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Unit information: Dissertation in 2021/22

Please note: you are viewing unit and programme information for a past academic year. Please see the current academic year for up to date information.

Unit name Dissertation
Unit code PSYCM1000
Credit points 60
Level of study M/7
Teaching block(s) Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52)
Unit director Dr. Turk
Open unit status Not open
Pre-requisites

None

Co-requisites

None

School/department School of Psychological Science
Faculty Faculty of Life Sciences

Description including Unit Aims

The dissertation is based upon an independent research project developed in consultation with an Advisor. Project topic areas will be presented to students for selection towards the end of the first semester. The dissertation provides students with practical experience of formulating, designing, and undertaking a substantive and original piece of research. Students will also be required to develop an understanding of any research governance issues pertaining to their chosen project.

Intended Learning Outcomes

The central learning outcome is that students should understand the principles underlying design, implementation and communication of a research project.

Teaching Information

The project process begins with a presentation of the topic areas UoB members of academic staff are able to supervise.

Once a student is allocated a supervisor there will be regular meetings with the supervisor during which there will be discussion of hypotheses and appropriate design/analysis to test their research questions. During the course of the dissertation process, there will be meetings to ensure that projects are on track. Supervisors do not read drafts of dissertations; therefore, students should note that discussions with their supervisors play a critical role.

Assessment Information

Research dissertation in American Psychological Association (APA) style with a maximum of 8,000 words (100%).

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. PSYCM1000).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.

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