Postgraduate Course: Dissertation (MSc in Data and Decision Analytics - Online Learning) (CMSE11613)
Course Outline
| School | Business School |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
| Course type | Online Distance Learning |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 60 |
ECTS Credits | 30 |
| Summary | The Business School MSc Dissertation is undertaken within a predetermined timeframe, which from start to finish lasts approximately 4 months (May-August). Undertaking the Dissertation requires the student to develop a deep level of analysis and understanding of the theory and processes of organisations and the business environment through the completion of a piece of individual research. |
| Course description |
The Dissertation aims to make an in depth study of a topic in which the student is particularly interested in within the field of Data and Decision Analytics. It allows the student to gain experience of planning, designing, executing and reporting a significant piece of individual research. Experience is also gained in the processes involved in research, such as primary data collection from individuals, securing their co-operation and consent, analysing and evaluating data, coding mathematical models and algorithms, and framing recommendations. Students are supposed to learn how to communicate complex ideas and information in a coherent and structured manner.
Student learning experience
The Dissertation provides the opportunity for students to engage in a research project and, in particular, the ability to study a specific topic and question, identify the issues and how they may be researched, collect and validate appropriate data, organise and discuss the findings, their reliability and validity and present results in a logical and clear manner.
The Dissertation integrates elements from the course of study and requires students to identify and define a research topic, conduct the research and write it up in a Dissertation format. This is all within a predetermined timeframe, which from start to finish lasts approximately 4 months (May-August).
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Course Delivery Information
|
| Academic year 2024/25, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
|
Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Block 5 (Sem 2) and beyond |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
600
(
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 3,
Dissertation/Project Supervision Hours 7,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 12,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
578 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| Additional Information (Assessment) |
100% Project report (Individual) - Assesses all course Learning Outcomes |
| Feedback |
Formative: Delivered throughout live sessions with advisor.
Summative: Feedback will be provided on assessment.
|
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Study in depth a topic within the field of business analytics at or approaching the level of current or recent research.
- Plan, design, execute and report a significant piece of individual research, which entails gathering and analysing data, coding mathematical models and algorithms, and framing recommendations.
- Critically apply skills developed earlier in the programme to real business analytics problems.
- Communicate complex ideas and information in a coherent and structured manner.
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Communication, ICT, and Numeracy Skills
After completing this course, students should be able to:
Convey meaning and message through a wide range of communication tools, including digital technology
and social media; to understand how to use these tools to communicate in ways that sustain positive and
responsible relationships.
Critically evaluate and present digital and other sources, research methods, data and information; discern
their limitations, accuracy, validity, reliability and suitability; and apply responsibly in a wide variety of
organisational contexts.
Knowledge and Understanding
After completing this course, students should be able to:
Demonstrate a thorough knowledge and understanding of contemporary organisational disciplines;
comprehend the role of business within the contemporary world; and critically evaluate and synthesise primary
and secondary research and sources of evidence in order to make, and present, well informed and transparent
organisation-related decisions, which have a positive global impact.
Identify, define and analyse theoretical and applied business and management problems, and develop
approaches, informed by an understanding of appropriate quantitative and/or qualitative techniques, to explore
and solve them responsibly.
Practice: Applied Knowledge, Skills and Understanding
After completing this course, students should be able to:
Apply creative, innovative, entrepreneurial, sustainable and responsible business solutions to address
social, economic and environmental global challenges.
Cognitive Skills
After completing this course, students should be able to:
Be self-motivated; curious; show initiative; set, achieve and surpass goals; as well as demonstrating
adaptability, capable of handling complexity and ambiguity, with a willingness to learn; as well as being able to
demonstrate the use digital and other tools to carry out tasks effectively, productively, and with attention to
quality. |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Douglas Alem
Tel: (0131 6)51 1036
Email: douglas.alem@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | |
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