Dissertation (MSc/Dip Science and Technology Studies) (P00842)

? Credit Points : 60 ? SCQF Level : 11 ? Acronym : SPS-P-STSD

All students will undertake a 15,000 word dissertation on a topic in the field of science and technology studies, to be submitted by a date specified in the University Regulations.

The dissertation is an extended piece of scholarship in which a student is expected to formulate and study in depth a topic largely of their own choosing, under the guidance of an academic supervisor. In the course of the dissertation, the student is expected to engage critically and analytically with a particular area of empirical study within the field of science and technology studies, to refine and extend their grasp of relevant concepts and theory introduced in the taught element of the degree, and to demonstrate competence in deploying a range of sources as well as appropriate analytic and bibliographic skills. Students are not expected to undertake the exhaustive literature review or empirical work typical of higher research degrees, though a limited amount of empirical research may be included in the preparation of the dissertation.

Entry Requirements

none

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Postgraduate (School of Social and Political Studies), (School of Social and Political Studies, Schedule J)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : Postgraduate

? Delivery Period : Semester 2 (Blocks 3-4)

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

Successful completion of the dissertation will demonstrate the student's ability:
- to undertake a sustained piece of supervised but independent work within the field of science and technology studies
- to manage the conduct, presentation, and timing of such a piece of work
- to employ relevant knowledge, concepts, theories and analytic approaches from the field of science and technology studies in formulating an extended argument based on empirical material
- to engage critically and analytically with the literature in their chosen field of specialist interest