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Module

TCP8099 : Dissertation

  • Offered for Year: 2023/24
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Ruth Machen
  • Owning School: Architecture, Planning & Landscape
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Semester 3 Credit Value: 60
ECTS Credits: 30.0

Aims

- To develop and demonstrate the student's skills as a researcher.
- To engage in debate at the forefront of appropriate topic, whilst relating the topic to its wider social, economic, environmental and political context.

The dissertation module spans the second semester and the summer months, once the taught element of the programme is completed. The dissertation is the written report of a major individual research project. This is supported in Semester 1 by TCP8911 Research Design, by individual dissertation tutorial support throughout the year, and by additional group workshops during semester 2 and across the summer.

The dissertation should be on a subject relevant to planning, related to the pathway the student is on. It must be a fully referenced, well written and structured document, based on empirical desk and or field research of a high standard. The final dissertation should be 15,000 words. Further guidance can be found in the Dissertation Handbook.

Outline Of Syllabus

N/A

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion1298:00298:00N/A
Guided Independent StudyDirected research and reading1296:00296:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesDrop-in/surgery31:003:00Group session check in with Module leader
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesDissertation/project related supervision60:303:00N/A
Total600:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Self-directed research, on topic of own choice, allows the student to refine research skills learned in TCP8911. The work is supported by up to 6 tutorial sessions with an individual tutor assigned to the students; as well as up to 3 sessions with the module lead that provide students the opportunity to raise any issues experienced and to share-best practice.

Assessment Methods

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

Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Dissertation3A10015,000 words
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

This allows students to express all required elements of research process, engagement with literature, methodology and rigour and ultimate findings and analysis in relation to one focused study to a postgraduate level. It allows demonstration of the ability to design and undertake research to the rigorously high standards of robustness required within the UK.

Although students begin their dissertation in semester 2 and complete over the summer, they are introduced to the required work and begin training for it in week 1 semester 1.

Reading Lists

Timetable