The University for business

and the professions

School of Engineering
and Mathematical
Sciences

MSc Maritime Operations and

Management

Dissertation Guide

Last revised December 2008

Disclaimer This Handbook should be read in conjunction with the School Student Handbook 2008/9 which contains
general information of importance to all students in the School.
The information given in this Handbook is believed to be correct at the time of writing. However, the University reserves
the right to make changes in regulations, syllabuses etc. without prior notice. Please note that University Regulations
over-ride any information given in this document.
Table of Content

MSC MARITIME OPERATIONS AND MANAGEMENT ......................................................1

DISSERTATION GUIDELINES AT A GLANCE....................................................................1
PRESENTING YOUR DISSERTATION CHECKLIST...........................................................2
1. INTRODUCTION...............................................................................................................3
2. WHAT IS A MASTERS PROJECT/DISSERTATION.........................................................3
3. FINDING A PROJECT .....................................................................................................4
4. PRECONDITIONS (BEFORE STARTING YOUR PROJECT) .........................................5
5. ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS..........................................................................................5
5.1. LEARNING OUTCOMES........................................................................................................5
5.2. TIMESCALE AND PLANNING..................................................................................................6
5.3. ASSESSMENT ..................................................................................................................6
5.4. PROJECT EXTENSIONS.......................................................................................................7
5.5. REFERRALS ....................................................................................................................7
6. THE PROJECT PROPOSAL.............................................................................................8
7. MANAGING YOUR PROJECT..........................................................................................8
7.1. CONTACTING YOUR SUPERVISOR AND INITIAL MEETINGS............................................................9
7.2. YOUR ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES.......................................................................................9
7.3. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SUPERVISOR.................................................................10
8. THE DISSERTATION.......................................................................................................11
8.1. MAIN SECTIONS.............................................................................................................12
8.2. PLAGIARISM...................................................................................................................14
9. SUBMITTING YOUR DISSERTATION FOR EXAMINATION..........................................15
9.1. RESULTS NOTIFICATION.....................................................................................................15
10. FINAL PRESENTATION ...............................................................................................16
10.1. PRESENTATION OF YOUR WORK TO THE WORLD.....................................................................16
APPENDIX I: PROJECT APPROVAL FORM
MSC MARITIME OPERATIONS AND MANAGEMENT.....................................................18

Appendix I : Project Proposal Form………………..…………………………...………………15

Please read this Guide in conjunction with the Programme Handbook and the
School Student Handbook.
Dissertation Guidelines at a Glance

You
You have
have passed
passed the
the DON’T KNOW The programme administrator will
NO
You cannot start your project until you taught modules
taught modules contact you, but if you are
have completed and passed - 6 core reasonably sure of meeting the
and 3 elective modules. YES preconditions (section 4) start
Find looking for a project now.
Find aa project
project (Section
(Section 3)
3)
Sort
Sort out: what , where,
out: what , where, who,
who, when
when (section
(section 4)
4)
Submit
Submit Project
Project Proposal
Proposal (section
(section 6)
6)
YES

NO Your
Your Project
Project Proposal
Proposal isis approved
approved DON’T KNOW
Act on the feedback Email the programme office after 2
weeks of submitting your project
proposal
You
You understand
understand roles
roles and
and
responsibilities
responsibilities (section
(section 7)
7)

YES

The relationship between you and your NO Agree

Agree schedule
schedule and
and DON’T KNOW
supervisor is fixed term. Agree an end date submission
submission date
date This is the same as no!
and a schedule before proceeding

(Refer
(Refer to
to section
section 77 for
for how
how to
to manage
manage your
your project,
project, section
section 88 for
for how
how to
to
organise
organise your
your dissertation,
dissertation, and
and section
section 99 for
for submission
submission format.)
format.)
SUBMIT
SUBMIT your your dissertation
dissertation for
for examination.
examination.

