Dissertation Project

Code:

MCF13_5

Acronym:

MCF13_5

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Forensic Sciences

Instance: 2017/2018 - SP (of 11-09-2017 to 31-07-2018)

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Public Health and Forensic Sciences, and Medical Education Department
Course/CS Responsible:	Forensic Sciences

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MCF	26	Current Studies Plan	1	-	12	81	324

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

This curricular unit aims to introduce from the theoretical point of view, basic knowledge necessary to develop a dissertation project. Tutorial follow-up defined to each student will be developed to assure that the project to be submitted is original, feasible, based on a proper design an methodology, with scientific interest in the forensic area as well as publishable.

Learning outcomes and competences

Students will develop skills to: (a) define research problems and operational issues, (b) know the “state of the art” on the topic to investigate, (c) detect implicit ethical dilemmas in a research project and deal with them in accordance with national and international regulations, and eventually questioning the ethics committee, and (e) apply a methodological reasoning with proper interpretation of the operational and epistemological limitations; (g) dominate the structure of a scientific text.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

 Not applicable

Program

Aulas teóricas:

1. Como eleger um tema de dissertação
2. Como elaborar um projeto de dissertação
3. Como fazer uma pesquisa bibliográfica.
4. Como redigir um artigo científico
5. Como apresentar corretamente as referências bibliográficas. O programa EndNote
6. Como selecionar revistas para submissão de artigos

Aulas tutoriais:

Acompanhamento tutorial de cada projeto de dissertação.

Mandatory literature

The Inherent Drawbacks of the Pressure to Publish in Health Sciences: Good or Bad Science; Dinis-Oliveria, RJ, & Magalhães, T, F1000 Research. Vol. 4, 2015
The dissertation journey: A practical and comprehensive guide to planning, writing, and defending your dissertation; Roberts CM, 2nd edition, Roberts CM, London, 2010
Joyner RL, Rouse WA, Glatthorn AA; Writing the winning thesis or dissertation: A step-by-step guide, Corwin, 3rd edition, 2012

Teaching methods and learning activities

Throughout the theoretical approach, it is provided general and fundamental knowledge in order to assure a proper execution of the project. On the other hand, through the tutorials, the student obtains support to the development of his specific project. These two levels of support shall guarantee that the final project is robust and assures the fulfillment of the goals previously highlighted. Particularly it should be taking into account the feasibility of the project and it is advisable to publish an original article (full length paper) related to the topic of the dissertation, in indexed international journal with peer review and impact factor, the student being the first author.
Given the individualized character of the work and the teaching methodology proposed, the teachers will essentially apply theoretical and tutorial classes, indebting all the necessary efforts for its full implementation. A lecture method in conjunction with the interrogative method will be applied at an early stage in order to promote the transmission of general knowledge for the proper preparation of the final dissertation project.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	90,00
Participação presencial	10,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	30,00
Elaboração de relatório/dissertação/tese	60,00
Frequência das aulas	10,00
Total:	100,00

Eligibility for exams

Frequency of more than 1/3 of the planned contact classes.

Calculation formula of final grade

Evaluation: (a) continuous (10%) - assesses the student’s ability to solve the various problems that arise during the project preparation; (b) final (90%) - evaluates the developed dissertation project (60%) and the respective public presentation (30%). Approval is conditional to a positive result in both components of the final evaluation.