Dissertation Project
Keywords |
Classification |
Keyword |
OFICIAL |
Forensic Sciences |
Instance: 2019/2020 - SP (of 09-09-2019 to 31-07-2020)
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:
- Como eleger um tema de dissertação
- Como elaborar um projeto de dissertação
- Como fazer uma pesquisa bibliográfica.
- Como redigir um artigo científico
- Como apresentar corretamente as referências bibliográficas. O programa EndNote
- 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 |
70,00 |
Trabalho escrito |
30,00 |
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 |
70,00 |
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 (30%) - assesses the student’s ability to solve the various problems that arise during the project preparation and to present a poster communication in a congress; (b) final (70%) - evaluates the developed dissertation project. Approval is conditional to a positive result in both components of the final evaluation.