CAPSTONE PROJECT WITH PLACEMENT - 2020/1

Module Overview

The Capstone Project with Placement 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 through applied research in a real business context.

The module is available as an alternative to the Capstone Project (without placement) module. It is conceived as the final project, integrating the learning from the entire programme and offering an opportunity to apply it in a relevant organisational context under the supervision of both an academic and a professional supervisor.

The module supports two simultaneous and interrelated learning trajectories unfold throughout the duration of the programme, including a period of work experience in an area relevant to the programme of study, i.e. a student work placement.

At the end of the Capstone Project with Placement module, students will have developed advanced professional and research skills relevant to their programme of study. They will have demonstrated the ability to secure appropriate employment in an area relevant to their programme of study, gained practical work experience in a specific job role, and completed a substantial project of relevance to the placement organisation and their own academic and professional career.

Module provider

Surrey Business School

Module Leader

LANHAM-NEW William (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

To have secured a work placement approved by the University of Surrey

Module content

Indicative content includes: The Capstone Project with Placement module includes a supervised placement experience and an independent applied research project that are focused on two interrelated sets of learning outcomes: professional development and the integration of learning from the programme through applied research in the placement organisation. Both aspects of the learning experience are supervised by an academic supervisor as well as a professional supervisor in the workplace. Under their guidance, students undertake a research project focused on an issue identified within the placement organisation and relevant to their programme of study as well as their placement work responsibilities.

With the support of both supervisors, students define and investigate the issue to propose evidence -based solutions and recommendations to the placement organisation. They present the results of their work in a Placement Report and reflect on their professional development in a 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;


• Evidence of ability to work as an independent, critical and competent evidence-based practitioner;


• Ability to carry out primary applied research;


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


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


• Ability to critically reflect on their professional experience and plan their professional development and career.

Thus the summative assessment for this module consists of:

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


• A comprehensive Professional Development Portfolio documenting the students personal and professional development and career management skills throughout the duration of the programme.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment includes a 1,000-word placement project proposal and a the individual submissions of all the elements of the Professional Development Portfolio.

Feedback

Feedback will be provided in written and verbal format throughout the duration of the module.

Module aims

• To enable students to develop a major piece of original independent work under the supervision of a member of faculty.
• To guide students in applying the knowledge from their MSc programme to research in a specific organisational setting.
• To provide students with experience of conceptualising practical issues occurring in organisations in research terms, designing research studies, and conducting primary research to develop effective, evidence-based solutions and recommendations.
• To demonstrate an awareness of any ethical dilemmas that arise at the intersection of research and professional practice.
• To allow students to specialise their learning in an area that is relevant and interest to them.
• To support students to develop and apply new skills appropriate to the professional setting in which they are working.
• 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:

The learning and teaching methods are predicated on experiential learning through the placement experience itself.

The mentoring, coaching and assessment role of both the workplace supervisor and the academic supervisor are focused on ensuring the students achieve the learning outcomes for the modules; these relate to (1) personal and professional development, (2) academic development of the student taking the Capstone Project with Placement module.

The academic supervisor advises on the research project via regular supervisory sessions and facilitates critical self-reflection by offering regular mentoring sessions. If students work on placements at remote locations, both forms of support are provided via phone, email or teleconference.

The evaluation of students' performance by their respective placement provider is another key aspect of the experiential learning process for the placement student.

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 applied research phase during the work placement.

The learning and teach 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;


• Immersion in practice: students learn in an experiential manner by working on a real project in their placement organisation.


• Skills workshops: are organised throughout the year to develop students' 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 develop a more practical insight into the applied nature of the various topics covered with particular focus on research and methods;


• Seminar/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 and 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: MANM454

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 2020/1 academic year.