You
You are
are asked
asked to
to defend
defend you
you work
work byby oral
oral
Your
Your dissertation
dissertation has
has passed
passed subject
subject to
to presentation
NO YES presentation and
and interview
interview (see
(see section
section 10)
10)
consideration by Board of Examiners
consideration by Board of Examiners
Refer to sections 5.4 and 5.5 NO YES

Final Results published YES Oral

Oral presentation
presentation successful
successful

1
Presenting your Dissertation Checklist

Have you included an abstract (check the parts of a dissertation in section 8)

Has your work been proof read and spell checked marks are allocated for style and presentation (see section 5.3).
Is your work properly referenced, (see section 8.2) – consequences of plagiarism will be real and severe.
Before you start formatting check the guidelines in section 9. (Note Type should be black, size 12, Arial with half spaces between lines).

Final projects must be hard bound, in black with gold writing.

The following information should be on the front cover (in gold) On the spine (also in gold) should be:

Student's name Student name

Title of project MOaM
Name of Supervisor Year of submission of dissertation
Year of submission of dissertation
The course name

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 MSc in Maritime Operations and Management: Dissertation Guide

1. Introduction

The dissertation is a major part of your MSc (it is worth 50 credits out of the overall
180 credits). A well-written project1 (dissertation) can be a career milestone and an
excellent indicator of the type and quality of work, of which you are capable. It is
your opportunity to investigate a substantial problem and demonstrate you ability to
tackle an independent piece of work.
The purpose of this guide is to help you complete your project successfully. It gives
you information about finding a suitable project, carrying out you project and writing
up your project into a dissertation, so that it can be presented for internal and
external examination. The guide also describes the roles and responsibilities of
both students and supervisors and pitfalls to avoid.

2. What is a Masters Project/Dissertation

What is a suitable topic for an MSc project? Each project is different and we want
to give you maximum flexibility to tackle a project that fits with your interest and
career plans.
The starting point (and foundation) can come from the topics covered in the taught
modules, but the investigation for your dissertation needs to go well beyond this.
Typically, the MSc topic is a problem/issue, which is common across the maritime
industries or specialist industries servicing maritime operations and management.
It could be:

• A new (or alternative), approaches to some known problem.

• A comparative study of some alternative approaches, designs or solutions.
• An existing approach, which you apply to a new class of problem.
• New analysis or critique of well-known work.
• The devising of a new method, or methods.
• Extending existing methods into a new area.
• Novel in applying analytic techniques to address real world problem(s).

1
In this guide the terms ’project’ and ‘dissertation’ are interchangeable. Essentially what you are doing is a
project but at Masters Level the written output of the project is called a dissertation.

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 MSc in Maritime Operations and Management: Dissertation Guide

The initial energy and drive must come from you, but this is not something you can
do on your own. It is important that you are proactive in working with your

Project is not completed or fail, typically

when the topic and scope of the project is
inappropriate, for example:

too simple and undemanding

too large to tackle in the timescale
too ambitious conceptually
outside the scope of an MSc in MOaM
access to data is restricted
data is not available

supervisor.
Your topic should enable your to demonstrate critical awareness of complex,
incomplete or contradictory areas of knowledge. Your supervisor will help you
discard inappropriate ideas, and advise you on the feasibility of your project before
you start.
The project approval process (see section 4) is a safeguard. It will prevent your
from embarking on an inappropriate project.

3. Finding a Project

Suitable projects typically originate from four sources.

1. One of the partner organisations involved in the programme advertises a
project. If you are interested in one of these projects, you can apply directly.
You might be interviewed or go though some other selection process. If you are
successful, the project specifications will come with a prospective supervisor
and placement in an organisation.
2. Your employer is in the Maritime business and you want to do your project as
part of your current professional practice. In this case, you must approach a
potential supervisor. This has to be someone with expertise in the area of your
project from either internal (City University) staff or an external tutor who taught
one of the modules.
3. You might spot an opportunity for a research project in an academic institution
(e.g. City University or elsewhere). These projects are highly specialist and if
you have a particular interest you could approach an academic who is doing
research in the area (at City or else where). You might spot an advert for this

