Dear students,

The deadline for your Inception Report is the first Monday of the Spring Term, therefore you must submit a draft copy to your supervisor this Term in time to get his/her feedback and make suitable changes.

The report will be marked by your second marker, not your supervisor, and you must not contact your second marker to help with the preparation of the report. I will issue a list of second markers before the start of the Spring Term, note that you do not need this list to submit your report since this must be done through the web page (see deliverables tab on projects web pages for URL).

Although this report is marked, the main purpose is to help you with your project planning and ensure that your project scope is appropriate. Make sure that you use your interview wisely and get feedback from your second marker - make a list of questions and concerns before the interview and ensure that they are asked.

Your second marker may not be an expert in the precise topic of the project (though sometimes he//she will) but will be able to provide valuable advice about the project from an objective perspective - so pay attention to what is said and should this appear to contradict your supervisor it is in your interests to check and to resolve any differences or misunderstandings at this early stage in the project work.

The second marker will, together with your supervisor, determine your overall project and report mark at the end of the project.

Best wishes, Tom Clarke