Form C4
Heriot-Watt University - Course Descriptor
1. Course
Code
C10HE
2. Course
Title
Dissertation 2
3. SCQF
Level
5. School
Management and Languages
7. Delivery:
Location &
Semester
Edin
SBC
Orkney
Dubai
IDL
Collaborative Partner
Approved Learning Partner
Sem…2
Sem…….
Sem………..
Sem..2…..
Sem….
Name…………………….....Sem..…...
Name …………………………………Sem………..
6. Course
coordinator
10
4. Credits
15
Dr James Richards
8. Pre-requisites
Business Research Methods C19RH
9. Linked Courses
(specify if synoptic)
C10HD (Dissertation 1)
10. Excluded Courses
Legal Project 1 C10LE Business Project 1 C10BS1 Accounting Dissertation 1 C30DX Economics Dissertation 1 C20DA
Legal Project 1 C10LF Business Project 2 C10BT2 Accounting Dissertation 2 C30DY Economics Dissertation 2 C20DB
11. Replacement Courses
Code:
12. Degrees for which
this is a core course
Date Of Replacement:
13. The course may be
delivered to:
UG only
PG only
UG & PG
14. Available as an Elective?
Yes
No
15. Aims
To provide an opportunity for the undergraduate student to study, in depth, a topic of particular interest in the field of management, and to write a dissertation that is original
work. It is to extend the student's knowledge considerably in their chosen topic, and to develop skills (e.g. discursive and analytical) required for original and creative
thinking in management. It also to provide a skill set that will pave the way for the student to pursue research as a career or through post-graduate studies.
16. Syllabus
This is a non-taught course. The syllabus will cover a range of issues concerning the course topic, and an indicative syllabus is as follows:






Identify an appropriate area of research
Undertake an appropriate and focused literature review of the relevant literature
Explain and justify an appropriate methodological approach to a management problem
Introduce theoretical and empirical evidence, arguments and/or evidence of original contribution
Undertake a critical analysis of literature, evidence, and theoretical argument
Reach conclusions by showing the initial research plan has been addressed
1/2
Form C4

Heriot-Watt University - Course Descriptor
Conform to the style, use of figures, presentation, structure, and language that is appropriate for the chosen topic
17. Learning Outcomes (HWU Core Skills: Employability and Professional Career Readiness)
Subject Mastery
Personal Abilities
Understanding, Knowledge and Cognitive Skills
Scholarship, Enquiry and Research (Research-Informed Learning)
On completion of the dissertation the student will be able
to:
 Recognise a potential area for research in the
discipline of management
 Engage critically with a range of complex critical
literature
 Contribute in an informed way to the debates about
their chosen topic
On completion of the dissertation the student will be able to:
 Independently design a programme of research
 Use a range of library-based (conventional and ICT) resources to source appropriate
literature on their chosen topic
 Collect, sift and organise substantial bodies of knowledge, and evaluate their
significance
 Plan and write a substantial piece of work using academic apparatus and
appropriately acknowledging the work of others
 Construct and present sophisticated, coherent and persuasive written arguments
Industrial, Commercial & Professional Practice
Autonomy, Accountability & Working with Others
Communication, Numeracy & ICT



Design and carry out a substantial piece of
independent research, and to communicate
original ideas in an effective and recognised
manner
 Develop an appreciation of investigative work
required in the operation of most employer
organizations
18. Assessment Methods
Method
Duration of Exam

Weighting (%)
Contact, work with, and develop relationships with
key organizational informants
Use feedback from a mentor to improve personal
performance
Use ICT to source literature on
specific topics that relate to the
discipline of management
19. Re-assessment Methods
Synoptic courses?
Method
(if applicable)
Coursework
Duration of Exam
Diet(s)
(if applicable)
100
C10HD1
20. Date and Version
Date of Proposal
February 2013
Date of Approval by
School Committee
Date of
Implementation
September 2013
Version
Number
2/2
1.1