
Prashanthkumar Thamalam
Date
Nathaniel Babajide 29 Feb. 24

Technician’s Signature Date