CH983-20 Research Dissertation
Introductory description
This module is primarily provided to enable completion of the PG Diploma through completion of a research dissertation short project. The philosophy of the PGT degrees led through Chemistry is to provide a student experience and training which brings them to the state of the art in the field. The Research Dissertation module is thus a key component of the course, since it provides students with the opportunity to carry out a research project under the supervision of an academic or a researcher from industry. Students are given guidance from the supervisor, and have the opportunity to gain an deep knowledge of an specific area that is related to their course with guidance aimed at developing deeper thinking and analytical skills.
Module aims
The module is designed to develop student research and extended cognition skills, through an extended project in an area of the related MSc course. Through working with a supervisor, students will gain an in-depth understanding of the key aspects of a selected area of their subject and learn to assess the relative merits of various works as well as set results in context against the current field. This module will allow students to be original in their application of knowledge to the solution of new, research-led problems.
This module is primarily provided to enable completion of the PG Diploma through completion of a research dissertation r short project. The philosophy of the PGT degrees led through Chemistry is to provide a student experience and training which brings them to the state of the art in the field. The Research Dissertation module is thus a key component of the course, since it provides students with the opportunity to carry out a research project under the supervision of an academic or a researcher from industry. Students are given guidance from the supervisor, and have the opportunity to gain an deep knowledge of an specific area that is related to their course with guidance aimed at developing deeper thinking and analytical skills.
Students are assigned two academic markers from the outset, one of whom may be supervising the project themselves. One is assigned as the principal marker (not supervisor should that case arise) and provides the student with a contact (in addition to the personal tutor), with whom they can discuss the direction of the project and any difficulties that might arise. The supervisor contributes 40% of the marks, based on overall performance of the student and the knowledge of the area covered (the supervisor is likely to be the most proficient expert), 40% of the marks are based on the marking of the report by the other academic marker, and 20% will be derived from the marking of the presentation (double marked by academics).
Students will be expected to present a 8,000 word report which should be at the standard of a research/review paper. They also present their work in the form of a seminar to the rest of the class and other academics. This forms part of the assessment of the project. During this session, students face questions from their peers and academics. These activities allow students to develop presentation and communication skills.
Outline syllabus
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
Research project
Ten week project researching a specialised topic in the area of a PGT course under the direction of an academic or industrial supervisor and their team.
Presentations
Presentation (15 min) of the research project as a report and in a seminar in front of their peers and academic markers
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Understand and be aware of current research relating to the area of the research project.
- Critically evaluate the literature and identify the most important body of work
- Identify opportunities to advance the field of research in the selected area of the project
- Present to peers a critical evaluation of their research work and to be able to defend their work to an audience of peers.
- Write a high quality report at research level including an appraisal of the literature, experimental methods, results and discussion, conclusions
Research element
Student-led research.
Subject specific skills
Through working with a supervisor, students will gain an in-depth understanding of the key aspects of a selected area of their subject and learn to assess the relative merits of various works as well as set results in context against the current field.
Transferable skills
Presenting to peers, critical evaluation of research, ability to defend own work to an audience of peers.
Writing a high quality report at research level including an appraisal of the literature,
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Project supervision | 10 sessions of 1 hour (5%) |
| Other activity | 100 hours (50%) |
| Assessment | 90 hours (45%) |
| Total | 200 hours |
Private study description
No private study requirements defined for this module.
Other activity description
Student-led research (ca. 100 h), student will focus on literature searching, prioritising literature and understanding literature. Weekly meetings will assist guiding student focus and with structuring assessed work.
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Assessment group A
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
Assessment component |
|||
| Seminar/Presentation | 20% | 18 hours | No |
|
A presentation. |
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Reassessment component is the same |
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Assessment component |
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| Dissertation | 80% | 72 hours | No |
|
A 8,000-word dissertation. |
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Reassessment component is the same |
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Feedback on assessment
Written feedback on specially-designed forms.
Courses
This module is Core optional for:
- Year 1 of TCHA-F1PY Postgraduate Taught Analytical Science and Instrumentation
-
TCHA-F1PL Postgraduate Taught Molecular Analytical Science
- Year 1 of F1PL Molecular Analytical Science
- Year 1 of F1PL Molecular Analytical Science
- Year 1 of TCHS-F1PK Postgraduate Taught Polymer Chemistry
- Year 1 of TCHA-F1PW Postgraduate Taught Polymer Science
- Polymer Science