The research project consists of a dissertation of 7000-10000 words; It is an independent piece of work in which the student selects a relevant topic related to Oral Sciences and carries out a laboratory-based, data-based or literature-based investigation.

Regular meetings (ca.`weekly) with supervisors.

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The research project consists of a dissertation of 7000-10000 words - an independent piece of work in which the student selects a relevant topic of interest and carries out a laboratory-based or dry-based investigation (all ILOs). An oral presentation of the project is made at the end of the work in the form of a poster (ILO4). Students are required to engage in regular meetings with dissertation supervisors (ILO1)

Assessment - Dissertation of 7000-10000 words (70%), oral presentation (20%) and engagement/participation in scientific discussions with supervisors assessed in the form of a portfolio (10%)

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

The portfolio is not re-assessable due to the nature of the summative assessment.

The masters-level dental research project or dissertation aims to provide students with the opportunity to engage in detail with one topic relevant to oral sciences, to carry out original research into that topic or issue, and to present an extended, written argument. It requires them to draw on their knowledge of key concepts and theories gained from other parts of the oral sciences programme, together with their knowledge of research methods and analytical techniques, in order to present a coherent, masters-level dissertation or project.

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

■ Plan and execute a substantial piece of original research project with the support of a dissertation supervisor whilst engaging in bi-monthly meetings and scientific discussions providing regular updates, insights and challenges associated with the project.

■ Formulate specific research questions and critically evaluate relevant literature relating to a specific topic or issue.

■ Design appropriate research methods to gather data, and to analyse that data using relevant techniques.

■ Communicate a complex, extended argument effectively in writing and verbally using appropriate academic conventions.

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