NBS8300 : Dissertation in Operations, Logistics and Supply Chain Management
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr Jiayao Hu
- Owning School: Newcastle University Business School
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 3 Credit Value: | 60 |
| ECTS Credits: | 30.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
Students will research and prepare an individual dissertation on an approved subject relevant to the MSc in Operations, Logistics and Supply Chain Management. The dissertation will emphasise leading-edge thinking in the theory and practice of the subject, through critical awareness of current published research and research methods.
The aims of this module are to
1. develop the ability to undertake independent research in the area of operations management, and to
2. carry out independent research of a qualitative and/or quantitative nature.
Outline Of Syllabus
The modules on MSc Operations, Logistics and Supply Chain Management form the basis for the knowledge and skills that students need to display. Thus, this module should be seen as an additional support mechanism and not an exhaustive taught module. This module also supports students to conduct project-based dissertations. Supervision meetings will be organised around the generic issues for conducting research such as:
• designing research, preparation phase, and research methods;
• development of a specialised area of knowledge through critical and analytical study of relevant literature, research and theory linked to independent enquiry;
• the procedures undertaken and how they can be justified, and
• how to write a critical and analytical research dissertation to own field of enquiry.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 595:00 | 595:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Dissertation/project related supervision | 5 | 1:00 | 5:00 | PiP |
| Total | 600:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Teaching methods will be through a combination of:
• face to face discussions, and
• group tutorials and supervision
A dissertation supervisor will be appointed. The supervisor can be used to check work in progress. Supervisors will advise students on their progress and direction of their dissertation project, indicating any flaws that may cause concern. With regards to student’s responsibility please refer to section 4 in the PG Dissertation Guidelines for details. On successful completion of the supervision process, students should be able to meet the intended learning outcomes.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dissertation | 3 | M | 100 | 12,000 word dissertation to be marked by dissertation supervisor and 2nd internal |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Presentation | 3 | M | Students have supervisory meetings to discuss their work |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
Students will produce an initial proposal (assignment one in NBS8372). This will help students decide on a topic and gain feedback on its feasibility and guidance for the literature review.
The dissertation proposal (assignment two in NBS8372) will induce students to map out their dissertation, showing evidence of understanding the relevant literature and an ability to deliver a feasible dissertation in the timescale available that meets stated research objectives.
The final dissertation (due in earlier September) allows the student to demonstrate his/ her ability to undertake independent research in a particular field of operations and supply chain management.
The dissertation will be assessed on the academic content of
1. abstract, rationale, research question/ hypothesis, aim and objectives;
2. literature review;
3. research methods;
4. data collection, findings and analysis;
5. discussion and conclusions
6. structure and presentation (format, writing style, referencing)
Students will have 5 x 1 hour group meetings with their supervisor.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- NBS8300's Timetable