Postgraduate Course: Clinical Sciences Dissertation (MMED11003)
Course Outline
| School | Edinburgh Medical School |
College | College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine |
| 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 Dissertation in Clinical Sciences is a capstone research project and reflective written element, designed for students to demonstrate advanced research capabilities in a specialised area of clinical sciences.
This research component allows students to apply comprehensive knowledge and skills developed during their course to a significant piece of independent research, culminating in the preparation of a substantial dissertation of 10-12,000 words.
Participants wishing to pursue alternative formats will need to take particular care that their dissertation proposal details how they will demonstrate an appropriate level of critical analysis, academic knowledge and reflection on the nature of enquiry.
The reflective element is 2000 words in length, documenting the learning pathway through self evaluation. |
| Course description |
Provide an academic description, an outline of the content
1) Academic description
Students will be asked to submit a research project dissertation of 10-12,000 words. This may report a piece of original research (lab, translational or clinical), an extensive audit or quality improvement project, a systematic review, or meta-analysis.
The subject matter must be relevant to an area of clinical research, informed by the student¿s course profile.
Before beginning, a detailed assignment proposal must be submitted and approved by the candidate's supervisor, and the organising team. A self-assessment of the ethical considerations must be completed, with further approvals sought as required.
2) Outline Content
The dissertation will consolidate the knowledge and understanding gained from 120 credits of study, addressing a clearly formulated research question and/or aims.
This research phase provides an opportunity to study their chosen topic in depth, through appraisal of the available literature, the application of a robust methodology, and the clear articulation of their analysis and interpretation of the available data.
A written reflective element of 2000 words will demonstrate ongoing evaluation of the research process and the critical evaluation of the decisions taken when authoring the final output.
3) Student learning experience
This feature will require a high level of commitment and application from the candidate. It provides a valuable exercise in the writing and presentation of information to a standard that engages appropriately with academic conventions in relation to style, tone, structuring and referencing.
The reflective element encourages students to deepen their understanding of the topic and the research methodologies employed; highlighting the research pathway, the challenges faced and how they were overcome. This insight also provides a learner journey for future reference and onward reflection and development.
4) Supported learning
Progress check points will be incorporated into the timetable for delivery to audit progress, and to surface any concerns.
The student will have access to a variety of resources provided by the Careers Service and Library staff, including the Library biannual dissertation festival - in place to support the completion of a dissertation.
Supervision for this element of the MSc will be provided by existing academic staff and subject experts currently employed by the University of Edinburgh or National Health Service staff.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | Tuition fee |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2026/27, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Full Year |
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 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
80 %,
Coursework
20 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Assessment is based on:«br /»
Submission of a dissertation of 10-12,000 words; this may include, but is not limited to, the creation and interpretation of new knowledge through original research or critique. «br /»
A written reflective element of 2000 words.«br /»
«br /»
Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0%«br /»
«br /»
Dissertation (80%)«br /»
Reflective element (20%) |
| Feedback |
Students will be asked to submit a project outline at the start of the academic year on which they will receive written formative feedback. At this stage, the outline must be approved by the teaching team before any work is undertaken.
Formative feedback will be given on an informal basis through direct contact between supervisor and student as the year progresses. This feedback will be in written or live audio (or video) form.
Dissertation and the reflective element will be marked with summative feedback provided following the ratification of marks at the Board of Examiners.
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| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Critically review, consolidate and extend knowledge, skills, practices, and thinking to complete and report a substantial research, data-analysis or meta-analysis project.
- Demonstrate enhanced structured learning, and the connection between theory and practices through reflection and evaluation of their learning process.
- Demonstrate appropriate use of citation, statistical analysis, and research methodology.
- Demonstrate project management skills that enable them to manage complex tasks with efficiency, communicate effectively, and adjust adaptively in both professional and academic settings.
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Reading List
Students will benefit from a wide range of resources provided the University of Edinburgh library for our dissertation year students.
For example, the library hosts a biannual dissertation and thesis festival: https://tinyurl.com/39wete9e
Many transferrable skills courses are provided:
https://information-services.ed.ac.uk/helpconsultancy/is-skills/programmes-courses-andtoolkits/online-resources-dissertation-thesis
In addition to the extensive catalogue of e-books and open-access resources that support self-directed research into specialist areas of research. |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
a) Mindsets:
Enquiry and lifelong learning:
Graduates of this course will be encouraged to pursue their own curiosity and to learn and develop in the field of clinical science research, to strive for excellence in their own professional practice, and to strive to improve understanding of clinical science, and implementation of this understanding, as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Aspiration and personal development:
Students will be encouraged to draw on their own experiences to identify areas in which they wish to grow and develop acknowledging that different students will have different priorities and aspirations.
Outlook and engagement:
Students will be asked to bring to the course experiences from their own practice, often specifically relating to their own geographical context, that can be used to explore learning, engage with individuals from other international communities on the programme.
b) Skills:
Research and enquiry:
Students will be aware of ethical consideration when conducting research, and the use of data and technologies.
They will use and further develop newly acquired expertise in accessing the literature and critical appraisal, to incorporate the findings of primary research in their arguments, discussions, and assessments.
Project management:
A master's dissertation advances project management skills by fostering autonomy in time management, organisation, risk assessment, resource allocation, and problem-solving.
Personal and intellectual autonomy:
The dissertation is a self-directed component, and whilst there is likely to be regular contact with a supervisor, there is no regular teaching. Students will therefore develop personal and intellectual autonomy.
Personal effectiveness:
Success on the course will require students to be effective and proactive learners. Using the resources of their dissertation supervisor, and the university learning and information environment, students will be encouraged and supported to contribute to their own learning, as well as that of others.
Communication:
Excellence in the dissertation element of the programme requires the attainment of a high standard of written communication skills.
Reflective writing enhances communication skills by fostering clarity of thought and self-awareness, allowing individuals to organize their ideas coherently and understand their communication weaknesses.
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| Keywords | Dissertation,Clinical Sciences,Research,Data analysis |
Contacts
| Course organiser | |
Course secretary | |
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