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ES928-90 MSc Project and Dissertation

Department
WMG
Level
Taught Postgraduate Level
Module leader
Jeffrey Jones
Credit value
90
Assessment
100% coursework
Study locations
  • University of Warwick main campus, Coventry Primary
  • Beijing City University, China
  • Chulalongkorn University, Thailand
  • Eastern Mediterranean University, North Cyprus
  • Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
  • Hong Kong Vocational Training Council, Hong Kong
  • Singapore Institute of Management, Singapore
  • Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia
  • Yıldız Teknik Üniversitesi, Turkey

Introductory description

The dissertation enables students to engage in an extended piece of independent research, answering a question of relevance to the programme of study.

Module aims

This MA1 form covers the following courses with the following specific requirements:
Cyber-security & management The project for MSc Cyber Security and Management must: address a research question directly relating to cyber security and demonstrate understanding of the particular issues around conducting research in the cyber domain and conduct research in the cyber domain in an appropriate manner. e- Business Management The project should normally be related to the management or technology-related issues in companies involved in eBusiness and eCommerce. Engineering Business Management The project should normally be related to the management of: · Companies in the engineering sector or · The engineering function in a non-engineering company or · The supply chain within the engineering sector. Innovation & Entrepreneurship The project should relate to the exploitation of a business opportunity in any sector. Technology/processes or business models should be considered as differentiators. It should involve the analysis of options, comparative evaluation and business model design. International Technology Management The project should relate to the management of technology or technical functions in an international context. International Technology Management for Defence & Security The project should relate to the management of technology or technical functions in an international context, and be explicitly relevant to organisations involved in the defence & security sector. International Trade Strategy & Operations The project should relate to one or more of the following aspect(s) of trading in an international context · International sales and marketing · Transport, logistics, supply chain and customs compliance · Financial management · Legal aspects of international trade · Business management and trade strategy · Operations and service management
Manufacturing Systems Engineering and Management The project should relate to product or process technology, operations or management within a manufacturing context Management for Business Excellence The project should relate to the development of excellence within organizations, industries or sectors or the development of an individual’s capability that would support progress towards organizational excellence Programme & Project Management A suitable project should clearly and substantially relate to, or be applicable to, the management of projects or programmes. Topics can include project or programme methods, methodologies, tools, processes, human factors, multi-project scenarios, collaborative projects, in-company applications, or new product or service introduction. The application or research can be in any industry, including but not restricted to, engineering, service industry or IT Service Management and Design The project should normally be related to at least one of the following: · Management of any aspect of the service provision by a company (from any sector) · Management of the technology to support service provision · Management of the economic environment in which a service is delivered. Supply Chain and Logistics Management The project should relate to a logistics related topic. Sustainable Automotive Engineering The project must be based on an aspect of sustainable automotive engineering, and be aligned with either an industry supporting body or a current research topic. Projects should be of a technical nature, or relate to strategic direction of sustainable automotive technologies

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

  • The nature of research
  • Research methods
  • Ethical considerations in research
  • Risk management of projects
  • Planning, managing and monitoring a research project
  • Structuring and writing a Masters dissertation

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

  • Formulate a research question, consistent with the time and resource available to conduct the research.
  • Critically evaluate the body of research, synthesising ideas into a referenced literature review.
  • Select and apply appropriate research methods to suit the requirements of the defined research question.
  • Devise and perform an ethically responsible investigation, informed by the findings of previous researchers and efficiently utilising available resource.
  • Present findings in the dissertation with clarity, appropriately evaluating the confidence that should be placed in any findings and demonstrating the benefit of the work undertaken

Indicative reading list

Bottomley, J., Academic Writing for International Students of Science; Routledge, 2014 ISBN-13:
978-0415832410
Biggam, J., Succeeding with your Master’s Dissertation: A Step-by-Step Guide, Open University
Press, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom, 2015, 3rd Edition, ISBN13 9780335264483.
Cottrell, S., Critical Thinking Skills: Developing Effective Analysis & Argument, Palgrave, 2011, 2nd
Edition, ISBN-13: 978-0230285293
Dawson, C; Introduction to Research Methods; HowTo Books, 2009 (ISBN: 8601200757002)
Hamp-Lyons, L. and Heasley, B. Study Writing. Cambridge University Press, 2006 (ISBN:
9780521534963)
Pears, R. & G. Shields, Cite Them Right, The Essential Referencing Guide, Palgrave, 10th Edition,
2016 (ISBN: 9780230272316) Wallace, M. and A Wray; Critical Reading and Writing for Postgraduates; Sage, 2011 (ISBN: 9781412961820)

Research element

Research methodology module plus individual supervision throughout the project and dissertation writing process.

Subject specific skills

These skills will depend on the nature of the project and the course undertaken

Transferable skills

Researching academic literature;
Critical analysis of sources;
Report writing;
Project planning and execution;
Meeting skills.;
Data analysis skills

Study time

Type Required
Project supervision 30 sessions of 1 hour (100%)
Total 30 hours

Private study description

Independent student activity of approximately 900 hours

Costs

No further costs have been identified for this module.

You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.

Assessment group A2
Weighting Study time Eligible for self-certification
Assessment component
Dissertation 100% No

A 20,000-word dissertation; a viva may be required in addition to this for certain situations (pass/fail only)

Reassessment component is the same
Feedback on assessment

Written and verbal feedback provided, following the viva.

Anti-requisite modules

If you take this module, you cannot also take:

  • ES9U9-60 MSc Project
  • WM009-60 Company Based Project
  • WM972-30 MSc Project and Dissertation - Context & Method

Courses

This module is Core for:

  • Year 1 of TWMS-H7BG Postgraduate Supply Chain and Logistics Management (awarded jointly with Hong Kong Polytechnic University)
  • Year 1 of TWMS-H1A4 Postgraduate Sustainable Materials and Manufacturing
  • Year 1 of TESS-H6C3 Postgraduate Taught Cyber Security and Management
  • Year 1 of TESS-H6C6 Postgraduate Taught Cyber Security and Management
  • Year 1 of TESA-H1P7 Postgraduate Taught Engineering Business Management
  • Year 1 of TESS-H1P1 Postgraduate Taught Engineering Business Management
  • Year 1 of TESS-H6C4 Postgraduate Taught International Technology Management (Hong Kong)
  • Year 1 of TESA-H7Q0 Postgraduate Taught Manufacturing Systems Engineering & Management
  • Year 1 of TESS-H7Q1 Postgraduate Taught Manufacturing Systems Engineering & Management
  • Year 1 of TESS-H7Q5 Postgraduate Taught Manufacturing Systems Engineering & Management (HKPU)
  • Year 1 of TESS-H1ZW Postgraduate Taught Programme and Project Management
  • Year 1 of TESS-H7PT Postgraduate Taught Programme and Project Management (Hong Kong)
  • Year 1 of TWMS-H7A1 Postgraduate Taught Supply Chain and Logistics Management (Singapore)
  • Year 1 of TESA-H7PK Postgraduate Taught e-Business Management
  • Year 1 of TESS-H7PL Postgraduate Taught e-Business Management

This module is Option list D for:

  • Year 1 of TESA-H1P7 Postgraduate Taught Engineering Business Management
  • Year 1 of TESS-H1PU Postgraduate Taught International Technology Management

This module is Option list E for:

  • Year 1 of TESA-H7PD Postgraduate Taught Supply Chain and Logistics Management (Home Fees)