Module Information
Module Identifier
ES30500
Module Title
Environmental Science Dissertation
Academic Year
2016/2017
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 1 (Taught over 2 semesters)
Pre-Requisite
Only available to Honours Environmental Science
Other Staff
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 4 x 2 Hour Lectures |
| Lecture | 1 x 3 Hour Lecture |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Oral Presentation 10 minute oral presentation (+ 3 minutes for questions), in which students present the data that they have collected and preliminarily analysed and interpreted. | 10% |
| Semester Assessment | Written Dissertation Project (9,000 words) | 90% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Supplmementray Oral Presentation Resubmission of failed components if the aggregate mark is a fail. Marks for passed components will be carried forward in the recalculation of the re-sat module mark. | 10% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Supplementary / Resubmission Written Dissertation project Resubmission of failed components if the aggregate mark is a fail. Marks for passed components will be carried forward in the recalculation of the re-sat module mark. | 90% |
Learning Outcomes
On succesful completion of this module students will be able to:-
- demonstrate in depth knowledge of their chosen subject area
- demonstrate critical thought
- demonstrate the ability to conduct independent research
- demonstrate the ability to synthesise conflicting/ complimentary arguments
- present, where appropriate, data in numerate form
Aims
To develop skills in basic research and written presentation of results. Emphasis is placed on initial design of investigations, quantitative and inferential analysis and all aspects of presentation, including argument and graphical support.
Brief description
An independent piece of research involving the collection and analysis of primary data. Normally based on fieldwork undertaken during the summer vacation and Semester 1 of the third year.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | If appropriate to the selected research topic, students may develop numerical skills through the collection, analysis and presentation of quantitative data. |
| Communication | Written communication skills are developed through the production of a written report. Oral communication skills are developed through discussion of the research in individual supervisory or small group meetings, and through the oral presentation. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Students will be encouraged to reflect on their experience of planning and undertaking research in the individual and group meetings, in the oral presentation and the written report. |
| Information Technology | Students will be expected to employ appropriate IT resources in identifying data sources and collecting data (e.g. internet, electronic information resources), in data analysis (e.g. statistical packages), in preparing for the oral presentation (e.g. using PowerPoint) and in producing the project report (e.g. word processing, GIS and mapping packages). |
| Personal Development and Career planning | Personal development and career planning will be developed as part of the APPR sessions and Personal Tutor meetings that are a part of this module. In addition, the generic skills developed through the research project will have significant transferability to a wide range of career contexts. These skills will not be assessed formally. |
| Problem solving | Problem solving skills are developed through the identification of research questions, appropriate methodology and research plan, and through responses to difficulties experienced during data collection |
| Research skills | Research skills are developed through the collection and analysis of data appropriate for investigation of the research questions. |
| Subject Specific Skills | Depending on chosen topic, these may include specific data collection skills in environmental science (e.g. surveying, sampling, chemical analyses). |
| Team work | Team work will be developed through small group debates and work in the group support sessions. These skills will not be assessed formally. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 6