CAPSTONE PROJECT - 2019/0

Module Overview

The Capstone Project is designed to enable students to develop an advanced ability to select, define, research, analyse, develop solutions and reach evidence-based conclusions to an issue relevant to their programme of study by undertaking an independent research project.

The module is available as an alternative to the Capstone Project with Placement module. It is conceived as the final project, integrating the learning from the entire programme and offering an opportunity to apply it to a relevant area of study by conducting an original piece of research under academic supervision.

The module supports two simultaneous and interrelated learning trajectories - professional development and academic research. Both these trajectories unfold throughout the duration of the programme: professional development is supported by dedicated skills workshops and participation in career events and fairs; research is supported by a series of lectures and seminars on research methods and individual supervisory sessions (face-to-face and online).

At the end of the Capstone Project module, students will have developed advanced professional and research skills relevant to their programme of study. They will have developed the ability to secure appropriate employment in an area relevant to their programme of study, gained practical experience of engaging with employers, and completed a substantial research project focused on their own academic and professional interests.

Module provider

Surrey Business School

Module Leader

ZDUNCZYK Katarzyna (SBS)

Number of Credits: 60

ECTS Credits: 30

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Year long

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

N/A

Module content

Indicative content includes: The Capstone Project module includes taught sessions and active learning (experiential and online) on professional development, interpersonal skills, and research methods as well as an independent integrative research project. Thus the module develops two interrelated sets of learning outcomes: professional development and the integration of learning from the programme through an independent research project.

Under the guidance of an academic supervisors, students undertake a research projects focused on an issue of their choice, relevant to their programme of study. They define and investigate the issue to propose evidence-based conclusions and recommendations. They present the results of their work in the Capstone Project Report and reflect on their professional development in the Professional Development Review document.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate:

• Evidence of advanced subject-specific knowledge in the chosen area of study;


• Ability to carry out a major applied research project in an area relevant to the programme of study;


• Ability to report findings of research in writing clearly and effectively;


• Ability to arrive at sound conclusions and recommendations based on original research;

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

• 8,000-word Capstone Project Report, including a 1,500-word executive summary;


• 3,000-word Research Proposal

Formative assessment

Formative assessment will be conducted on a systematic basis throughout the module.

Feedback

Feedback on the Research Proposal and the Capstone Project Report will be provided in written and verbal format by the Supervisor.

Module aims

• To enable students to develop a major piece of original independent research under the supervision of a member of faculty.
• To guide students in applying the knowledge from their MSc programme to research in their chosen area of study.
• To provide students with the experience of designing and conducting a substantial independent project.
• To enable students to gain experience of conducting research to develop effective, evidence-based conclusions and recommendations.
• To demonstrate an awareness of any ethical dilemmas that arise at the course of conducting research in the area of business and management.
• To allow students to specialise their learning in an area that is relevant and interesting to them.
• To support students to develop and apply new skills appropriate to the professional career of their choice.
• To enable students to develop advanced employability skills relevant to appropriate, graduate-level job roles in areas relevant to their programme of study.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to ensuring that students achieve the learning outcomes for the module; these relate to (1) personal and professional development, (2) academic development of the student taking the Capstone Project module.

The academic supervisor advises on the research project via regular supervisory sessions. If students work on their research projects at remote locations, both forms of support are provided via phone, email or teleconference.

In addition, the module includes taught sessions dedicated to research methods and the development of personal and professional skills. These sessions are scheduled throughout the year and prepare students for the independent research phase of the module.

The learning and teaching methods include:

• Self-directed learning pertains to engaging with learning materials and undertaking desk-research required for classroom participation and assessment.


• Independent research: students learn through applying the knowledge and skills from the programme to their research project in an integrative and original manner;


• Skills workshops: are organised throughout the year to develop studnets’ professional, career and interpersonal skills (Semester 1) and their ability to design and conduct an applied research project (Semester 2);


• Lectures are mainly designed to explain theoretical concepts and models, these focus primarily on research methods and are scheduled in Semester 2.


• Seminars/group discussions are designed to develop a more practical insight into the applied nature of the various topics covered with particular focus on research methods;


• Active learning through online study (synchronous and asynchronous);


• Active learning includes engaging in classroom practical exercises, video and case analyses, and participation in career events and fairs;


• Individual Supervisory Sessions support students in their project work through systematic review of progress, discussion and formative feedback from an academic tutor. These may be run face-to-face or online (synchronously).

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: MANM447

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2019/0 academic year.