MTHM053 - MSc Professional Placement (2023)

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MODULE TITLEMSc Professional Placement CREDIT VALUE60
MODULE CODEMTHM053 MODULE CONVENERProf Mark P. Baldwin (Coordinator)
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 11 11 11
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) 20
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

This module will provide you with extensive practical work experience in a work environment that is of direct relevance to your development as an experienced professional.

You will get the chance to apply the knowledge and skills you have acquired from taught modules to authentic problem solving in the workplace. Collaborating with your work placement employer, you will identify a suitable project related to your degree that will constitute your MSc dissertation. Ideally, the dissertation should be based on the work that you will undertake during the placement, but this is not compulsory.

The placement will involve a substantial technical role in the host organisation. Individual placements are subject to availability and approval by the programme coordinator.

Pre-requisite and co-requisite modules: None

The module is suitable for non-specialist students. 

 

AIMS - intentions of the module

The professional placement will give you the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills that you have obtained from taught modules to real situations at a professional level. You will be expected to use your own initiative and creativity to integrate the knowledge that you have gained in several areas of your degree programme to deliver appropriate technical solutions and analysis in a professional manner. 

 

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)

On successful completion of the work placement, you should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:

1. Demonstrate the acquisition of new knowledge and practical skills, the specifics being dependent on the particular work placement undertaken.

2. Apply academic skills from the degree programme to analyse and identify solution of problems in a workplace setting.

3. Demonstrate wide knowledge and comprehensive understanding of relevant methodologies and the ability to adapt them in unfamiliar situations also identifying constraints including regulatory, ethical, environmental and sustainability limitations.



Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:


4. Select and use appropriate ICT based tools for analysis, design and communication with your audience.

5. Critically analyse and present data to support decision making.

Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge:

6. Produce a work-plan appropriate for the particular work placement undertaken.

7. Demonstrate self-management skills, identifying and meeting targets within time constraints (with very little guidance required from project supervisor).

8. Keep a journal focused on the key features of a learning experience, on monitoring the progress, and reflecting critically on your experience.

9. Work constructively as part of a team.

10. Respond positively to work appraisal.

11. Produce a written report conforming to a specified format and to a professional standard.


 

SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module

The work that you will carry out during the professional placement depends on the nature and type of placement you are undertaking. However, it is mandatory that your employer gives you the opportunity to work on a substantial piece of work, which you will write about in the placement project report. 

 

LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 20.00 Guided Independent Study 80.00 Placement / Study Abroad 500.00
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Category Hours of study time Description
Scheduled learning and teaching activities 20 Regular meetings with the academic supervisor
Placement 500 hours spread during the placement Independent work in a team with the day-to-day guidance of the company supervisor
Guided indepedent study 80 Research undertaken by student and preparation of reports

 

ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade

Regular verbal feedback from line manager and academic supervisor.

 

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 80 Written Exams 0 Practical Exams 20
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Form of Assessment % of Credit Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Work-plan 20 1000 words 1-3, 6, 7 Written
Placement report, including a reflective journal 60 6000 words All Written
Interview 20 30 min interview (including presentation and Q&A) All Written
         
         

 

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)
Original Form of Assessment Form of Re-assessment ILOs Re-assessed Time Scale for Re-assessment
Work plan *  Placement report, including the reflective journal 1-3, 6, 7 August RefDef Period
Placement report, including the reflective journal *  Placement report, including the reflective journal All August RefDef Period
Interview * Interview All August RefDef Period

 

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES

Deferrals: Reassessment will be by coursework and/or interview in the deferred element only. For deferred candidates, the module mark will be uncapped. 

Referrals: Reassessment will be by a single piece of coursework worth 100% of the module only. As it is a referral, the mark will be capped at 50%. 

RESOURCES
INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener

ELE: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk




 

Reading list for this module:

Type Author Title Edition Publisher Year ISBN Search
Set Neugebaur, J Making the Most of your Placement Sage Publications 2009 978-1847875686 [Library]
Set McMillan, K., Weyers, J. How to Write Dissertations and Project Reports Pearson Education 2010 978-0273726937 [Library]
Set McMillan, K., Weyers, J. How to Write Essays and Assignments Pearson Education Skills Set 2010 978-0273726951 [Library]
Set Bowden, J. Writing a Report: How to Prepare, Write and Present Effective Reports 8th How To Books Ltd 2008 978-1845282936 [Library]
CREDIT VALUE 60 ECTS VALUE 30
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES None
CO-REQUISITE MODULES None
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 7 AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No
ORIGIN DATE Wednesday 14 April 2021 LAST REVISION DATE Thursday 26 January 2023
KEY WORDS SEARCH Professional placement