| Unit name | Dissertation |
|---|---|
| Unit code | BRMSM0009 |
| Credit points | 60 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52) |
| Unit director | Dr. Wade |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | Bristol Medical School |
| Faculty | Faculty of Health Sciences |
Why is this unit important?
The dissertation unit provides you with the opportunity to conduct a piece of independent research, supported by your supervisors, written up in the format of a journal article. This unit will enable you to develop further skills in framing a research question, scoping relevant literature, analysing data, presenting results in an appropriate written format, interpreting findings and identifying key strengths and limitations of your research. After submitting your dissertation, we encourage you to consider publishing your research, where appropriate.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
The dissertation is the final stage of the MSc programme and builds on the knowledge gained from the taught units of the programme. You will apply your new knowledge and skills learnt during the earlier stages of the programme to an independent research project written in the form of a journal article. Full-time students start working on their research project after the teaching block 2 assessment period and will complete within approximately three months. Part-time students are provided with the same amount of time as full-time students but spread over a longer duration, where the start date is tailored to their specific timing and workload.
An overview of content
You will work on an independent research project, depending on your MSc programme, that could be a quantitative analysis of previously collected data (either applied or methods development), an evidence synthesis project, economic modelling or qualitative study. You will select a topic from a comprehensive list or, in exceptional circumstances, design your own project in collaboration with supervisor(s). Once allocated a project, you will work independently, with support from two or more academic supervisors. For all projects, you will be required to undertake a literature review to contextualise your research question. You will also be required to consider and discuss any ethical issues related to your specific project. The project will require you to select and apply appropriate methods to address your research question, interpret results, draw conclusions and discuss your findings in the context of existing literature, highlighting key strengths and weaknesses of your research.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit?
Your independent research project will introduce you to the processes required for conducting and writing up scientific research, a key skill required for both academic and non-academic careers. Through working collaboratively with your supervisory team, you will acquire skills needed for working as part of research team.
Learning Outcomes
You will be mainly working independently on your research project, appropriately guided by the unit leads and supported by your supervisors. You will meet regularly with your supervisors – you will be allowed seven hours of contact time with your supervisors, who will advise and guide you through the completion of your research project, providing constant feedback on your progress. Meetings are likely to be a mixture of in-person and online meetings depending on what you and your supervisor arrange. The research symposium, which will be in-person, will provide you with an opportunity for you to present your project, answer questions from your peers, and gain feedback from tutors and peers.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
There are two structured formative assessments as part of this unit. You will be asked to provide a 1-page outline of your allocated dissertation project before starting your project. Unit leads will review the project outline, making sure that it is feasible for you to undertake, provide structured feedback on this outline and approve the project. Mid-way through the dissertation period, you will be required to give an oral poster presentation of your research project in a research symposium of your peers, supervisors and unit leads, where you will also answer questions on your research. After the symposium, you will be given written feedback summarising your progress, questions asked and feedback on your work, which you are encouraged to discuss with your supervisors and consider when writing your dissertation. These activities will not be formally assessed but you will be required to engage with these to successfully complete the unit. Your supervisors are also allowed to review and provide feedback on one full draft of your dissertation before submission.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
You will produce a written dissertation in the format of an academic journal article with a maximum limit of 10,000 words (ILOs 1-4; 100% of total unit mark), where comprehensive formatting guidance will be provided.
When assessment does not go to plan
If you do not pass the unit, you may be given the opportunity to resubmit your work depending on the mark you have achieved and as per the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
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. BRMSM0009).
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 University 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. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