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 MSc in Maritime Operations and Management: Dissertation Guide

kind of project, but more offer you need to take the initiative, make your case,
and present your ideas.
4. You might opt for a library/internet based research project where you undertake
a significant review, critical analysis, and/or survey. In this case, your work
must incorporate an applied dimension either as case studies or as scenario
applications. It is your responsibility to find a supervisor with expertise in the
topic either from City University or an external tutor or expert.
Consider your personal interest and career objectives in the earliest stages of
thinking about your project. As soon as you can write a half page summary of
preliminary ideas or enthusiasms, these however tentative, will be useful for
identifying project areas, possible organisations and suitable project supervisors.

4. Preconditions (before starting your project)

This is what must happen before you start your project. If you ignore any of the
preconditions, there is a risk that your dissertation will be disqualified, or fail.
Before you can start your project, you must achieve an overall MSc Level in the
taught part of the programme. Whether you were registered initially for the
Diploma or for the MSc course, the programme administrator will contact you when
you have completed 6 core and 3 elective modules and achieved an overall MSc
level pass in this taught part of the programme. At this stage, (and only at this
stage), if you wish to complete the qualification for the Masters Award, you must
undertake an approved project.
You will know when you are nearly at this milestone and can start preparing to
submit your project proposal form.
Projects can come together in various ways but essentially, you cannot proceed
until all of the following are resolved: what you will investigate; where your project
will be based; who will supervise; and when you will submit your project for
examination.
The onus is on you to resolve the logistics and the details and signal that you are
ready to start you project by submitting a project proposal. You will find a project
proposal form in Appendix I, and guidelines for preparing your proposal in section
6.
The programme administrator will notify you when your proposal is approved, or if
your proposal is not approved you will be given feedback. (See section 6)

5. Academic Requirements

5.1. Learning Outcomes

Senior managers need to apply their expertise to the analysis of complex situations
and to report their views and opinions in a clear and concise manner. In your
dissertation, you are expected to describe, analyse and report upon a technical,
economic, or management situation or a combination of such situations and to
develop appropriate conclusions.
You will need to score 50% to pass your dissertation. Your dissertation should
demonstrate that you have undertaken a combination of the learning outcomes in
table 1.

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MSc in Maritime Operations and Management: Dissertation Guide

Table 1: Individual Project - Learning Outcomes

1. Research a topic beyond the course material.

2.Diagnose an appropriate problem for investigation, (scope and focus).
3.Formulate strategies for undertaking major investigations to yield realistic
outcomes and results.
4.Select and use appropriate methodology in the research of a problem.
5.Critically analyse a complex technical, economic or management problem.
6. Produce a written report on a complex issue.
7.Acquire, assimilate and critically evaluate relevant information.
8. Develop concise and coherent recommendations.
9.Present and defend findings in both a written dissertation and oral presentation.
[Source: EPM780-Individual Project (MOaM)

5.2. Timescale and Planning

A master’s level dissertation is a substantial piece of work. It takes up to 3 months

of full time study or part time equivalent. The three months (or equivalent) is 480
hours of self-directed study. During this time, you are entitled to up to 20 hours of
supervision time. Supervision time includes personal tutorials and written advice,
instruction, guidance and feedback by arrangement with your supervisor. It also
includes the first consultation with your supervisor, which will form the bases on
which you will write your project proposal.
When you submit your project proposal, you should indicate a provisional
submission date. This is so that both you and your supervisor are, clear about
commitments, and you can plan your project schedule.
Please be aware that:
1. After your project proposal is accepted by the Programme Director, there is a
one year time limit on submitting your dissertation.
2. Dissertations can be submitted for examination 3 times a year (September,
January and March). The exact dates will be published annually.

