MSc Computing distance learning - Staffordshire University

and pass this module at the next available opportunity. Failure of a module will
usually delay their progression on the award.
6 Dissertation information
What about dissertation approval and management?
Initial Dissertation proposals are completed within the Personal Development and Research
Methods module with the help of the module team. The module leader will review each
proposal for approval. If the proposal is considered weak, resource hungry or in general
inappropriate, the student will be required to improve it before starting the dissertation.
Proposals from students should:
• identify the area of study;
• show how the area of study relates to the award;
• include a project development plan, project milestones and development schedule;
• identify appropriate research areas and development methods;
• discuss relevant ethical issues related to the project
• identify the resources necessary for the successful completion of the dissertation;
and provide evidence that the student will have adequate access to these resources;
• describe the anticipated results and the products.
On completion of the Personal Development and Research Methods module the
Dissertation Manager will allocate a supervisor to the student on the basis of staff expertise
in relation to the student’s dissertation topic. The supervisor’s specific role is to guide
students academically, advise on literature to review, monitor progress, provide regular
feedback on work, and guide on ethical issues associated with the dissertation. “…it is
expected that student and supervisor will be in weekly contact over the 24 week completion
of the dissertation. This will typically involve the student emailing their weekly progress to
the tutor three days in advance of a half hour supervision meeting that can be held face-toface
(Skype), on the telephone, or email.” (Dissertation module specification, June 2009).
Questions about the Dissertation stage can be address to the Award Manager, Jonathan
Westlake.
A full dissertation handbook will be provided prior to starting the dissertation period.
Students will be assessed in relation to how well the work set out in the proposal is
completed. A supervisor and second assessor will share assessment of the dissertation and
its associated viva voce.
What if a student is referred in the dissertation?
They will be given the opportunity to re-submit on one subsequent occasion and to a timescale
determined by the Award board at the time of initial failure, normally within the
period of two calendar years from the date of the board, either in a revised form or based
upon a new title. Any new title must be approved by the Faculty. A second failure will
result in the student failing the Masters stage of the award.
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