GEG-30008 - Module Specification
School of Geography, Geology and the Environment
Faculty of Natural Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2020/21

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for this module

Barred Combinations

Not applicable

Description for 2020/21

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.

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

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment