Module ARCH44560: MSc Dissertation

Department: Archaeology

ARCH44560: MSc Dissertation

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• For students to develop and demonstrate a range of skills learnt as part of their programme;
• For students to produce a research design on the chosen dissertation topic;
• Investigate in depth the approved topic using an appropriate range of library-based, practical, laboratory and/or field techniques;
• Ensure that students have the opportunity to engage in research, practising, developing and demonstrating research skills in a particular facet of the subject.

Content

• The dissertation enables students to develop and execute an extended piece of research on a specialised topic within their MSc programme.
• The topic is chosen in consultation with a specialist supervisor and approved by their MSc Director. Detailed guidelines on format and procedures are provided in the MSc handbooks.
• Under guidance of the assigned dissertation supervisor, students will:
• familiarise themselves with published literature on a specific topic;
• produce and follow an approved research design;
• conduct data collection, evaluation and drawing of conclusions. Data may derive from fieldwork, library resources (including legacy data) or their own laboratory analyses;
• write and present a dissertation of up to 15,000 words in a manner and format appropriate to the subject area.

Learning Outcomes

• a range of approaches, techniques, key terms, concepts, themes and debates relating to the specialised topic of the dissertation, including theory, method and application of specific scientific techniques;
• data analysis in the sub-discipline with in which they have conducted their research;
• critical awareness and understanding and understanding of their research in the wider setting of bioarchaeology and/or forensic science (as appropriate to their programme).

• Students will be able to:
• Collect, examine, record, analyse, interpret critically, draw justifiable conclusions from data and evidence gathered;
• Synthesise, present and acknowledge research information (including both quantitative and qualitative information from publications, collections, databases, subject specialists and tutors);
• Select and apply appropriate methods carefully and accurately, in line with the aims and objectives of their research design;
• Demonstrate familiarity with published literature relevant to the subject, be able to gather data and critically evaluate findings.

• Use computer and information technology (e.g. word processing, databases, graphing and/or image processing).
• Access library, museum, archive and/or World Wide Web resources.
• Undertake advanced independent study, research and problem solving.
• Communicate information and arguments effectively, in written, visual and computerised form, to specialist audiences.
• Take responsibility for personal, professional and ethical development in academic and professional environments responding actively to critical feedback.
• Manage time effectively, working to timetables and meeting deadlines.
• Contribute to the advancement of knowledge and understanding in a research field.

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

• Dissertation outline, deadlines and procedures are presented in an introductory lecture (1h).
• Research planning is discussed in a separate lecture (2h).
• Student submit a summative 1,500 research design and receive feedback by supervisor(s).
• Research design is then presented orally in class and feedback is provided by members of staff and fellow students.
• Further teaching support takes the form of advice provided through one-to-one tutorials with member(s) of staff assigned as dissertation supervisor(s). Tutorials are intended to:
• - help define the project and clarify objectives
• - discuss introductory reading
• - discuss progress
• The double-module dissertation is assessed on the content and presentation of the dissertation with specific reference to its originality, its independence of thought, clarity of arguments, and its mapping to acceptable standards of presentation appropriate to Level 4, as defined by the Board of Examiners of the Department of Archaeology.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Oral presentation of research design - feedback will be provided Single chapter/section of up to 2,000 words - feedback will be provided

■ 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