This document outlines the guidelines and timeline for students completing the CE 6801 Research Project module, which is compulsory for the MSc program. It details the expectations for formulating a research topic and proposal, identifying a supervisor, and conducting the independent research project over the coming months. Key deadlines are provided for interim progress assessments, draft submissions, final presentations and thesis submission to ensure projects are completed on schedule. Students are expected to effectively use their time each week and maintain proper records of their research work and discussions with supervisors.

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RESEARCH PROJECT INFORMATION SHEET (7th
Intake)
MSc / PG Diploma in Water Resources Engineering and Management
UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Centre for South Asia Water Management (UMCSAWM)
University of Moratuwa
CE 6801 Research Project (Preliminary Defence)
[For M. Sc. (Part-time) registrants]
CE 6801 Research Project Guidelines
Dear All (M. Sc. Part-time Registrants/Candidates),
Postgraduate degree research study involves original and critical enquiry that makes a significant
contribution to existing knowledge of relevance both nationally/regionally and
internationally. Research candidates are required to produce a dissertation or thesis embodying the results
of an independent investigation under the guidance of an academic supervisor.
We have decided to commence the module CE 6801 Research Project and introduce research projects
from the month of July, to allow students more time to focus on this important component of your M.Sc.
degree program.
This module carries 20 credits and is compulsory for all M. Sc. candidates. Early commencement of
actual research work will let you achieve the time targets, enabling you to complete your
research projects in time.
You are expected to effectively use your time during the weekdays (Monday ~ Thursday) starting from
the very beginning of the research topic formulation stage itself until the date of final submission. Please
initiate and continue formal/informal discussions with the Overall Program Coordinator/Course
Coordinator/Tentative Supervisor(s) to compose, refine and shape your research topic, enabling you to
formulate a manageable individual research project proposal, considering the time frame and resources
available.
You are requested to:
i). Formulate and submit a research theme/topic of your interest.
ii). Identify the possible supervisor from the water group and give the name (refer to UMCSAWM
Brochure or Department/UMCSAWM webpage to see the research involvements of staff
members)
iii). Prepare references/background materials pertaining to your title/theme.
iv). List briefly about the data availability and how the balance data collection would be done
(please note that there may not be any allocation of funds for data, traveling, etc.).
v). Students are expected to maintain a Research Project Record Book in which the result and the
interim defenses/feedback/grading/recommendations will be reported and signed by the
supervisor after each monthly evaluation.
vi). Details of the timeline of your research project work (Important dates) are as follows.

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CE6801 - Research Project Works (With Important Dates)
a) Introduction to Research Project (Draft Proposal Defence) – 14th
July 2023
b) Introduction to Research Project (Proposal Defence/Progress) – 21st
July 2023
c) Preliminary Progress/Proposal Defence (Research Title/Problem Statement/Objectives/Data
Requirements) – 27th
July 2023
d) 01st
Interim Defence (Specific Objectives/Literature Review/Introduction/Methodology
Flowchart/ Data Requirements/Data Collection/Data Checking) – 08th
August 2023
e) 2nd
Progress Review Presentation – 14th
September 2023
f) 2nd
Interim Defence (Literature Review Completed/ Confirmation of Analysis Methodology) –
05th
October 2023
g) 3rd
Progress Review Presentation – 20th
October 2023
h) 03rd
Interim Defence (Literature Review Completed/ Analysis & Results 75% Completed) –
05th
December 2023
i) 4th
Progress Review Presentation – 21st
December 2023
j) 04th
Interim Defence (Overall thesis 85% Completed Progress Review) – 11th
January 2024
k) Paper Abstract Submission – (1 pg.) – 18th
January 2024
l) 05th
Interim Defence (Submission of 95% Completed thesis) – 08th
February 2024
m) Submission of Draft Full Paper (8-10 pgs.) – 15th
February 2024
n) Draft Final Thesis Submission to Supervisor – 25th
February 2024
o) Submission of Full Paper (8-10 pgs.) – 28th
February 2024
p) Preliminary/Qualifying Final Presentation/Viva – 05th
March 2024
q) Final Thesis Draft for Panel & Submission of PPT – 15th
March 2024
r) Research Project Final Presentation/Viva – 20th
March 2024
s) Submission of Corrected Draft Final Copy – 28th
March 2024
t) Submission of Final (Corrected & Bound) Copy [ Strictly within 1 month with Minor
Corrections and within 2 months if Major Corrections from the date of Viva – 04th
April 2024
Note: Interim Defence/Reviews (Formal presentation sessions) will be arranged within two months and Progress
presentation sessions will be arranged in between to monitor the research project continuity and responses to the
comments given (should be shown with a Response sheet and in an additional slide).
Preliminary/Qualifying Final Presentation should be successfully completed, to be allowed for final submission. We plan
to issue you the Academic Transcript before your departure if you strictly adhere to the schedules given.

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vii). Please kindly note that the full-time students should continue their research project works from
Monday ~ Thursday during regular work hours, targeting to achieve some significant outcomes
prior to their interim assessments.
viii). Assignment and coursework-related work strictly not allowed during the time allocated for
regular research project work (regular hours of the work week).
ix). No postponements or extensions will be possible to any deadlines stipulated above due to the
fixed and tight schedule without much flexibility. Students are advised to look ahead for
subsequent deadlines and plan their time schedules accordingly due to limited time gaps
between consecutive deadlines.
x). All raw data/data & results files/literature sources should be properly labeled, filed, and
submitted (hardcopy & softcopy versions).
xi). Please maintain a Research Diary and a Research Folder/File, recording all important discussion
points, outcomes, and targets/deadlines and you are supposed to carry this whenever you meet
your supervisor for research discussions.
Thank you very much for your understanding and cooperation.
With best regards,
Course Coordinator