Unit information: Dissertation in 2023/24

Unit name	Dissertation
Unit code	GEOG30001
Credit points	40
Level of study	H/6
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director	Dr. Ed Atkins
Open unit status	Not open
Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units)	None
Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units)	None
Units you may not take alongside this one	None
School/department	School of Geographical Sciences
Faculty	Faculty of Science

Unit Information

The dissertation provides an opportunity for students to undertake and report on a piece of original and individual geographical research on a topic of their own choosing. It allows them to demonstrate their skills in topic selection, in investigating the background context of their chosen topic, in research design and implementation, in analysis and in report writing. The background literature and research skills on which they draw might be those introduced in other parts of the geography programme, but the dissertation also provides an opportunity to explore a topic of interest beyond those covered formally by the School's teaching.

Your learning on this unit

On completion of this Unit students should be able to:

1. Plan, negotiate, conduct and report on a significant piece of original research to tight practical limitations.
2. Plan and undertake a research project of relevance to their discipline and demonstrate proficiency in chosen research methods (drawn from one or more of qualitative, quantitative, field-based, lab-based or modelling methods).
3. Produce report and defend written and oral arguments with confidence in small group settings.

The following transferable skills are developed in this Unit:

• self-assessment and assessment of work of others
• critical thinking
• library and data-base searches
• bibliographic referencing and the academic presentational conventions and standards
• debating skills
• negotiating skills
• specification of research problem
• undertaking of original research
• effective essay writing
• report writing
• time management
• oral presentations
• awareness of acquisition of personal/transferable skills.

How you will learn

The unit will be taught through a blended combination of online and in-person teaching, including

• independent study supported by guidance from dissertation supervisor
• introductory guidance materials
• synchronous group workshops, seminars, tutorials and/or office hours

How you will be assessed

10,000 word Project Report 100%

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. GEOG30001).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.