Dissertation MSc in Environmental Monitoring, Modelling and Reconstruction

GEOG70000 Dissertation MSc in Environmental Monitoring, Modelling and Reconstruction 60 Postgraduate Taught Level 7 Claire Goulsbra Unit coordinator Geography 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Masters/Integrated Masters P4 ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 30.0 Students on all taught Masters Programmes within the School of Environment, Education and Development are required to submit a dissertation, on a topic approved by the programme director. Dissertations should contain an element of original research which may be achieved through reflection and reading as well as through the collection of primary or secondary data. They contribute a third of a programme’s assessment (60 credits of 180 for a Masters programme).Students are free to consider a wide range of topics, subject to approval on the basis of supervisory expertise of staff delivering the programme, the feasibility of the topic within the timescale of the programme, and the extent to which the topic supplements and extends knowledge gained from following the particular programme of study. Students on all taught Masters Programmes within the School of Environment, Education and Development are required to submit a dissertation, on a topic approved by the programme director. Dissertations should contain an element of original research which may be achieved through reflection and reading as well as through the collection of primary or secondary data. They contribute a third of a programme’s assessment (60 credits of 180 for a Masters programme).Students are free to consider a wide range of topics, subject to approval on the basis of supervisory expertise of staff delivering the programme, the feasibility of the topic within the timescale of the programme, and the extent to which the topic supplements and extends knowledge gained from following the particular programme of study. The unit aims to:<ul><li>provide students with an opportunity to plan, manage and conduct a programme of research on a topic related to their programme of studies;</li><li>further students’ knowledge of a relevant body of literature, and develop powers of critical reasoning;</li><li>allow students to seek new research findings which add to the existing body of knowledge on a particular subject area;</li><li>develop fully students’ knowledge of, and competence in, an appropriate range of research skills, including the development of a study hypothesis, an appreciation of the research methodology and analytical techniques to be utilised, the undertaking of a specific research study, the synthesis and evaluation of findings, and a clear statement of conclusions and recommendations;</li><li>develop students’ writing, presentation and bibliographic skills; and</li><li>develop students’ experience of developing and managing a specific programme of work through to final submission.</li></ul> Employability skills development is being supported within the unit through ILOs PS1 (Plan and execute independent assignments), PS2 (Use library, electronic and online resources to research and prepare for assignments), PS4 (Utilise digital resources to manage and analyse qualitative and/or quantitative data in the context of a major research project), TS1 (Gather and synthesise research evidence), TS2 (Use word processing software and the internet to research and prepare written assignments), TS3 (Use self-management strategies (e.g. time planning) to co-ordinate a major research project), TS4 (Use written communication skills to communicate ideas), and TS5 (Produce objective reports of analytical results and their interpretation).Digital skills development is being supported within the unit through ILOs PS2 (Use library, electronic and online resources to research and prepare for assignments), PS5 (Utilise digital resources to manage and analyse qualitative and/or quantitative data in the context of a major research project), and TS2 (Use word processing software and the internet to research and prepare written assignments). <ul><li>Work consistently on a topic of their choosing over an extended period of time to produce an in-depth academic enquiry.</li><li>Explain and apply relevant theories, principles and techniques of a specific topic area within the realm of environmental monitoring, modelling and/or reconstruction. </li><li>Identify and explain different research methods, methodologies and analytical approaches through conducting a major research project.</li></ul> <ul><li>Develop a reasoned, balanced, objective argument.</li><li>Integrate and synthesise evidence of different types and/or from different sources, and abstract and synthesise information.</li></ul> <ul><li>Plan and execute an independent assignment.</li><li>Use library, electronic and online resources to research and prepare for the assignment.</li><li>Use the Harvard referencing system appropriately in a major research report.</li><li>Utilise digital resources to manage and analyse data in the context of a major research project.</li></ul> <ul><li>Gather and synthesise research evidence.</li><li>Use word processing software and the internet to research and prepare written assignments.</li><li>Use self-management strategies (e.g. time planning) to co-ordinate a major research project.</li><li>Use written communication skills to communicate ideas.</li><li>Produce objective reports of analytical results and their interpretation.</li></ul> Students will be supported in their preparation for the dissertation through GEOG60662 Dissertation Support.Students will be allocated an individual dissertation supervisor during semester 2, with whom they will have individual supervision meetings. Dissertation supervisors will offer feedback on an outline of students’ dissertation project, give advice on ethical approval processes where appropriate, and provide feedback on one draft chapter of the dissertation. 4 Dissertation 100% Formative Assessment TaskDraft chapter. 2,000 words (feeds into the summative assessment word count). Feedback via the VLE, within 15 working days of submission. Expected outcome: Allows students to improve their work before the final dissertation submission. Summative Assessment TaskDissertation. 9,000 words. Feedback is provided by the supervisor and another internal examiner via the University’s VLE. Feedback will be released to students following the final exam board. 100% weighting. N Montello, D., & Sutton, P. (2012). An introduction to scientific research methods in geography and environmental studies. Sage.Parsons, T., & Knight, P. G. (2015). How to do your dissertation in geography and related disciplines. Routledge.Thomas, R. (2019). Turn Your Literature Review Into An Argument: Little Quick Fix. 0 0 600 Private study: 600 hours.The units supporting the dissertation incorporate diverse course unit reading lists. Students have the choice of carrying out field or lab work, or doing desk-based work using secondary datasets, with no differences in student attainment between these approaches.