Frequently Asked Questions

A list of FAQ and answers is below. This list will be updated as more questions are asked, so please check back.

What goes into a proposal?
See the Documents section of this website.

Can an IS and SE student be in the same team?
Yes. Both team members don't have to be in the same stream.

Can I do a  research project?
No. BUT. Normally a 3rd year project involves implementing a system (ie. code and documentation), but if you can make  a good case (to both project coordinator and supervisor) to do a non-traditional project, then you can get approval for it.

How important is systems analysis stuff?
Very. You will get credit for doing a good job of systems analysis, requirements, design, etc.

How important is design?
Very - see above.

Can an I do a solo (1 person) project?
Yes. BUT we will need to be confident that you can do it alone and you will need to make that case.

Can we do a 2 person project?
Yes. This is the norm.

Can we do a 3 person project?
No. Don't even ask.

Can I submit an unsigned proposal form?
No. Any proposal form which is submitted and is not signed by a member of staff will be deemed to be automatically rejected.

What happens if I do not submit a proposal?
If you fail to submit a signed project proposal form by the deadline, you will be automatically assigned a supervisor and a project that you must complete. 

I didn't submit a proposal, can I now reject the assigned supervisor / project.
No. If you do, you will be deemed to have failed CA326.

I submitted a signed proposal - does that mean it is accepted?
No. All project proposals may be subject to ratification by a school review panel. When a project has been submitted and approved, if will appear on the Proposal Status page.

What happens if I do not submit a functional specification by the deadline?
You will receive a mark of 0 out of 10 marks.

What happens if the team splits up during the project?
You both must talk to your supervisor and project coordinator immediately.

Do all team members have to be at the demo ?
Yes. If all members are not there, then no demo = fail.  

When will the demos be?
See the Demonstrations page

I am going abroad for INTRA and have to travel early, can I demo early?
Contact project coordinator. We will attempt to assist with any valid cases.

I am going on holidays, can I demo early?
No.

What happens if I do not demo on my scheduled day / time?
Any project which is not demonstrated will automatically receive a mark of zero (FAIL).

I got a low mark (less than 40%), can I compensate?
No. It is not possible to compensate CA326 as it is a core module.

I failed the project what do I do
You must repeat the project over the summer months. Details of this process will appear on this website after the project results are made available at the end of semester 2. Students repeating the project will be obliged to make contact with the year 3 project coordinator ca3project AT computing.dcu.ie.

Do I own the IPR on my project?

Please see Statement on Intellectual Property Arising from Undergraduate and Taught Postgraduate Student Projects