THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2017/2018

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Social and Political Science : Postgrad (School of Social and Political Studies)

Postgraduate Course: Dissertation (MSc in Management of Bioeconomy, Innovation and Governance) (PGSP11338)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Social and Political Science CollegeCollege of Humanities and Social Science
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate)
Course typeDissertation AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits60 ECTS Credits30
SummaryThe student undertakes a 15,000 word dissertation to be submitted by a date specified in the University Regulations.
The student is expected to formulate and research in depth a topic largely of his or her own choosing with the guidance of an academic supervisor. The student is encouraged to apply concepts and skills from the programme coursework to a current issue or problem, where possible in the area of their current or intended work, and possibly formulated in cooperation with their employing or sponsoring organisation or another outside body. The work for the dissertation may include appropriate empirical work. The student is expected to engage with a substantial body of literature, to refine and extend their grasp of relevant concepts and theory, and to demonstrate appropriate analytical and bibliographic skills.
Course description The dissertation is an extended piece of writing of up to 15,000 words, based on independent study of a topic largely of the student¿s choosing. It tests students' ability to conduct research autonomously, to organise effectively bigger quantities of information and to communicate their research findings in a fluent and structured fashion. Within the field of study of the management of Bioeconomy, Innovation and Governance, you will be expected to demonstrate your ability to engage critically and analytically with literature in the field, building upon relevant concepts and theory covered in the taught element of the programme.

Outline content

The course consists of self-study and research: however, an indicative timetable is provided below.

Late January - Early February - Group dissertation meeting with Programme Director.

Late February - Students submit outline of project proposal.

Mid-March- Supervisors allocated.

April- First meeting with supervisor, discuss proposal.

Mid-May- Submit first draft chapter.

June and July- Contact supervisor as mutually agreed.

Mid-July- Finish first draft.

August 11- Submit dissertation.

This is a dissertation course. Therefore the primary form of student experience consists of the student conducting their own research and writing in an in-depth project of their own choice. However, students can expect the following from their supervisor in the dissertation project:

-normally 3-4 supervision meetings,
-detailed feedback on a full dissertation plan and one chapter
-help with and feedback on the general structure and organisation of the argument(s)
-ongoing help with specific queries

The supervisor should: help the student to define the research problem and focus your argument and topic, · advise on methodology, coherence and relevance of the dissertation, · discuss mutual availability and methods of contact etc, · give basic advice on relevant bodies of literature to get the research started and/or refer the student to another member of staff for suggestions on sources; · discuss and approve draft outline and timetable of work; · provide diagnostic comment and constructive suggestions on one chapter in good time (normally within two weeks of receipt); help with issues of thesis and dissertation structure.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2017/18, Available to all students (SV1) Quota:  None
Course Start Block 5 (Sem 2) and beyond
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 600 ( Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 12, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 588 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) 100% assessed by a 15,000 word dissertation. The assessment criteria are:
1. Formulation and presentation of research problem
2. Review of literature and contextualisation of study
3. Discussion of methods used to collect and analyse relevant information, including ethics
4. Development and coherence of arguments
5. Use of supporting evidence and evaluation of evidence
6. Drawing together major arguments by way of conclusion in relation to the original research problem
7. Degree of reflexivity, critical thinking and originality of argument
8. Formal presentation of dissertation: correct referencing and quoting; spelling, grammar and style; layout and visual presentation
Feedback Students will have the opportunity, as noted above, to receive detailed feedback on a dissertation plan and one chapter of the dissertation to ensure that they are on track with their research and build up to the final submission.
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. With guidance, identify and formulate an appropriate dissertation project within the scope of the programmepletion of the dissertation students will have demonstrated that they can: ¿ With guidance, identify and formulate an appropriate dissertation project within the scope of the programme. ¿ Undertake a sustained piece of supervised but independent work, and manage the conduct and timing of this work. ¿ Engage critically and analytically with issues and material in their chosen area ¿ Deploy appropriate knowledge, concepts, theories and methods in developing an extended argument and, where appropriate, analysing empirical material. ¿ Present a clear and coherent dissertation.
  2. Undertake a sustained piece of supervised but independent work, and manage the conduct and timing of this work.
  3. Engage critically and analytically with issues and material in their chosen area
  4. Deploy appropriate knowledge, concepts, theories and methods in developing an extended argument and, where appropriate, analysing empirical material
  5. Present a clear and coherent dissertation.
Reading List
None
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Not entered
KeywordsNot entered
Contacts
Course organiserDr Farah Huzair
Tel: (0131 6)50 6386
Email: farah.huzair@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMiss Morag Wilson
Tel: (0131 6)51 5122
Email: morag.wilson@ed.ac.uk
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