University of St Andrews

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 30

ECTS credits : 15

Level : SCQF level 10

Semester: 2

Availability restrictions: Available only to final year Honours students in Geography (Single and Joint)

Planned timetable: Not Applicable

The research dissertation is the culmination of the of the Geography Degree. It is a significant project that allows students to draw together their learning from across modules. It provides students with the opportunity to design and undertake an independent, original piece of empirical research under the supervision of a member of staff. Students will receive one-on-one supervision from staff. A series of pre-recorded support lectures cover common topics such as literature reviews, data presentation, structuring conclusions thus allowing students to tailor their progress to the demands of fieldwork. The dissertation will be no more than 10,000 words.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisite(s): At least 10 credits from (GG3206-GG3210). Before taking this module you must pass GG3205

Anti-requisite(s): You cannot take this module if you pass GG4298 or take GG4298 and pass GG4297 or take GG4297

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact: 2x 1 hr group lectures. 8 x 1 hr individual supervisions.

Scheduled learning hours: 10

Guided independent study hours: 300

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: 100% continious assessment. 10,000 word dissertation.


Re-assessment: 100% continious assessment, Resubmission of revised dissertation plus viva by HOS and DOT.

Personnel

Module coordinator: Dr A C K Brown
Module teaching staff: Dr Antje Brown
Module coordinator email ackb@st-andrews.ac.uk

Intended learning outcomes

• Displayed mastery of a complex and specialised area of knowledge.
• Demonstrated critical and analytical assessment of a chosen topic area and it's relation to the broader sub-disciplinary, disciplinary and or interdisciplinary fields of enquiry.
• Identify and critique research foci, search literature, and design research studies.
• Provide advanced level, critical data analysis and a considered interpretation of results.
• Display the ability to bring research ideas, enquiry and analysis into synthesis in a well-constructed, coherent and critical written dissertation.
• Summarise and present research finding in a professional written format.