5.3. Assessment

Two internal examiners will examine your dissertation, (the 1st marker will be your
supervisor). The external examiner sees all assessed dissertations.
The pass mark is
Purpose of Oral Presentation / 50%. If your
Interview
dissertation meets the
to ensure plagiarism has not taken required standard, you
place
in cases where marks fall on the
borderline between grades

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MSc in Maritime Operations and Management: Dissertation Guide

maybe asked to give an oral presentation, which will be examined by two or more
examiners.
You dissertation and oral presentation should demonstrate the learning outcomes
for this part of the course (section 5.1).
Table 2 shows allocation of marks against assessment criteria. Performance will
be differentiated against each of the criteria listed.

Table 2: Individual Project – Assessment allocation of marks

Criteria Mark (%)
Formulation and explanation of the ‘problem’ 10
Critical awareness of / review of previous work in the field 10
Quality and relevance of information collected 15
Technical analysis of the issues involved 15
Judgemental analysis of the issues involved 15
Development and justification of the conclusions 15
Style and presentation of the written dissertation 10
Evidence of accuracy, reflection and synthesis in answering questions 10
*pass mark = 50% 100

5.4. Project Extensions

If absence, illness or other problems outside of your control, affect your work, and
are likely to prevent or hinder you in meeting your completion deadline, please
write to the programme administrator immediately. This is your responsibility and
under no circumstance wait until the deadline is past.
Students unable to complete their dissertations within the allotted course period (1
year), may be granted, at the discretion of the Board of Examiners, an extension of
three months without charge.
Subsequent extensions, also at the discretion of the Board of Examiners, up to a
maximum of one year may be granted but a fee will be charged. Extensions
subsequent to this may be granted only in exceptional circumstances.

5.5. Referrals

A referral means that the dissertation scored below the 50% pass mark. The
dissertation will be returned to the student with feedback.
To indicate the scale of the problem the dissertation will be placed in one of three
categories:

• Satisfactory with significant weaknesses (marks: 40 -49 )

• Weak but capable of being rewritten to a pass standard (mark: 30 – 39 )
• Poor and not possible to retrieve within the scope of the project (mark: 0 – 29)

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 MSc in Maritime Operations and Management: Dissertation Guide

The student will be invited to discuss the way forward but please be aware that a
dissertation that is referred can be resubmitted only once.

6. The Project Proposal

The dissertation comprises a 15,000 word document that conforms to the

requirements in section 8. The project proposal is a milestone in this process. It
must be agreed before you start your project because it is both an important safety
net and an initial planning document.
Depending on the origins of your project ideas (see section 6) you many have had
an initial meeting with your potential supervisor. However, please do not take
anything for granted until your project proposal has been approved.
The form in appendix I must accompany your project proposal. Please attach to the
form a project proposal (on 2 sides of A4). The proposal should include:
1. Project Title. This is a working title and can be changed with the agreement of
your supervisor.
2. Purpose. Define your aims and objectives as far as possible at this stage.
3. Structure. Content list to show how your dissertation will be organised and
what will be include under each section.
4. Project Plan. Outline of your plan of action with milestones.
5. Risks and Barriers. What you think are the main risks and barriers to
successful completion of your dissertation.

This document will be used to ensure (as far as possible) that your proposal is
relevant and possible. It is at this stage that some obvious pitfalls can be avoided.
For example in cases where the problem is too simplistic and undemanding, or too
large to be completed within the project timescale; you will be advised on how to
extend or restrict the scope of your project. At this stage, you will also be alerted if
the problem is outside the scope of relevance to the degree, or the project scope is
valid but access to necessary data/information will be too restrictive.

7. Managing your Project

The main task of the supervisor will be to advice you on the validity of the proposed
scope of the investigation - the aims and objectives, and the appropriateness of the
methodologies employed to achieve these aims. You must therefore maintain
contact with your supervisor on a regular basis and keep him/her informed about
every aspect of the research from planning to presentation of the dissertation. If
you fail to keep in touch or fail to heed your supervisor’s advice, then you could
place the outcome of your studies at risk.
Your supervisor is your main guide and mentor, but you are expected to show
initiative and independence, the dissertation is after all your own work. Your
supervisor is required to write a report to the examiners. In this report s/he will
indicate the amount of assistance given.
Please refer to section 5.2 for information on timescale and planning. In general
your contact with your supervisor will take the form of tutorials, and written
feedback. The meetings can be face-to-face, by telephone or any appropriate
Internet conferencing or email facility.

