Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

Students are expected to have a DRP from Geo2111 or Geo2127 in order to start Geo3099. Students also require skills from Geo2043 or Geo2137 to successfully complete Geo3099.

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

1. To allow students to undertake original research in any aspect of Geography
2. To foster an ability to undertake independent research and writing to see a complex project through from start to finish.
3. To support the personal and academic development of Geography students, by providing an ongoing personalised point of contact

Outline Of Syllabus

Students will attend monthly (group and individual meetings) with their dissertation mentors/personal tutors to discuss the progress of their dissertation project as well stage 3 experience more broadly and any pastoral matters.

Lectures and computer workshops throughout the year will address specific aspects of the dissertation project.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

1. Formulate questions/ problem/ topic
2. Link to appropriate literature/ scientific background
3. Develop concepts/ relevance of argument and methodology/ use of the literature
4. Collect information/ undertake research activity
5. Analyse/ examine information
6. Interpret and discuss findings
7. Draw conclusions
8. Deliver quality presentation, use of English, illustrations, bibliography/ references

Intended Skill Outcomes

1. Capacity to design, undertake and write-up research originated by the student
2. Where relevant, the ability to assemble, analyse and interpret data including statistical testing, or qualitative methods
3. Capacity to synthesise material and come to conclusions
4. Ability to clearly present material using various means of presentation, e.g. text, maps, photographs
5. Ability to organise own work, manage time and work schedules

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

This module is taught through a mixture of lectures, group and individual meetings and computer workshops The lectures provide the basic scaffolding about the dissertation project (eg how to analyse data, how to write-up the various chapters of a dissertation) but also broader developmental points related to pastoral care and employability. Monthly meetings with mentors who also act as personal tutors provide the bespoke guidance students need to develop various stages of their project and also serve as points of contact to discuss pastoral matters and more broadly students' personal and professional development. Computer workshops provide bespoke support for those undertaking and quantitative and GIS-based dissertation, as student feedback in recent years has indicted that this extra support is needed. Overall, contact hours are set to balance support with the requirements of an independent project. In line with the requirement for independent learning, students will also be encouraged to recognize when they need additional support and contact staff - the hours listed represent the minimum contact, but most students exceed this, making use of FGC hours.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The Dissertation project is the summation of the student's efforts in undertaking an original research project of their own conception and design. The Dissertation will demonstrate how the students have formulated their research topic, situated them in the appropriate literature, developed a conceptual framework and methodology, undertaken research, analysed, interpreted and discussed findings, drawn conclusions and delivered a well-written, well- presented report to the appropriate academic standard. In line with the ethos of balancing support and independent learning, the draft chapter submission offers formative feedback to students, which will feed-forward to improve their final dissertation.

General Notes

N/A