Programme Specification for the 2018/9 academic year
MRes Science and Technology Studies
1. Programme Details
| Programme name | MRes Science and Technology Studies | Programme code | PTR1HPSHPS12 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study mode(s) | Full Time Part Time |
Academic year | 2018/9 |
| Campus(es) | Streatham (Exeter) |
Programme start date | 09/2014 |
| NQF Level | 7 (Masters) |
2. Description of the Programme
The programme will give you a broad-based knowledge of the use of research methods in the social sciences, as well as core research training in social scientific philosophy and methodology within a contemporary sociology context. It will develop your understanding of the origins, history and development of Science and Technology Studies as a discipline and its theoretical underpinnings. It will equip you with the skills to go on to doctoral research or to pursue a career as a professional researcher.
3. Educational Aims of the Programme
1. To enable students to develop a broad based and relevant knowledge of and competence in the use of research methods in the social sciences.
2. To provide students with a range of transferable skills appropriate to Master's level research within the discipline.
3. To equip students for careers as professional researchers in either academic or non-academic environments.
4. To set the core training in social scientific philosophy and methodology within a contemporary sociology context, thereby allowing students to apply the wider concepts and skills introduced in the broader social scientific setting to specific topics of STS inquiry.
5. To offer students a specialised training in social science and STS research methods as a direct means of enhancing their employment skills.
4. Programme Structure
This research training Master's programme is studied over 12 months (full time) or 24 months (part time) and is university-based throughout that period. The programme comprises 180 credits in total: taught modules worth 120 credits and a supervised dissertation worth 60 credits. Teaching takes place over two terms (October to May), followed by completion of the dissertation over the summer (June to September). The syllabus consists of five compulsory research training modules that provide generic and specific research training, one specialist option, and a dissertation module.
5. Programme Modules
The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual programme review of this programme.
Stage 1
Details of all modules offered by the College are at: http://socialsciences.exeter.ac.uk/sociology/postgraduate/modules/
Details of the generic social science research methods modules offered by the Department of Geography are at:
http://geography.exeter.ac.uk/currentstudents/postgraduate/modules/streathamcampus/
Compulsory Modules
Compulsory Research Training Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| SOCM020 | Research Methods in the Social Sciences | 30 | No |
| SOCM002A | Philosophy of the Social Sciences 1 | 15 | No |
| POLM809 | Applied Quantitative Data Analysis | 15 | No |
| SOCM950 | Science Technology and Society | 30 | No |
| SOCM904 | Dissertation | 60 | No |
Optional Modules
One from the following options, chosen with the guidance of the programme director:
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| SOCM016 | Cultures of the Life Sciences | 30 | No |
| SOCM007 | Knowledge and History: Theories of Scientific Change | 30 | No |
| SOCM945 | Philosophy of Science | 30 | No |
| Total Credits for Stage 1 | 180 |
|---|
6. Programme Outcomes Linked to Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
1. Integrate concepts and analyses in the field of sociology and its sub disciplines. | 1-4 are developed through seminar discussion and assignments on the generic and specific research training modules. 5 is developed through the seminar discussion, practical exercises and essay assignments on the Social Science Research Skills Module, the optional module, and the through the Philosophy of Social Science module. | Acquisition of these skills is assessed through essay assignments and the dissertation. |
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
6. Demonstrate comprehension of the relationships between theory and practice in the social sciences and STS. | 6-7 are developed primarily through seminar discussion and assignments on the Philosophy of the Social Sciences module. 8-12 are acquired through discussion and assignments on the Social Science data Analysis and Research Skills modules. 13 is a requirement of all modules. 14 is developed through the Research Skills module and in the dissertation. | Acquisition of these skills is assessed through essay assignments and the dissertation. |
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
15. Think independently at an advanced level. | 15 and 16 are requirements of all modules, and especially the dissertation. 17 and 18 are core requirements of all modules, and especially the dissertation. 19 is developed through seminar work on the taught modules. 20 is developed through the Research Skills module and is applied on the dissertation. | 15 and 16 are assessed in all modules by essay work, and by the dissertation. 17 and 18 are assessed on all modules through the essays that go to make up the portfolio on which the coursework is assessed, and in the dissertation. 19 is reflected in seminar work and presentations. 20 is assessed as part of the 3,000-word research plan produced for the Research Skills module, and in the dissertation. |
7. Programme Regulations
University Regulations on the number of credits to be taken and at what level for each stage of the programme can be found in the Credit and Qualifications Framework.
