Dissertation: Geography, Environmental Science, and Environmental Earth Science

Module Identifier: GS34040
Module Title: Dissertation: Geography, Environmental Science, and Environmental Earth Science
Academic Year: 2027/2028
Semester: Semester 2 Taught over 2 semesters
Co-ordinator: Dr Cerys Jones
Reading List: View on Aspire
Pre-Requisite: Registration for a single-honours' degree in Geography, Physical Geography or Human Geography, Environmental Science, or Environmental Earth Science.
Exclusive (Any Acad Year): DA34040
Other Staff: Dr Tom Holt; Dr Hywel Griffiths; Dr Andy Hardy; Dr Yvonne Ehrstein; Professor Andy Mitchell; Professor Rhys Jones; Dr Mitch Rose; Professor Richard Lucas; Dr Morgan Jones; Professor Sarah Davies; Dr Harry Toland; Dr Jesse Heley; Dr Elizabeth Gagen; Professor Peter Merriman; Professor Geoff Duller; Dr Bethany Simmonds; Dr Guilherme A. Bortolotto; Professor Bryn Hubbard; Dr Marie Busfield; Dr Tristram Irvine-Fynn; Dr Cerys Jones; Professor Stephen Tooth; Professor Michael Woods; Rhys Dafydd Jones; Dr Pete Bunting; Professor Mark Whitehead; Dr Gareth Hoskins

Assessment

Assessment Type	Assessment details	Proportion
Semester Assessment	Oral presentation: in which students present their progress. 10 Minutes	10%
Semester Assessment	Dissertation: 12000 Words	90%
Supplementary Assessment	Dissertation: 12000 Words	90%
Supplementary Assessment	Recorded oral presentation: in which students present their progress. 10 Minutes	10%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

Plan, design and execute a piece of rigorous research or enquiry.
Undertake, effective and appropriate empirical research, including the collection of primary data.
Analyse data in a rigorous manner, employing appropriate techniques and interpret finding in the context of existing knowledge and theories.
Produce a substantial written research report in an appropriate academic style.
Demonstrate self-motivation, planning and initiative in working independently.
Present in a professional manner the context of the study, and their progress in an oral presentation.

Brief description

This module takes the form of a student-led independent research project for single-honours' geographers, environmental scientists, or environmental earth scientists. An appropriate topic of relevance is proposed by the student and approved by their module co-ordinator. The project involves four stages: (i) the identification of a research topic and development of an appropriate research plan; (ii) empirical research to collect primary data and/or collate information from secondary sources, as appropriate for the research issue; (iii) the analysis of data and information, including the interpretation of findings in the context of existing knowledge and theories. An assessed oral presentation in which students present their progress, to be delivered in semester 1; (iv) the production of a 12,000 word final report, to be submitted in semester 2.

Content

This module takes the form of a student-led independent research project for single-honours' geographers, environmental scientists, or environmental earth scientists. Each student will be allocated an advisor who will provide guidance on the development and reporting of the project. Students will receive support for their independent study in a number of different contexts:

(i) individual meetings with their advisor. These meetings will enable the advisor to provide their student with individual feedback and guidance and will also act as the basis of the personal tutor system at Level 3;

(ii) group meetings. These meetings will act as a basis for discussing key information, which will help the students to complete their independent project;

(iii) generic skills lectures (which will have a significant Careers component) for the degree scheme or the whole year group, where appropriate. Some of these will act as support sessions for the Dissertation, e.g. structuring your dissertation, presentation skills, while others may focus on CPD (Continuing Personal Development) issues, e.g. relating to skills and employability.

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: the oral presentation; discussion of the research - individually and in groups; and may be developed through empirical research where verbal research methods are employed (e.g. interviews and questionnaires).
Improving own Learning and Performance	Students will be encouraged to reflect on their experience of planning and undertaking research in the individual and group discussions.
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. 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 CPD 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.
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.
Team work	Team work will be developed in the group support sessions. These skills will not be assessed formally.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6