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Module

MUS8202 : Dissertation

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Christopher Tarrant
  • Owning School: Arts & Cultures
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 1 Credit Value: 10
Semester 2 Credit Value: 20
Semester 3 Credit Value: 50
ECTS Credits: 40.0
European Credit Transfer System

Aims

To enable students:
- to engage in an extended research project
- to consolidate and develop research techniques, critical skills, and scholarly imagination
- to demonstrate professional scholarly practice and develop skills in writing and presentation
appropriate to the chosen medium

In this module students pursue an extended research project on a topic of their own choice and
present the results in the form of a dissertation. Students submit a proposal draft for their research
for approval at the beginning of the academic year. They must demonstrate a clear set of aims, and
that their proposal is practicable in scope and implied resourcing. Each student is assigned a
supervisor, who will offer general guidance and monitor progress throughout the year. Students
undertake training in writing and referencing a Literature Review, which is part of the Research
Training Module. In addition, they have three group sessions specific to the dissertation which
supports the writing of the research proposal, general progress support and the final stages of
submission. During Semester 1 Assessment period, students will give an oral presentation informed
by their studies to that point.

Students should note that the responsibility for making and maintaining contact with their supervisor
is ultimately theirs.

Outline Of Syllabus

N/A

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching101:0010:00Supervisions (structured interactions). PIP or synchronous online in case of lockdown
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study1790:00790:00N/A
Total800:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Since this is a dissertation module, focused on a topic of the student's own choice, the bulk of the student's time is devoted to private study and research. Students are recommended to arrange regular tutorials with their supervisor - ten structured one hour interactions. In addition, students are expected to take the relevant research training module. Students are also required to attend research seminars throughout the course of the year.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Exams
Description Length Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Oral Presentation201A10Oral presentation of 20 mins relating to dissertation and a written-up version of the presentation
Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Dissertation3A90A dissertation of 16000 to 24000 words, submitted by the end of sem 3
Formative Assessments

Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.

Description Semester When Set Comment
Research proposal1MResearch Proposal is mandatory. Students are assigned a supervisor upon approval of research proposal.
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Research Proposal tests viability of proposed research and research planning skills. Presentation tests oral presentation skills, the ability to organise and present research to date, and to garner mid-point feedback and development of the research project. The quality of the dissertation tests all the learning outcomes.

The oral presentation takes place in the January Postgraduate Students conference and is double marked by the Degree Programme Director and another member of staff in Music.

Part-time students take the dissertation in the second year of their degree programme.

Reading Lists

Timetable