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MSc in Maritime Operations and Management: Dissertation Guide

A typical pattern is one meeting every two weeks (or equivalent part-time) in the
first half of the project, followed by two weekly cycles of feedback on dissertation.
Supervisors can offer a maximum of 12 tutorials and will read your final (complete)
dissertation once.
When a supervisor has contributed to the research it is customary to acknowledge
this, (and City University), in any publications that may follow.
If absence, illness or other problems outside your control affect your work, then it is
your responsibility to let your supervisor know. Remember, however, that your
supervisor cannot grant extensions to the deadline for submitting your dissertation.
This can only be done by submitting a written request (with supporting evidence),
to the Programme Administrator.

7.1. Contacting Your Supervisor and Initial Meetings

You many have met with your supervisor before preparing your project proposal
but your first project-working meeting will be after your project proposal has been
accepted.
The purpose of your first meetings with your supervisor is to discuss your ideas and
refine your research proposal in the light of their advice and the practical
constraints that you face. This means that you can adapt the research described in
your project proposal. Nevertheless, it is expected that you will stick broadly to the
aims, objectives and methods described in your proposal.
At this meeting, you will agree on a regular contact format. This might be a face-to-
face meetings or you might agree to sent a weekly progress report to which your
supervisor responds in writing. The contact might take the form of a telephone
conversation or a lunchtime chat. Whatever you decide your supervisor will keep a
record of progress and so should you.
7.2. Your Role and Responsibilities

Your responsibilities include:

1. Agreeing with the supervisor the topic for the dissertation, its aims and
objectives.
2. At your first or second meeting, agreeing with your supervisor an overall work
plan for the completion of the dissertation.
3. At your first or second meeting, agreeing with your supervisor a schedule of
meetings (you are advised not to leave a meeting without agreeing the date for
the next).
4. Maintaining regular contact with your supervisor (remember that the onus is on
you to contact your supervisor. He or she will not 'chase' you.)
5. Keeping appointments and / or meeting dates by which time you have agreed
to forward work to your supervisor. Please keep a copy of your work.
6. Discussing with your supervisor the type of guidance and feedback that would
be most helpful.
7. Maintaining records of dates of meetings/contact with your supervisor.
8. Alerting your supervisor, without delay, to any factors that have disrupted the
schedule or otherwise impeded progress.

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MSc in Maritime Operations and Management: Dissertation Guide

9. Maintaining medical and other records in case of a need to apply for an

extension to your period of candidature.
10. Contacting the programme administrator in case of problems in contacting your
supervisor or other unforeseen circumstances.

7.3. Roles and Responsibilities of the Supervisor

Supervisors are responsible for the following:

1. Supervisors are expected to be accessible at reasonable times.
2. It is the supervisor's responsibility to ensure that you understand the need to
maintain regular contact. The supervisor is expected to monitor your progress,
to alert you’re to the procedures for monitoring progress and to keep records of
meetings, attendance and correspondence.
3. Ensure that you have an up to date dissertation guide.
4. At your first or second meeting: agreeing an overall work plan for the
completion of the dissertation, and agreeing a schedule of meetings.
5. Keeping appointments and / or meetings by which you have agreed to return
work to students.
6. Discussing with you the type of guidance and feedback which would be most
helpful.
7. advising students about
• theoretical issues and ideas relevant for the dissertation.
• appropriate research methodologies.
• the standard of work required.
• planning the research programme.
• study skills.
• writing and presentation of the dissertation.
8. Giving feedback to written section drafts, and one whole complete draft.
9. Oversight of submission and examination procedures.

