Second year dissertations
This unit will allow your students to explore in depth an area of science which is of interest to them, and enable production of a comprehensive nine-page literature review.
Aims of the dissertation:
- Literature searching to research a specific scientific topic
- Interpretation and analysis of scientific literature
- Scientific writing to enable production of a comprehensive literature review
- Allow students to explore in depth a topic that is of interest to them
Guidelines for supervisors
Please download and read the full set of Dissertation Guidelines.
You can also access the marking scheme [UoM login required]. Please also see tips on how to provide good feedback.
Students are expected to produce a comprehensive nine-page literature review on a topic with supervision.
Below are some key dates for your attention:
| June - September 2018: | Supervisors to submit titles |
| 15 - 26 October 2018: | Students select their titles |
| 15 November 2018: | Allocation of titles published to students |
| 15 November - 14 December 2018: | 1st meeting with supervisor |
| 15 November 2018 - 21 March 2019: | Production of dissertation with supervisor’s help. Three meetings with student (face to face/ via e-mail) |
| 21 March 2019 (4pm): | Student deadline for uploading dissertation onto Blackboard |
Supervisor dissertation topics
Students will select eight of the available topics and most students will be allocated one of these preferred topics. Depending on popularity of topics and topic selection, a small percentage of students may not be allocated any one of their chosen eight topics. If your topics have not been selected by any student, you will still be allocated a student from any degree programme.