ESC-30144 - Module Specification
School of Life Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2025/26

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2025/26

The Dissertation modules provides you with the opportunity to conduct independent research on a topic of your own choice within your field of study. Guided by an academic advisor, you will establish research objectives, undertake fieldwork or data collection, and analyze your findings. This module emphasizes critical thinking, methodological rigor, and effective communication of results. Completing the dissertation allows you to demonstrate your expertise, contribute to subject knowledge, and prepare for professional careers or post-graduate study.
Along with the written dissertation, you will also present your research in the form of a research poster (with optional 3 minute oral pitch) at the Undergraduate Student Conference, developing key employability skills in summarising complex information and orally communicating data and outcomes to an audience.

The aims of the Dissertation module are:
1) to enable students to develop a detailed knowledge and understanding of key issues at the forefront of their discipline (or across disciplines) through carrying out an independent research project in an appropriate area of their choice;
2) to critically evaluate and apply appropriate concepts, methodologies and complex scientific (natural or social) issues using a range of primary and secondary information sources as appropriate;
3) to develop the skills necessary to exercise individual analysis, initiative and judgement on complex issues and be able to communicate these at an appropriate academic level via a written report and research poster.
The Dissertation module aims to provide students with training and one-to-one supervision in the following key areas of their dissertation project: how to carry out their literature review, how to modify or fine-tune their research proposal (written at FHEQ level 5) in light of their literature review, how to apply appropriate research methods to their specific topic and how to approach their research topic in an interdisciplinary way.
The module also aims to enhance students' confidence in their ability to communicate the results of their research in written form via a dissertation, and summarise and discuss their research through a research poster at the School of Life Sciences Undergraduate Student Conference.

Intended Learning Outcomes

demonstrate a systematic, detailed, coherent knowledge and critical understanding of a key issue/problem at the forefront of the discipline or across multiple disciplines: 1,2
apply own in-depth knowledge, skills and experience to an aspect of current discipline-appropriate research through the use of established analytical scientific methods, literature review, data collection and interpretation: 1,2
make critical and well-informed arguments and judgments on the issue studied, whilst appreciating the limits of current knowledge: 1,2
demonstrate critical awareness and consideration of research ethics throughout the research project through appropriate ethical approval and completion of appropriate risk assessments: 1
communicate effectively and persuasively the results of independent research in written form: 1
summarise complex data and outcomes, and present to an audience.: 2

Study hours

Active Learning hours:
- Dissertation workshops - 22 hours
- Meetings/training with dissertation advisor - approximately 12 hours
- 8 hours attendance at the Undergraduate Student Conference
Independent Study hours
- Independent project work (data generation and analysis, reading etc) - approximately 155 hours
- Writing the dissertation - 80 hrs
- Preparing the research poster and 3 minute oral pitch - 23 hrs

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment