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BSc Dissertation

Module description

This module offers you the opportunity to undertake your own independent and original piece of research and enable you to display your skills in tackling specific geographical issues in some depth. The essence of the work is that you are able to demonstrate your ability to undertake your own independent and original piece of research. The dissertation must be independent and original in all phases including design, data collection, data processing and analysis and data interpretation and project write-up.

GEO3321 is a core module which covers the execution and completion of a 45-credit dissertation in the BSc programme. It can be taken as an alternative to the 30-credit version (GEO3322).

Module aims - intentions of the module

The aims of the module are for you to develop:

• a knowledge of a specific geographical topic,
• an understanding of the challenges of empirical geographical research, and the ability to deal with
• practical research problems (e.g. collecting, manipulating and analysing data),
• skills in designing a project and linking its subject-matter to other bodies of geographical knowledge,
• skills in dealing with the complex inter-relationships of real-world processes,
• transferable skills in inter-personal communication, data collection and analysis, report writing, and effective time management.

By attending the timetabled sessions and completing the formatively and summatively assessed coursework in this module, you will develop your academic and professional skills. These include developing an ability to

• solve problems,
• develop your own research ideas with confidence,
• respond to novel and unfamiliar research problems,
• manage structure (task management, goal setting, developing strategies),
• manage your time effectively,
• learn how to write in a critical and evaluative manner, and
• work independently in an effective manner. 

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Explain in depth the nature of your chosen research problem and its relevance to the field(s) of study and to the relevant published literature
• 2. Identify, formulate, analyse and resolve research questions/problems appropriately, judge critically and evaluate evidence/previous research and provide a critical interpretation of data and text
• 3. Abstract and synthesise relevant information, assess the merits of different theories, concepts, explanations and policies
• 4. Describe your results and analyse them in terms of the original aims through demonstration of an appropriate approach to analysis and application of a rigorous pattern of experimental conception and/or data collection
• 5. Present substantive, relevant and realistic conclusions and indicate directions for future research in the area
• 6. Discuss critically the shortcomings of your research methods and defend your philosophy and methodology
• 7. Develop and sustain a reasoned argument
• 8. Demonstrate a high level of literacy, graphicacy, numeracy and conceptual sophistication

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 9. Plan, design and execute a piece of rigorous geographical research, including the production of a dissertation
• 10. Prepare effective maps and diagrams using a range of appropriate technologies
• 11. Employ appropriate technical methods for the analysis of spatial and environmental data
• 12. Employ where appropriate social science/geographical survey techniques for the collection and analysis of data
• 13. Collect, interpret, evaluate and combine different types of geographical evidence and information
• 14. Recognise the ethical issues involved in debates and enquiries (where applicable)

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 15. Plan and execute a piece of primary research
• 16. Undertake independent research effectively, responsibly and with consideration of ethical issues
• 17. Collect, manipulate, analyse geographical data, and communicate findings using numeric and computational techniques where applicable
• 18. Communicate research problems and ask relevant questions
• 19. Liaise effectively with public and private bodies where appropriate
• 20. Structure a major piece of research work, and present it competently and clearly (e.g. write coherently, create and use diagrams, figures, appendices using appropriate C&IT)
• 21. Work independently (i.e. personal motivation, decision making, awareness, responsibility, and management skills, including setting and work to deadlines)

Syllabus plan

This module follows on from activities undertaken in year 2 and over the summer vacation (before year 3), during which students produce a dissertation proposal and are assigned an advisor with whom they discuss this proposal. Data collection and technical analyses are carried out predominantly during term 1of year 3. A progress report is discussed in October and again in January. The dissertation is handed in at the end of term 2. Students asked to see you’re their advisor as and when necessary to discuss their work and to see other members of staff where appropriate

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

• Detailed advice and reading lists are provided in a Dissertation Handbook distributed in Term 2 of Year Two and available via ELE (https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=9330).

Key words search

Dissertation, independent research