Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2005-2006 (archived)

Module BUSS3082: DISSERTATION IN BUSINESS

Department: ECONOMICS FINANCE AND BUSINESS (BUSINESS) [Queen's Campus, Stockton]

BUSS3082: DISSERTATION IN BUSINESS

Type Tied Level 3 Credits 40 Availability Available in 2005/06 Module Cap None. Location Queen's Campus Stockton
Tied to N200

Prerequisites

  • Any two Level 2 modules in Business, Finance or Economics (Modules with BUSS,ECON or ECOS codes).

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To provide students with an opportunity to undertake a substantial research project on an approved topic of interest and present their findings and conclusions in an extended and coherent piece of work. They will be required to utilise knowledge and understanding acquired in the precious two years, including, in particular, the training in research methods.

Content

  • The topic and scope of the dissertation will be discussed with the student's dissertation tutor and approved by the Director of Undergraduate Studies.
  • Individual tutorials with the dissertation tutor will be held during terms 1 and 2. Discussion at these tutorials will focus on issues such as dissertation outline, methodology and review of draft chapters. A series of six lectures in term 1 will take students through the various stages in the production of a dissertation.
  • All students will be issued with a Dissertation handbook to assist them in the conduct of their research and the preperation of the dissertation.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • By the end of the module students are expected:
  • To have acquired extended knowledge of a relevant topic of interest.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • To have acquired skills of independent research and project management.
  • To be able to demonstrate an ability to present and analyse data in a clear and appropriate manner.
  • To be able to demonstrate an ability to present arguments and conclusions in an extended and coherent form.
Key Skills:
  • Wtitten communication - through summative assessment
  • Computer literacy - by typing up the dissertation

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Teaching is by lectures, four tutorials and support for student centred learning. Learning takes place through attendance at lectures, preparation for and participation in the four tutorial classes and private study ( including student centred learning.) Formative assessment is by means of preparation of dissertation outline, including methodology, and draft chapters for discussion at tutorials. Summative assessment is through the production of a dissertation of 12,000 words.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 6 Term 1 1 hour 6
Tutorials 4 By agreement with tutors in terms 1 and 2 1 4
Seminars
Other
Preparation and Reading 390
Total 400

Summative Assessment

Component: Dissertation Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Dissertation 12,000 words 100%

Formative Assessment:

Preparation of dissertation outline, including methodology, and draft chapters for discussion at tutorials.


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University