We intend to give an insight into the various programmes in Cardiff School of Sport (CSS) the student numbers on each programme and how this changed through the period under consideration.We will also detail how these programmes map onto the dissertation module through the variety of disciplines of study available to students undertaking dissertations within the School. A description of the department the structure and brief history of the module set the context and rationale. Innovations in assessment and delivery of the module are outlined and to conclude we consider possible future innovations.
The case study is based upon a six year period between the academic years 2004-2005 and 2009-2010. The module described is a Level 6 40-credit module entitled Undergraduate Dissertation Module. The module is a compulsory requirement for all students on sport-related honours degrees with CSS. In 2009-2010 there were approximately 400 students undertaking dissertations supervised by over fifty staff. Table 1 provides a synopsis of the programmes of study and the number of students within the CSS who undertook the dissertation module during the case study period.
These figures illustrate the growth in student numbers through this period. One of the key aspects of the case study relates to the changes in delivery supervision and marking needed to enable us to cope with these increased student numbers. As indicated by Armstrong (2004) levels of student dissatisfaction and subsequent student failure can be attributed to inadequacies in the process of dissertation supervision; a factor often exacerbated in programmes with high student numbers.
