BSc Dissertation

Module title	BSc Dissertation
Module code	GEO3321
Academic year	2025/6
Credits	45
Module staff	Professor Andrew Nicholas (Convenor)

Duration: Term	1	2	3
Duration: Weeks	11	10

Number students taking module (anticipated)	50

Module description

This module offers you the opportunity to undertake your own independent and original piece of research and enables 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.

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 on the Monday of Week 10 of Term 2. Students are able to discuss their project during tutorials, at one-to-one meetings with their advisor, and during office hours in line with department policy.

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

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
11	439	0

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities	1	Introductory lecture
Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities	6	Group tutorials focusing on student-led issues such as data analysis and dissertation writing
Scheduled learning and teaching activities	3	Presentations to dissertation groups in Term 1 and Term 2
Scheduled learning and teaching activities	1	Three twenty-minute one-to-one meetings arranged in Term 1 and Term 2.
Guided Independent Study	439	Preparing progress reports and a presentation. Conducting research and writing a dissertation

Formative assessment

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Progress reports submitted at the beginning of Term 1 and Term 2	400 words	All	Oral and written

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
100	0	0

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Dissertation	100	10,000 words	All	Written

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

Original form of assessment	Form of re-assessment	ILOs re-assessed	Timescale for re-assessment
Dissertation	Dissertation (10000 words, 100%)	All	Referral/deferral period

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.

Key words search

Dissertation, independent research

Credit value	45
Module ECTS	22.5
Module pre-requisites	GEO2334 (Research Design in Physical Geography)
Module co-requisites	None
NQF level (module)	6
Available as distance learning?	No
Origin date	01/02/2011
Last revision date	05/03/2025