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 MSc in Maritime Operations and Management: Dissertation Guide

8. The Dissertation

Every dissertation contains three elements – the introductory chapters that set the
scene and justify the investigation, the middle chapters that record the
Title Page
Declaration
Dedication (if any)
Acknowledgements
Abstract
Contents
(where appropriate include:
List of Tables
List of Figures
List of Appendices)
Symbols and abbreviations
(if appropriate)
Introduction
Literature Review
Methods
Results/Analysis/Discussion (subdivided as
appropriate)
Conclusions
Bibliography
Appendices

11
MSc in Maritime Operations and Management: Dissertation Guide

investigation, and the closing chapters that present, analyse and interpret the
findings.
In addition to this academic content, the dissertation also contains other sections
e.g. a signed statement indicating that the work is your own and that it is not being
submitted elsewhere for a degree.
Although the nature of the particular project will determine the actual structure of
the thesis and the number of chapters included, the pattern shown in the inset is a
typical example:
The actual titles and numbers of chapters will be determined by the area of
investigation. It is good ideas to rewrite the heading so they fit the investigation.
The list of content is an invaluable roadmap it should be a continuous progression
from the introduction to the conclusion so that the reader can follow the logic of the
project from browsing the structure of the content.

8.1. Main Sections

Introduction: The section introduces the Hints and Tips

subject under investigation and outlines the
purpose, aims, objectives, research
questions and methods adopted to achieve
the aims and objectives of the study.
This section offers the opportunity to
present factors, which influenced your
choice of topic not necessarily based on
previous research recorded in the literature.
For example, the idea(s) might come from
your professional practice.
The introduction should point out the
problem area you will investigate and why it
is worth doing.
Review of previous work Relevant
published work should be described and
discussed. The quality of the discussion is
of particular importance. Remember that
this section is not a list of ‘who says what’,
but an argument organised around themes
which you have identified as relevant from
the literature and the work of others.
Criticism should be coherent and balanced.
Excessive length of this section can be
taken as a sign that the candidate is unable
to select appropriate references.
The literature review should be structured in
a way that moves from general
considerations in the area of interest to a
more specific focus on research that is
immediately relevant to the research
questions under consideration.
12
Supervisors are there to help you.
Do not attempt to write several
chapters (or even the whole
dissertation!) before consulting your
supervisor. On the other hand, do
not hand in pages of rough notes.
Agree an overall structure and
prepare single chapters or sections
for comment and criticism.
Allow reasonable time for your
supervisor to read and comment on
your work before a meeting.
Make sure you work steadily at the
dissertation, submitting sections
regularly to an agreed plan. If you
leave huge gaps between
submissions of work, then even the
best supervisor will have difficulty in
relating current work to previous
submissions.
Try to write concisely, summarising
arguments and evidence. Remember
that you only have 15,000 words.
Use them wisely. The appendices
are included in this total.
When writing chapters or sections,
make sure you use appropriate
headings and subheadings as a guide
to the reader.
Make appropriate use of tables and
figures. A well-constructed table can
save several paragraphs of written
information. Remember to give all
tables and figures a unique reference
number and a descriptive title.
Quote the source as appropriate.
MSc in Maritime Operations and Management: Dissertation Guide

Methods In the methods section you should describe justify and explain the
methods of enquiry adopted. Indicate the parameters that you have imposed on
the study and the practical, engineering, scientific, or other reasons for this. You
should also explain how these parameters might restrict your ability to extrapolate
from the results.
In addition, you should outline the restrictions on the study that are beyond your
control. For example, limited time and resources may mean a restricted access to
data. Again, state the specific issues and the consequences for your research.
The methods and procedures should be presented in sufficient detail to enable the
reader to replicate the research process or follow the rationale of your investigation
strategy.
Remember that you may need to ensure confidentiality for participants in your
study including any references to them in the appendices, references to named
people and other sources.
At the end of the dissertation, you need to evaluate your investigation methods,
analysing where they worked well and where not. This is an important part of the
process.
Findings/Analysis The results section is about your findings. Here you are
describing the outcome of your investigation in a way that is accessible to your
reader, using tables, diagrams and graphical representation where appropriate.
The analysis section is your interpretation of the finding. Your supervisor may
advise you to combine your results and analysis if this makes your work easier to
read and present. When deciding which issues are important, remember to look for
any that you may have missed.
You should explain how significant your findings are for the general class of
problems, and specific problems and justify any generalisation where appropriate.
Be careful not to claim absolute truths or to over state the significance of your
findings.
The discussion section should discuss the implications of your results in relation to
your problem/research questions and demonstrate how your conclusions are
derived logically from your investigation.
A considered and reflective interpretation of the results should be offered here.
You could identify supporting literature, or other evidence for your interpretations.
In better dissertations, an analysis is presented of studies or evidence that tend to
conflict with the interpretations, with some discussion of the reasons which may
account for the apparent conflict.
The purpose of this section of the Dissertation is to relate your work to other
research and innovative practice in the Maritime industries.
Conclusions In the last section of your thesis you should re-examine your initial
aims and objectives. To do this you should relate your findings and conclusions to
your initial aims and objectives. Include suggestions for how your investigation
could have been improved. You should point out how the findings may be limited
by problems that were encountered.
Critically evaluate your work and indicate the extent to which your conclusions may
be considered valid and reliable, briefly summarise the lessons from the research,
and discuss the implications for further research and change in industrial practice.
Your task is straightforward; you must pre-empt significant criticisms of your study.
You have to convince the reader that you are an mature professional who can

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MSc in Maritime Operations and Management: Dissertation Guide

investigate a real problem and can make sound balanced judgement, based on
evidence and argument.
Bibliography In your Bibliography you must take care to acknowledge all papers
and books cited or used in the preparation of your dissertation. (Do not cite any
papers that you have not read and understood). You must double check the final
copy to ensure that they are accurate.
Avoiding Plagiarism
There is a standard form used in all
journals for listing these and you can Learn how to cite in text
finding tutorials on how to reference at: Use quotation marks for verbatim quotes
and reference correctly
Teat unpublished sources as if they are
published
Cite lectures as Blogs (personal
communication) date
Make sure any collaboration is authorised
by your supervisor
Acknowledge external help

http://www.city.ac.uk/library/research_support/citation.html
In the Acknowledgements section you should acknowledge any help provided
by your Dissertation supervisor, colleagues, participants in your study and other
appropriate people.

8.2. Plagiarism

Your dissertation is marked on the assumption that it is your own work. This means
the words, diagrams, figures, tables, ideas and arguments should all be your own.
However much of the work will be based on that you have read and heard and it is
important to show and knowledge that your work is indebted to other sources.
Heavy use of particular sources, obtaining help and reliance on others is possible
without plagiarism. Plagiarism can be completely avoided by reworking material
and acknowledging sources.
Please read the sections on plagiarism in the Programme Handbook. You could be
asked to submit your project in electronic format and this will be processed by
plagiarism software and scanned for instances of plagiarism.

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 MSc in Maritime Operations and Management: Dissertation Guide

9. Submitting your dissertation for examination

Once the intellectual work of your dissertation is complete, it is time to get the
format right so that your work conforms to the requirements in table 3.

Table 3: Dissertation Format

1. General Presentation
i. A4 paper must be used, one side only.
ii. all type should be in black, size 12 ariel
iii. use double line spacing or one and a half (1.5) line spacing.
iv. indented quotations should be single line spaced.
v. the left hand margin should not be less than 3.8cm.
vi. the right hand margin should not be less than 2cm.
vii. all tables should be numbered sequentially and be given a suitable heading.
viii. all drawings, graphs and charts should be given a figure number, together with
a suitable heading.
2. Specific Layout
i. on opening the dissertation, the first page should contain the title, your name,
the name of your supervisor, your sponsoring company (if any), the name of the
University, and date
ii. the second page is the declaration page (see example).
iii. next should be the abstract, followed by acknowledgements, a contents page, a
list of appendices together with lists of tables and figures.
3. Page one is the first page of chapter one. All pages before should be numbered with
small Roman numerals, e.g. (i), (ii), (iii), (iv).

