Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2009-2010 (archived)

Module HEAS40560: Dissertation

Department: Health [Queen's Campus, Stockton]

HEAS40560: Dissertation

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 60 Availability Available in 2009/10 Module Cap
Tied to B9K109
Tied to B9K112

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • The objective of the dissertation is to allow the student to conduct, as an individual initiative, a substantial piece of academic work in their chosen academic programme, write it up and present it in a scholarly fashion.

Content

  • The content will be dependent upon the student's chosen topic and research method. This will decided in discussion with the student's dissertation supervisor. As a general principle, the content and method of the dissertation will be restricted to research topics that do not require the obtaining of ethical consent for the research.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • The student should demonstrate within the thesis an ability to synthesise various aspects of clinical management and assess of their significance for either the design of the thesis project, the generation and analysis of data, the drawing of conclusions and making of recommendations, and/or implementation of their findings and conclusions.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • This dissertation will extend the student’s analytical and written communication skills, and contribute to the extension of knowledge in their field.
Key Skills:
  • This dissertation will both extend the student’s analytical and written communication skills, and contribute to the extension of knowledge in their field and demonstrate the interprofessional context of the piece of work.

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

  • Independent study, research and analysis - Focuses student knowledge more deeply by pursuing aspects of the module that are of special interest to themselves and exploring specific applications in their field of study.
  • Library research - Promotes independent lifelong learning skills as well as promoting learning from a variety of sources.
  • Written assessment will test students' critical knowledge and understanding of key concepts, their ability to argue coherently and communicate effectively in writing, and to reflectively assess their proficiency in thinking through the complexity of health-related issues, the challenges of policy development, policy implementation and policy evaluation, and how these may impact health and health related services from a systems perspective.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Preparation & Reading self determined self determined self determined
Researching/Independent study self determined self determined self determined
Total 600

Summative Assessment

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

Formative Assessment:


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