| CODE | MMB5200 | ||||||
| TITLE | Dissertation | ||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | ||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 85 | ||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking | ||||||
| DESCRIPTION | The Master’s thesis will be undertaken through an empirical study in an area of inquiry related to molecular medicine that will be supervised in the main by a member and/or affiliate member of the Centre. It will involve a written submission of 40, 000 words that will include an introduction setting out the motivation for the study, followed by a literature review that frames the study in the context with our current understanding of the problem to be tackled, a detailed methodology to follow that consists of the operationalisation of concepts for empirical inquiry, results and a discussion of these in light of literature, as well as an overarching conclusion, an abstract and key words and full references. Study-unit Aims: This study-unit focusses on assisting students to apply their knowledge and laboratory skills of their theoretical understanding of molecular medicine to undertake an empirical study using the appropriate methodology and use of instrumentation according to prevalent disciplinary standards in the field. The study-unit aims at teaching students to apply their skills and competencies to formulate a research question based on the literature related to molecular medicine and to design an empirical study that addresses the research question. The study-unit further aims to teach students to evaluate their research in light of the university’s ethical standards and to guide students to obtain ethical clearance for their research. Finally, the study-unit aims to supervise the procedure of data gathering and data analysis to satisfy disciplinary standards in a way that addresses the research question articulated at the start and to develop theoretical and practical recommendations for the future. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Critically evaluate the literature related to molecular medicine by developing an articulated research question that is amenable to empirical inquiry; - Conceptualize phenomena and operationalise these concerns by translating theoretical questions into research questions; - Identify research strategies that answer the research questions; - Critically evaluate findings to address the identified gaps in the literature and to recommend a way forward. 2. Skills By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Design an empirical study that addresses a research question in all its complexity; - Formulate research questions in quantitative terms; - Operationalise phenomena as variables for empirical inquiry; - Conduct experiments under good laboratory practice; - Use specialised instrumentation; - Undertake research to gather data; - Analyse the data gathering in line with disciplinary requirements and according to disciplinary standards and procedures; - Draw correct and relevant conclusions from research findings; - Report research findings in such a way to provide an answer to research questions; - Articulate recommendations for research and advance relevant suggestions for future studies. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Selected readings on topic of research proposal. |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | **September Assessment Session: Students who fail to obtain an overall pass mark will be re-examined in the Dissertation. However, the resit availability for the Oral Examination is at the discretion of the Board of Examiners. | ||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Dissertation | ||||||
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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