Module Identifier EAM3260  
Module Title RESEARCH DISSERTATION IN ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ANALYSIS  
Academic Year 2005/2006  
Co-ordinator Dr Bill Perkins  
Semester Semester 3 (Summer)  
Other staff Dr Nicholas J G Pearce, Dr Bill Perkins  
Pre-Requisite Successful completion of core and optional semester 1 and 2 Masters level modules  
Course delivery Other   No formal contact time but students will be assigned a supervisor to provide guidance and advice during the course of the research and the writing of the dissertation.  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Assessment Produce a 15,000 ? 20,000 word (maximum) research thesis.80%
Semester Assessment Present a research seminar.20%
Supplementary Assessment Students will be required to resubmit the research thesis and present their research findings in the form of an oral presentation. Both assessed elements must be successfully completed. 

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Independently formulate research design and hypotheses.

2. Demonstrate their knowledge of the theoretical principles of scientific research.

3. Place research in appropriate wider contexts.

4. Search relevant databases.

5. Undertake independent fieldwork (if applicable)

6. Undertake appropriate laboratory analyses.

7. Demonstrate proficiency in appropriate statistical and analytical methodologies.

8. Present the results and conclusions of their research in a coherent manner in the form of professional quality thesis with due consideration to aspects of data quality.

9. Present the results and conclusions of their research in a coherent manner in the form of an oral presentation.

10. Work to a tight schedule.

Brief description

The research project is an independent study on a chosen research question in EMA. Students will have the possibility to specialise in the use of specific technique(s) in order to solve particular research questions. Students will be encouraged to collect materials for analysis and thus obtain data sets from appropriate environmental media. Projects will often be related to research interests of staff and may involve collaboration with external bodies (e.g. Environment Agency)
Students will be expected to devise a research enquiry and to use appropriate laboratory and interpretation/visualization as well as GIS techniques (where appropriate modules have been taken) to solve the research problem.

Content

Module Skills

Problem_solving Students are expected to devise a research enquiry and to use appropriate techniques to solve the problem.  
Research skills Research skills are integral to the successful completion of the module as it is based on a research enquiry.  
Communication Students will present their work to their colleagues and to members of staff through the medium of a formal presentation.  
Improving own Learning and Performance Students will conduct much of this work independently; therefore there is a requirement for them to read appropriate literature and to ensure that maintain good time management to complete the research on time.  
Team work Team work may be required for the collection of appropriate environmental media in the field.  
Information Technology Team work may be required for the collection of appropriate environmental media in the field. Students may use a variety of statistical, graphical, spreadsheet, data handling and GIS software.  
Application of Number The research will involve the analysis of data. Statistical tests will be performed on the data set.  
Personal Development and Career planning Skills gained in specialist analytical techniques, together with other software (includingGIS where appropriate) will directly aid those seeking a career in the environmental field.  

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7