| Unit name | Dissertation |
|---|---|
| Unit code | PHEDM1002 |
| Credit points | 60 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52) |
| Unit director | Dr. Li |
| 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 | School for Policy Studies |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
Why is this unit important?
This unit aims to teach you to design and conduct quality research in the field of nutrition, physical activity and public health. This can involve planning and completing:
The dissertation should demonstrate that you understand how to: frame research questions, critique, draw upon and develop appropriate conceptual and theoretical approaches, develop and apply an appropriate research strategy, analyse data, interpret the findings and draw conclusions that are integrated within wider academic debates.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study
All the taught units and the previous assignments prepare you for the dissertation by providing you with a good understanding of the latest evidence (knowledge), methodological and theoretical issues in nutrition, physical activity and public health as well as information search and critical analytical skills. The dissertation will then allow you to further develop and demonstrate your knowledge and research skills in a chosen topic by designing and conducting a real research project with support from your supervisors and the wider teaching team.
An overview of content
The dissertation unit comprises a series of interactive, group-based and one to one learning activities to support the student to develop, plan and conduct a research project in a chosen topic area within nutrition, physical activity and public health.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of this unit
You will become more confident that you have an in-depth knowledge of your specialist subject area and can critically evaluate research that others have undertaken. You will have the ability to select and use appropriate research methodologies. You will be aware of ethical issues and can work within ethical constraints. You will be able to develop a logical and consistent argument, supported by empirical research. You will be able to integrate theoretical perspectives alongside empirical research findings. You will be able to communicate results effectively and professionally. You will have the ability to carry out original work independently.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the unit, you will be able to:
This unit will involve a briefing lecture, several workshops and ongoing support and guidance from supervisors and the wider teaching team within the Centre of Exercise, Nutrition and Health Sciences.
You will be expected to submit a written research proposal as for your project, after which you will be assigned a dissertation supervisor. Thereafter, individual study will be supported by regular, one-to-one academic supervision meetings.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Supervision meetings, application for ethics approval and opportunity to submit drafts for feedback.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Dissertation (5000 words maximum, 100%) in the form of an academic paper for a scientific journal
This assessment covers all of the unit learning outcomes.
When assessment does not go to plan:
Subject to the university regulations for taught programmes, you may be offered an opportunity for reassessment. This will comprise a task of the same format as the original assessment.
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. PHEDM1002).
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.
