School of Physical and Geographical Sciences  
 
 
GEG-30008 Geography (Single) Dissertation - ISP  
Co-ordinator: Dr Lisa Lau    Room: WSF22, Tel:33613  
Teaching Team: Dr Peter  Knight, Mr Keith  Mason Dr Richard  Waller Dr Zoe Robinson Mrs Stephanie  Everill Dr Lisa  Lau Dr Katie  Szkornik Dr Deirdre  McKay Prof Clare  Holdsworth Dr Alix  Cage, Dr Paul  Simpson, Mrs Antonia  Law,  Simon  Haslett,  Darren  Smith  
Lecture Time: See Timetable...  
Level: 3 Credits: 15 Study Hours: 150  
School Office:
 
 
 
Programme/Approved Electives for
None
Available as a Free Standing Elective
No
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for this module
Barred Combinations
Not applicable
Description

The geography dissertation is a research project on a geographical topic of the student&©s choice. It may be
based on either primary data or secondary sources, and should demonstrate competence in dealing with
geographical data or source material appropriate to the topic. The dissertation provides an opportunity for
students to put into practice a wide range of skills and knowledge learned during their degree programme.
Students are given a free choice of topic, and are allocated to an adviser with whom to discuss research
strategy, analysis of the results and presentation of the work. The single dissertation is a substantial project, typically 5-6,000 words long, with a 6,000 word limit.
Aims
The aims of this module are to:

  • Give students the opportunity to carry out an original and independent research project using appropriate literature, data sources and methodologies
  • More specifically the objectives involve:
    Designing and conducting an original line of research into a topic of the student's own choice.
    Undertaking a focused literature review.
    Collating, synthesising and analysing appropriate data.
    Presenting a developed and consistent set of arguments
    Producing a cogent, well illustrated dissertation based upon coherent thinking and application of ideas
    Training students to undertake research responsibly and safely.
Intended Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module, successful students will be able to:
  • Choose and narrow a specific research topic/problem; synthesise and evaluate a selection of key concepts, conflicting and complementary debates and research publications in geography; demonstrate critical thinking
  • Develop and present in written form a sustained and reasoned argument to assess contrasting Geographical theories or explanations
  • Devise a research strategy to tackle a research problem;
  • Safely collect and analyse original data or conduct original analysis on data drawn from diverse existing sources
  • Demonstrate the ability to write a substantial report using sustained argument and effective presentation.
Study hours
150 hours guided independent research
Description of Module Assessment
001: Dissertation weighted 100%
6000 words maximum
Version: (1.06B) Updated: 03/Mar/2013

This document is the definitive current source of information about this module and supersedes any other information.