southampton

Module overview

The dissertation module provides a context within which research skills can be developed. It provides the opportunity to apply and demonstrate the skills and knowledge acquired throughout the taught component of the MSc programme.

The dissertation by research is a hypothesis-driven small-scale empirical research project involving quantitative or qualitative research methods and may be laboratory based, data analysis/bioinformatics or a systematic literature review. Students are supported to identify a project and supervisors aligned to their interests.

Dissertation projects are undertaken over a period of approximately 4 months (full-time students) or 10 months (part-time students), with submission in late September.

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

You will be primarily supported by your supervisor(s), including at least one University of Southampton academic. Support from the module leads is available at all stages of the dissertation. Students will have access to Faculty of Medicine staff and resources, and will be given access to the module Blackboard website that provides comprehensive details about all stages of the dissertation, and a platform for submission of pieces of work for formative assessment.

Study time
Type	Hours
Independent Study	600
Total study time	600

Resources & Reading list

Internet Resources

Dissertation timeline Planner.

Assessment

Assessment strategy

The assessment for the module provides you with the opportunity to demonstrate achievement of the learning outcomes. In addition to the summative assessments, during the course of the module there will be opportunities to obtain feedback in the form of formative activities.

The pass mark for this module is 50%. Students who fail this module will have a resubmission opportunity in line with Section 7 of the regulations for Progression, Determination and Classification of Results: Postgraduate Master's Programmes (https://southampton.likn.co/about/governance/regulations-policies/taught-students/general/postgraduate-masters). You will be required to resubmit components where you have not achieved the pass mark. Additionally you will be required to submit a rebuttal to markers if you are resubmitting the written report. Marks for components which were passed will be carried forward, and the final module mark will be capped at 50%.

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

Draft piece

Assessment Type: Formative
Feedback:
Final Assessment: No
Group Work: No

Project proposal

Assessment Type: Formative
Feedback: Written feedback
Final Assessment: No
Group Work: No

Interim Report

Assessment Type: Formative
Feedback: Written feedback.
Final Assessment: No
Group Work: No

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Presentation & Peer Discussion	10%
Dissertation	90%

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Revised Dissertation	90%
Presentation & Peer Discussion	10%

Genomics Dissertation