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: Work-based dissertation (Science and Technology in Society) (PGSP11447)

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
SummaryStudents will undertake a dissertation linked to a work-based placement of no longer than 15,000 words on a topic related to science and technology studies, and to be submitted by a date specified in the University Regulations, usually by the end of August. These placements generally consist of eight weeks of on-location research with a host organisation, which may be in located in the UK or overseas. Our extensive network of partners includes NGOs, charities, social enterprises, think-tanks and government bodies.
The dissertation is an extended piece of scholarship in which a student is expected to formulate and sustain a substantive piece of independent research. The work is expected to engage critically and analytically with the literature in the field, building upon relevant concepts and theories introduced in the taught elements of the degree and deploying a range of primary and secondary sources as well as appropriate data-analytic and bibliographic skills. Each student will be allocated a research supervisor by the end of the second semester to advise on and oversee her/his research progress.
Course description Not entered
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)
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) The 15,000 word dissertation includes a research paper of 12,000 words and a research-based Diary of 3,000 words. Draft diaries must be sent on a fortnightly basis to the academic supervisor and the placement coordinator.
Feedback Not entered
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Critically understand the theories and concepts of science and technology studies
  2. Demonstrate a knowledge of academic and policy debates within science and technology studies relevant to the dissertation topic.
  3. Demonstrate a detailed knowledge of the case study examined and demonstrate skills in data analysis, academic writing and referencing.
  4. Critically evaluate and analyse the empirical evidence employed in the dissertation.
  5. Critically understand the challenges and realities of applying ideas from science and technology studies to policy development or project planning and implementation
Reading List
None
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Not entered
KeywordsNot entered
Contacts
Course organiserDr Lawrence Dritsas
Tel: (0131 6)50 4011
Email: L.Dritsas@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMiss Morag Wilson
Tel: (0131 6)51 5122
Email: morag.wilson@ed.ac.uk
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