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Overview

Execution and written presentation of a suitable scientific project which is devised by the student and an individual academic supervisor and validated by the convenor and/or Programme Director. A suitable project entails a worthwhile scientific question, of direct relevance to the degree programme being undertaken, and established against the context of framework of current knowledge and concepts, that allows the formulation and testing of one or more hypotheses. This is expected to involve up to 11 months part-time work or 5 months full-time, broken down into appropriate tasks and allowing sufficient time for writing-up, including correction of the first draft after the comments of the supervisor are received.

1. You will carry out a research project that you have planned, and agreed, in consultation with a designated academic supervisor. A dissertation 'Handbook' acts as a a step-by-guide to the key stages of preparing a draft research proposal and literature review. This includes recommended reading from key texts, study guides, live content and Panopto resources developed by Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÒÅÆ×ÊÁÏ staff relating to experimental design, etc, and formative assessments. (45 hours)

2. The project can be any laboratory, glasshouse, field or desk-based study that is consistent with the degree programme being undertaken and which is validated by the supervisor and/or the Director of the programme. (140 hours)

3. The designated academic supervisor will normally give constructive feedback as required to aid with the design of the study, the collection and analysis of data, interpretation of the results and preparation of the written dissertation (the latter by reading, and commenting on, a draft). (15 hours)

You will be allocated a supervisor based on your preferred subject area and supervisor availability. Your supervisor will guide you with the development an appropriate project, which is likely to be based on your own interests. In all cases, you must obtain the agreement of their supervisor and module organiser that the topic proposed is appropriate at MSc level. A full dissertation proposal ethics review and risk assessment must be submitted before work on the dissertation commences; these must be signed off and approved by the dissertation supervisor. The student is responsible for completing and presenting the dissertation, but can expect support and guidance from their supervisor on the planning of experimental / survey work, data collection, data analysis and writing of the dissertation. The supervisor will provide such support in response to direct requests that you make. The expectation is that the student takes the initiative and contacts the supervisor as and when required. There is a Blackboard site containing a rich information resource that students can use to find information or request information. Student-student support and engagement is encouraged and facilitated.

Execution and written presentation of a suitable scientific project which is devised by the student and an individual academic supervisor and validated by the convenor and/or Programme Director. A suitable project entails a worthwhile scientific question, of direct relevance to the degree programme being undertaken, and established against the context of framework of current knowledge and concepts, that allows the formulation and testing of one or more hypotheses. This is expected to involve up to 12 months part-time work or 6 months full-time, broken down into appropriate tasks and allowing sufficient time for writing-up, including correction of the first draft after the comments of the supervisor are received.

1. Students individually carry out a research project that they have planned, and agreed, in consultation with a designated academic supervisor. A dissertation 'Handbook' guides students step-by-step through the stages of preparing a draft research proposal and literature review. This includes recommended reading from key texts, study guides, live content and Panopto resources developed by Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÒÅÆ×ÊÁÏ staff relating to experimental design, etc, and formative assessments.

2. The project can be any laboratory, field or desk-based study that is consistent with the degree programme being undertaken and which is validated by the supervisor and/or the Director of the programme.

3. Students will be allocated to supervisors based on students preferred subject area and supervisor availability. Supervisors will guide students to develop an appropriate project. Students may also suggest their own topic, but they must obtain the agreement of their supervisor and module convenor that the topic proposed is appropriate at MSc level. A full dissertation proposal ethics review and risk assessment must be submitted before work on the dissertation commences; these must be signed by the dissertation supervisor. The student is responsible for completing and presenting the dissertation but can expect support and guidance from their supervisor on the planning of experimental / survey work, data collection, data analysis and writing of the dissertation. The supervisor will provide such support in response to direct requests from the student, who should therefore take the initiative and contact the supervisor as required. Students will take the initiative to contact their supervisors to seek guidance. In some cases, joint visits to study sites may be necessary. There is a blackboard site containing a rich information resource that students can use to find information or request information, and which include a student mutual help facility.

Assessment Strategy

Threshold (pass) -The project will conform to the School and Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¹ÒÅÆ×ÊÁÏ requirements and will demonstrate that the student has an adequate knowledge of the area of study and of how their project fits within this field of study. Hypotheses should be formulated and an adequate, documented, attempt made to obtain data to test them. The objectives, a summary of current knowledge, methods adopted, results and discussion should all be adequately presented.

Good (merit) A dissertation that adds original information to an existing body of work. An introduction that states the objectives of the study and the hypotheses to be tested in it. A literature review that covers the fundamentals of the chosen topic. A clear description of the methods used to collect and analyse data / information. Clearly presented results. A discussion that shows understanding of the results and puts them into context. Satisfactory presentation: tables and figures correctly numbered and labelled; a complete set of references.

Excellent (distinction) A dissertation that deals with a potentially difficult topic on which relatively little work has been done. An introduction that shows originality in the choice of topic, states the objectives of the study and the hypotheses to be tested in it. A literature review showing excellent understanding and knowledge of the chosen topic. A clear description of the methods used to collect and analyse data / information. Clearly presented results. A discussion that shows understanding, much original thought, and makes imaginative suggestions about the possible applications of the findings and further areas of research. Excellent presentation: well written; tables and figures correctly numbered and labelled; a comprehensive set of references.

Learning Outcomes

• Analyse collected data using appropriate statistical tests / analyses, and present findings using appropriate tables and graphs with informative captions.

• Apply subject specific knowledge to develop a suitable plan of research, with consideration for the ethical implications of the proposed work.

• Communicate in writing, according to a defined format, the introduction, aims, methods, results and conclusions of the scientific research project.

• Critically appraise the strengths and weaknesses of the completed research project and its findings, by situating it within the broader literature, highlighting important advances achieved and future research questions identified.

• Demonstrate the ability to identify and frame a research question, research objectives/aims and, when relevant, formulate hypotheses and predictions suitable for dissertation research.

• Summarise, synthesise and critically evaluate literature relevant to the research project.