Dissertation: Urban Studies URBAN5080P

  • Academic Session: 2024-25
  • School: School of Social and Political Sciences
  • Credits: 60
  • Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
  • Typically Offered: Full Year
  • Available to Visiting Students: No
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No

Short Description

Master's degrees in Urban Studies require students to complete a dissertation of between 13,750 words as the culmination of their degree. Dissertation preparation is supported by a course in 'Research Methods' with a supervisor allocated to each student at the start of Semester 2.

Timetable

Most of the work for the dissertation will be carried out by the student in their own time. A supervisor will be appointed as the main point of contact for each student during the dissertation period. 

Requirements of Entry

Mandatory Entry Requirements:

None

Excluded Courses

None

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment is based solely on a dissertation of 13,750 words (maximum).

Course Aims

To help students develop effective research skills (evident, for example, in data sourcing, collection, investigation, quantitative and/or qualitative analysis, weighing evidence and reaching sound conclusions) through understanding appropriate research methods and undertaking a substantial research exercise on an approved topic, including some original content.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Explain the nature and purpose of research in real estate and planning.

■ Recognise the significance of different traditions of thought in philosophy, science and social science.

■ Define research problems and issues and refine them into research aims, objectives, questions and/or hypotheses.

■ Search for and review critically research literature and other secondary data sources.

■ Select and apply appropriate methodological approaches for particular research topics.

■ Plan and manage a research or action project by collecting information from a variety of sources, synthesising it effectively and presenting it succinctly

■ Sustain a clear and succinct argument in presenting research findings in a substantive written form.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.