Postgraduate Course: Dissertation - Environment & Development (PGGE11051)
Course Outline
| School | School of Geosciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
| Course type | Dissertation |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 60 |
ECTS Credits | 30 |
| Summary | The dissertation should be distinct from earlier assessed work by the greater depth of comprehension and criticism demonstrated. Equally, students are not expected to undertake the exhaustive scale of literature review or empirical work typical of a research degree. Rather, the dissertation is designed to provide an opportunity for students to undertake independent research on a topic of their own choice, employing appropriate research methodologies and involving theoretical and, potentially, empirical work developed through the coursework programme, and directed reading supported by expert supervision. It must have a clear focus with definable objectives and boundaries, achievable in the time and word length available. Its object is to provide the student with an opportunity for demonstrating his or her competence in the chosen area of study. |
| Course description |
The exact form of the dissertation will vary from case to case depending on the work done. It may take the form of a desk-based study, fieldwork, a social survey survey, a case study analysis, participant observation research or a similar exercise approved by the Programme Directors.
The student, in accordance with his/her own interests, normally proposes the research topic. Additionally, some staff in the School of Geo-Sciences may have particular research themes and topics that may be suitable for MSc dissertation collaboration - although students should be aware that this is rare. By early semester 2 you will have begun to formulate an idea of your research interests and by mid-Semester 2 to settle on a topic for your MSc dissertation and identify a potential dissertation supervisor. We encourage you to begin explore dissertation ideas in conversation with peers and to use your time in the initial semester to explore ideas and identify possible supervisors.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2022/23, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Full Year |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
600
(
Dissertation/Project Supervision Hours 10,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 12,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
578 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Dissertation
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| Feedback |
Not entered |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- run critical analysis and synthesis of information to support research themes
- plan, conduct and report on investigations
- collect, record and analyse data
- review existing knowledge based on reports from previous studies
- product of scientific reports including appropriate referencing
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Reading List
Clifford, N., French, S. and Valentine, G. (eds). 2010. Key Methods in Geography. SAGE: Los Angeles.
Law, J. 2004. After Method: Mess in Social Science Research. Routledge: London and New York.
Laws, S. et al. 2013. Research for Development: A Practical Guide. SAGE: London.
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | PGGE11051 |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Samantha Staddon
Tel:
Email: |
Course secretary | Ms Louisa King
Tel: (0131 6)50 2543
Email: |
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