Dissertation - GIS & Society (P01516)

? Credit Points : 100 ? SCQF Level : 11 ? Acronym : GEO-P-GISD

The dissertation is a substantial piece of research work which both reinforces the skills learned in the taught component of the course and provides a genuine opportunity to undertake new and valuable research. The dissertation takes two parts, a research paper and a technical report. Two supervisors from the MSc teaching staff are allocated along with any external supervisors, depending on topic.

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : Course eligible for Postgraduate Students only

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Postgraduate Courses (School of GeoSciences), (School of GeoSciences, Schedule N)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : Postgraduate

? Delivery Period : Full Year (Blocks 1-4)

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

The outcomes given are specifically what a student can learn from the core courses of the taught element of the programme, and the dissertation. Optional courses allow students to learn more in related areas.

- Understand the range of methods used to store and analyse spatial and attribute data in the context of geographical information systems
- Understand the concept of database management and its implications
- Critically review available GIS technologies, assessing their merits and shortcomings
- Predict future developments and understand the implications of standardisation efforts
- Be aware of a range of applications of GIS and Society,
- Develop intellectual skills in critical analysis and synthesis of information to support research themes.
- Locate, read and summarise relevant literature, from both traditional and electronic media, to extend your understanding of the topic
- Develop reasoned arguments, firmly grounded in the available literature
- Generate new knowledge through experimentation or interpretation of previous studies.
- Plan and write assignments, within the specified parameters and to a professional standard
- Take responsibility for your own learning through reading and the preparation of assignments, and reflect upon your learning experience
- Develop transferable skills in written and verbal communication, group and team work, computing, programming and numeracy, and time and project management