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Dissertation/Research Project

Module description

The MSc Dissertation/Research Project is the final step of the MSc in which you have to prepare a dissertation using the knowledge and skills acquired in the MSc about a material or research line of your personal convenience. Possible topics for the MSc Dissertation/Research Project include scientific research in any of the subjects being taught on the MSc, ongoing or de novo Island Biodiversity Conservation Projects, Island Biodiversity data collection and analysis or comprehensive literature reviews.

The election of the MSc Dissertation/Research Project topic and supervisor(s) should be the result of an agreement between student and supervisor. The MSc Dissertation/Research Project will be defended through a non-public viva examination. The criteria for the MSc Dissertation/Research Project evaluation will be clearly stated in the MSc handbook, and they will include at least the following items:

• The originality of the research
• The degree of difficulty of the field-work and lab-work carried out
• The robustness of the methodological approach
• The quality of the written dissertation
• The quality of the oral presentation
• The arguments used in its defence.

Once you have passed your viva examination, the MSc Academic Committee will organise a public one-day symposium where all students will carry out an oral presentation of their MSc dissertations. This event will be broadcasted by live streamed online, so that your families and friends can follow from home. These videos will be uploaded and stored in the MSc webpage to make them available for consultation of future MSc student candidates.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module aims to teach you to carry out independent research for the purpose of your dissertation literature review and final report. In particular, this module aims to teach you to apply the various theories, methodologies and statistical programming learned across the taught modules, including the use of R studio and/or Geographical Information Systems (GIS), to design, collect and collate primary data and marshal this original research into an effective scientific study.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

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

• 1. Collect and analyse data, and use scientific information in addressing conservation problems
• 2. Describe in detail the fundamental principles underlying the Conservation of Island Biodiversity, both from the human and the biological perspectives
• 3. Apply these principles and skills to solve real-world conservation problems

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

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

• 4. Carry out research projects in biogeography, ecology, evolution and conservation biology of islands and archipelagos
• 5. Carry out quantitative techniques for evaluating the impact of human activities on populations, species, communities and ecosystems

ILO: Personal and key skills

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

• 6. Apply statistical and modelling skills to understand and interpret quantitative analyses
• 7. Demonstrate management skills, such as decision-making, problem definition, project design and evaluation, risk management, teamwork and coordination
• 8. Transfer techniques and solutions from one discipline to another

Syllabus plan

The election of the MSc thesis topic and supervisor(s) should be the result of an agreement between you and your supervisor. The MSc thesis will be defended through a non-public viva examination. The criteria for the MSc Thesis evaluation will be clearly stated in the MSc handbook, and they will include at least the following items:

• The originality of the research
• The degree of difficulty of the field-work and lab-work carried out
• The robustness of the methodological approach
• The quality of the written dissertation
• The quality of the oral presentation
• The arguments used in its defence

Once you have passed your viva examination, the MSc Academic Committee will organise a public one-day symposium where all the students will carry out an oral presentation of their MSc dissertations.

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 that are approved by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. If deferred, the format and timing of the re-assessment for each of the summative assessments is detailed in the table above ('Details of re-assessment'). The mark given for a deferred assessment 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 (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 50%) and the module cannot be condoned, you will be required to complete a re-assessment for each of the failed components on the module. The format and timing of the re-assessment for each of the summative assessments is detailed in the table above ('Details of re-assessment'). If you pass the module following re-assessment, your module mark will be capped at 50%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Key texts

• Ruxton, G.D. and Colegrave, N. (2006) Experimental Design for the Life Sciences. OUP. ISBN 01992 52327
• Barass, R (2002) Scientists Must Write: A Guide to Better Writing for Scientists, Engineers and Students

Key words search

Islands, biodiversity, conservation, ecology, biogeography, extinction, evasive evolution, climate change