Modules

Module title: Dissertation
SCQF level: 10:
SCQF credit value: 40.00
ECTS credit value: 20
Module code: BSV10111
Module leader: Andrew Brown
School School of Engineering and the Built Environment
Subject area group: Building and Surveying
Prerequisites

None
2018/9, Trimester 1, Face-to-Face, Edinburgh Napier University
Occurrence: 001
Primary mode of delivery: Face-to-Face
Location of delivery: MERCHISTON
Partner: Edinburgh Napier University
Member of staff responsible for delivering module: Andrew Brown
Module Organiser:


Learning, Teaching and Assessment (LTA) Approach:
?16. LTA approach

Learning & teaching methods including their alignment to Los
The aim is to advance the student’s research capabilities via a structured programme of lectures, incorporating workshop sessions, to impart the necessary skills (LOs:1,2,3). Tutorials will be held between the supervisor and student to monitor progress of the research and preparation of the dissertation (LOs:1,2,3).

Embedding of employability/ PDP/ scholarship skills
Many employers consider the completion of a Dissertation evidence of a graduate’s ability to work independently, time manage and self motivate. These are key skills in many organisations.

Research/teaching linkages
A substantial amount of research material generated by the Building Performance Centre, Centre for Timber Engineering and the Scottish Energy Centre is embedded in this module.

Supporting equality and diversity
The variety of teaching methods and types of assessments ensure that a range of backgrounds and aptitudes are catered for. The teaching materials are available in hard and electronic format (on WebCT) to cater for the diverse student group. Timetabled academic supervision is available each taught week of the module to support students.


Formative Assessment:
Assessment includes a Dissertation Proposal and an Interim Presentation. For the Dissertation proposal students are provided with extensive written formative feedback which is intedned to inform the final research elements included I their dissertation. The Interim Presentation is assessed by a Dissertation Panel which comprises varies BSV staff members. Oral and written formative feedback is provided to all students on the quality of the progress they have made 12 weeks before the submission date of the dissertation. The Dissertation Proposal and the interim Progress Presentation are also marked with each contributing 5% towards the final module mark. Students are required to meet with their supervisor at least 3 times to obtain feedback on the work they have produced. Students are required to keep a diary of these meetings.

Summative Assessment:
While the goal of the Dissertation Proposal and the Interim Presentation is primarily to provide formative feedback, they are summatively assessed with each counting for 5% of the final module mark. the final dissertation is assessed summatively by two independent examiners. The final dissertation has an indicative word limit of 10,000 words. Summative assessment contributes 90% towards final module mark. Where the two independent examiners are within 10% range of one another, the mark for the dissertation document is agreed as the average. Where the marks are greater than 10% apart, a third independent examiner marks the dissertation document. The agreed dissertation document mark is then taken as the average between the two closest marks out of the three marks.

Student Activity (Notional Equivalent Study Hours (NESH))
Mode of activityLearning & Teaching ActivityNESH (Study Hours)
Face To Face Lecture 36
Independent Learning Guided independent study 152
Independent Learning Project Supervision 12
Total Study Hours200
Expected Total Study Hours for Module200


Assessment
Type of Assessment Weighting % LOs covered Week due Length in Hours/Words
Dissertation 90 1-3 13 HOURS= 0, WORDS= 10000
Report 5 1 12 HOURS= 0, WORDS= 1500
Oral Presentation 5 2 15 HOURS= 0.5, WORDS= 0
Component 1 subtotal: 100
Component 2 subtotal: 0
Module subtotal: 100

Description of module content:

Introduction to Research and the Dissertation
Selection of Dissertation topic, aims, objectives and hypothesis
Selecting your topic area and outlining the research problem
Literature and Information Sources
Literature Review - What it is and how to do it
Research Methodology, Research Method and Research Design
Data and Principles of Data Collection
Preparing the Dissertation Proposal
Data Collection - Instruments and Tools
Data Presentation and Data Analysis
Writing a Dissertation and Referencing
Learning Outcomes for module:

On completion of this module you will be able to:
LO1: demonstrate the ability to initiate, organise and complete a rigorous academic exercise;
LO2: investigate a topic of study in depth through research;
LO3: demonstrate ability in analysis, synthesis, planning and communication.
Indicative References and Reading List - URL:

Recommended - NAOUM S J. (2013) DISSERTATION RESEARCH AND WRITING FOR CONSTRUCTION STUDENTS: ROUTLEDGE, 3rd ed. - ISBN: 9780415538442
Recommended - FARREL P (2011) WRITING A BUILT ENVIRONMENT DISSERTATION - PRACTICAL GUIDANCE AND EXAMPLES: WILEY BLACKWELL, 1st ed. - ISBN: 9781405198516
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