What you will study
The study materials guide your project planning and help with searching and evaluating the literature and writing your dissertation. As part of your first assignment, you’ll develop a proposal for a project on your chosen topic, guided by your tutor-supervisor.
Your project will typically be literature-based and must:
- focus on a well-defined area (diagnosis, causes or interventions) directly related to anxiety, depression, psychosis or dementia
- be primarily from biological/psychological perspectives
- be approved by your tutor-supervisor.
Project proposals that are health and social care-based or have a primary focus other than biological/psychological (e.g. education) fall outside this scope. Two intermediate submissions will help you to keep your project on track. You should check the SXH890 website and online forums frequently. This module also includes group discussions, online tutorials, and an online peer review activity.
Vocational relevance
The module is good preparation for further research in mental health science. It will develop skills and knowledge relevant to employment within the health sector, life sciences, medical and related fields, which will inform and strengthen professional practice.
Entry
You must be studying the MSc in Mental Health Science (F78). Therefore, you can’t study this module independently or as part of any other qualification.
You must have completed both Introduction to mental health science (S826) and Core topics in mental health science (SD816).
Preparatory work
You might find reading the following books helpful before and during your studies:
- Biggam, J. (2021) Succeeding with your Master’s dissertation: a step-by-step handbook, Open University Press (5th edn), 320 pp. ISBN 978-0335249817
- Dawson, M., Dawson, B. and Overfield, A. (2013) Communication skills for biosciences, Wiley Press, 185 pp. ISBN 978-0470863930
- Divan, A. (2009) Communication skills for the biosciences: a graduate guide, Oxford University Press, 256 pp. ISBN 978-0199226351
- Nygaard, L.P. (2017) Writing your Master’s thesis, SAGE publications, 224pp. ISBN 978-1473903937
If you have a disability
Your project must include a literature review. You’ll have to access literature resources electronically and undertake substantive online searches of electronic databases and journals. You’ll also be able to participate in online forums and activities. Consequently, you’ll spend extensive time using a computer and the internet.
The module uses real-time (synchronous) and asynchronous online discussions and interactive whiteboard space. If you use assistive technology or have a hearing or speech impairment and have concerns about accessing this type of virtual environment and materials, you can visit the system provider’s website for information and contact us to discuss your options.
Where possible, Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of module material are available. Some online components might not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader. Due to our use of external websites and third-party content, we can’t guarantee the accessibility of all module components. PDF versions of most journal articles are available through the OU library, as well as HTML full text. Some Adobe PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader: mathematical and scientific notification could be particularly difficult to read in this way. If you use a screen reader to access material on screen, check that it’s compatible with the Open University Library’s electronic databases and resources before you start.
To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our disability support pages.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
Your tutor-supervisor will help you by:
- providing you with support and guidance for your project and approving your project proposal and plan
- marking your assignments and providing feedback comments on your written proposal and project plan, identifying areas for you to improve
- offering general study skills support or guiding you to specific module content and additional learning resources, where relevant
- facilitating online discussions between your fellow students in the dedicated module and tutor group forums.
The module team and tutors will also run online tutorials throughout the module. Where possible, recordings of online tutorials will be made available. While these tutorials won’t be compulsory for completing the module, you’re strongly encouraged to participate.
Assessment
You can find the assessment details for this module in the facts box.
Future availability
MSc project module for MSc in Mental Health Science (SXH890) starts once a year – in November.
This page describes the module that will start in November 2025.
We expect it to start for the last time in November 2029.