Summer Project

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Ensure that your own ideas and analysis are a prominent part of your dissertation.
• Demonstrate the ability to formulate and test new ideas from a variety of approaches and justify the foundation of those ideas;
• Evaluate critically current research and advanced scholarship in the discipline
• Evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them and, where appropriate, to propose new hypotheses.
• Present a clear, logical, and coherent line of argument throughout your dissertation.
• Provide in depth, critical reflection in your analysis and discussion of results.
• Demonstrate the ability to test ideas including the application of models as appropriate, using a variety of research designs, methodologies, measurements and techniques of analysis;
• Demonstrate the ability to present ideas and research findings in a well-structured and convincing way, as oral presentations or written papers;
• Demonstrate the ability to plan, execute and report a significant piece of research or creative work with at least some element of originality;
• Demonstrate the ability to synthesise ideas and research findings;

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Identify, set up and use a variety of learning strategies such as interactive and group work
• Demonstrate independent judgement and critical self-awareness;
• Demonstrate the ability to interpret, conceptualise and critically evaluate the literature, and to relate it to practice as appropriate;
• Demonstrate your ability to work independently, carry out and evaluate an applied project relevant to a business context.

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• Scoping a study in your subject area, stating clear objectives for your study and ensure that the dissertation addresses these objectives.
• Demonstrating in-depth knowledge of your chosen subject and related conceptual literature, making appropriate reference to relevant sources of literature.
• Using concepts/techniques/frameworks from one or more of your taught modules.

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Demonstrate critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights, at, or informed by, the forefront of your academic discipline or field of study

Details of selection process, supervision processes, deadlines and handing-in processes will be clarified in the Summer Project Handbook in February. Interviews and selection by companies will be conducted in May. A supervisor will be appointed immediately after selections have been communicated; you are entitled to 6 hours of supervision which you must organise and complete by the time agreed with the company. The dissertation must be handed in mid-September. In brief the process is described below; during the period May – September you will be required to:

• Discuss with the company and your supervisor what is a suitable solution strategy for their problem;
• Design and undertake an appropriate methodology for this problem;
• Complete the ERGO application and gain approval;
• Identify and access useful sources of information;
• Plan and manage an appropriate schedule of work;
• Liaise with your supervisor and the company;
• Write a well-presented dissertation.

Subject to the completion of the University’s Risk and Ethics procedures, students may carry out fieldwork in overseas contexts and/or in the partner company.

The summer project is a competitive process. Acceptance is not guaranteed and will depend on:

• Number of available projects.
• Academic performance in CORMSIS modules and in general.
• English Skills as measured by IELTS acceptance by the companies.
• Academic Integrity (no warnings nor other negative measures must have occurred).
• Acceptance from the companies.

Teaching and learning methods

• Supervision (as detailed in Dissertation Handbook)
• Talks by CORMSIS preparing you for interviews, supporting CV development, and showcasing past projects.
• Your Programme Leader/Supervisor may recommend attendance at other seminars or tutorials to aid the development of your topic

Resources & Reading list

General Resources

Available resources. The resources offered to all students for supporting their dissertation include the supervision given by lecturers/professors, databases such as Datastream, Bloomberg, Fame, Bank Scope; software such as Eviews, Stata, SPSS, SAS, Matlab, Excel, Endnotes and journal articles and books.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.