Progression
Condonement is the process that allows you to be awarded credit (and so progress to the next stage or, in the final stage, receive an award), despite failing to achieve a pass mark at a first attempt. You are not entitled to reassessment in condoned credit. Regulations on condonement can be found in the Handbook for Assessment, Progression and Awarding for Taught Programmes.
Assessment and Awards
For undergraduate degrees assessment at stage one does not contribute to the summative classification of the award. Details of the weightings for each year of all programme lengths can be found in the Handbook for Assessment, Progression and Awarding for Taught Programmes.
Classification
Full details of assessment regulations for undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes and the classification of awards can be found in the Handbook for Assessment, Progression and Awarding for Taught Programmes.
You can also read details of Generic Marking Criteria.
8. College Support for Students and Students' Learning
Personal and Academic Tutoring
It is University policy that all Colleges should have in place a system of academic and personal tutors. The role of academic tutors is to support you with individual modules; the role of personal tutors is to provide you with advice and support fo the duration of your programme, and this support extends to providing you with details of how to obtain support and guidance on personal difficulties such as accommodation, financial difficulties and sickness. You can also make an appointment to see individual teaching staff.
Information on the College Personal Tutoring system, library provision, ELE resources and access to College support services can be found on the College webpages for current students.
Student Staff Liaison Committee (SSLC)
SSLCs enable students and staff to jointly participate in the management and review of the teaching and learning provision.
9. University Support for Students and Students' Learning
Learning Resources
The University Library maintains its principal collections in the main library buildings on the Streatham and St Luke's campuses, together with a number of specialist collections in certain Colleges. The total Library collection comprises over a million volumes and 3000 current periodical subscriptions.
IT Services
A wide range of IT services are provided throughout the Exeter campuses, including open-access computer rooms, some of which are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Helpdesks are maintained on the Streatham and St Luke's campuses, while most study bedrooms in halls and flats are linked to the University's campus network.
Student Support Services
The University provides many support services including health and wellbeing, multifaith chaplaincy, family support, the Students' Guild and international student support.
10. Admissions Criteria
All applications are considered individually on merit. The University is committed to an equal opportunities policy with respect to gender, age, race, sexual orientation and/or disability when dealing with applications. It is also committed to widening access to higher education to students from a diverse range of backgrounds and experience.
Candidates for undergraduate programmes must satisfy the undergraduate admissions requirements of the University of Exeter.
11. Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards
Each academic programme in the University is subject to an agreed College assessment and marking strategy, underpinned by institution-wide assessment procedures.
The security of assessment and academic standards is further supported through the appointment of External Examiners for each programme. External Examiners have access to draft papers, course work and examination scripts. They are required to attend the Board of Examiners and to provide an annual report. Annual External Examiner reports are monitored at both College and University level. Their responsibilities are described in the University's code of practice. See the University's TQA Manual for details.
12. Indicators of Quality and Standards
Certain programmes are subject to accreditation and/or review by professional and statutory regulatory bodies (PSRBs).
13. Methods for Evaluating and Improving Quality and Standards
The University and its constituent Colleges draw on a range of data to review the quality of education provision. The College documents the performance in each of its tuaght programmes, against a range of criteria on an annual basis through the Annual Student Experience Review (ASER).
Subject areas are reviewed every five years through a College Academic Audit scheme that includes external contributions.
14. Awarding Institution
University of Exeter
15. Lead College / Teaching Institution
College of Social Sciences and International Studies (CSSIS)
16. Partner College / Institution
Partner College(s)
Not applicable to this programme
Partner Institution
Not applicable to this programme.
17. Programme Accredited / Validated by
0
18. Final Award
MRes Science and Technology Studies
19. UCAS Code
C789
20. NQF Level of Final Award
7 (Masters)
21. Credit
| CATS credits | 180 |
ECTS credits | 90 |
|---|
22. QAA Subject Benchmarking Group
23. Dates
| Origin Date | 01/10/2011 |
Date of last revision | 01/09/2011 |
|---|