When you are satisfied your dissertation is ready to be examined, have the
dissertation bound.
An original and two copies should be prepared: the original and one copy to be
submitted to the Programme Office and one (or more) copy/copies to be retained
by you. The original and copy submitted to the Department must be in a City
University thesis binder, available in 2 sizes: up to 99 pages and 100+ pages.
When you collect your dissertation from the bindery it is just as well to check that all
spellings and dates on the covers are correct, that the correct details are printed on
the spine and that all the pages are present and in the correct sequence in all
copies.
Remember that your Supervisor and Programme Director must approve your final
dissertation title. Both you and your Supervisor must sign both copies of the
dissertation in the spaces provided for that purpose.
Finally, hand in to the MSc Programme Office.

9.1. Results notification

You will be notified of the result by the University please do not ask your supervisor
or any other member of staff or examiner to comment before you are officially
contacted. If your dissertation meets the required standard (subject to

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 MSc in Maritime Operations and Management: Dissertation Guide

consideration by the Exam Board) you will be invited to give an oral presentation
(see section 10)
A note of warning. If you owe course fees, library fines or residence fees to the
University, then the Department will not send your dissertation to an external
examiner until the outstanding fees are paid.

10. Final Presentation

Once you have submitted your dissertation there will be a period of waiting while
your work is marked. If your dissertation meets the required standard, you will be
invited to give an oral presentation, which will be examined by two or more
examiners (see section 5.3).

10.1. Presentation of your work to the world

From time to time the school and the Programme will run networking events in
which you maybe asked to present your work to current and prospective students
and
people
Presentation Information in brief from
Expect a maximum of 10 people in the Industry.
audience You will
Come with copies of the abstract to normally
handout to your audience be asked
Use visual aid e.g. data projector, or OHPs
to make
(email the programme administrator if
you want t a practice session) a
Plan to talk for 15 minutes
Expect to answer questions for 10 minutes

presentation of 15 minutes on the topic of your dissertation, followed by 30 minutes

of questions from the audience.
Make sure your presentation is on your dissertation. Remember your dissertation
has achieved an MSc pass (subject to consideration by Board of Examiners), it is
worth talking about so do not be tempted to go off on a tangent.
You should provide your audience with a copy of the abstract from your
dissertation. In preparing your presentation, assume that not everybody in the
audience will have read your dissertation.

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MSc in Maritime Operations and Management: Dissertation Guide

Prepare your presentation and practice your delivery as if you are applying for a
job, and be sure to include acknowledgments.
Once you have completed the Programme and graduated you might like to
consider publishing your work online or as a article for a professional or academic
publication.

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Appendix I
School of Engineering and
Mathematical Sciences

Appendix I: Project Approval Form

MSc Maritime Operations and Management

1. Your details:

Name(s)

Email address and phone number:

Have you been notified that you have achieved an overall pass in the taught part of the programme? Yes/No

2. Information about your supervisor

Name(s)

Email address and phone number:

Organisation/Affiliation

3. Project Title ( this can be changed in consultation with your supervisor)

4. Provisional submission date______________________________

5. Project Proposal
Please attach a statement on 2 sides of A4. You should describe the problem you intend to investigate and
explain why it is a problem. Define your aims and objectives as far as possible at this stage. Please include: (1)
a content list to show how your dissertation will be organised and what will be include under each section , (2)
an outline your plan of action with milestones. Please also say what you think are the main risks and barriers to
success completion of your goals.

6. Confirmation of information

Name__________________________________________________

Signature_______________________________________________ Date________________

7. Proposal Approved

Signature___________________________________________ Date________________

8. Copied to supervisor and on file

Comments

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