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2016/17 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue
GEOG5280M Dissertation for River Basin Dynamics and Management
60 creditsClass Size: 20
Module manager: Dr Paul Kay
Email: P.Kay@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2016/17
Module replaces
GEOG5950M DIssertation for CDMThis module is not approved as an Elective
Module summary
The dissertation is your opportunity to develop research in any area of river basin dynamics and management. You may decide to expand on work undertaken as part of your course, to study a problem that has interested you for some time or to research a new area of the subject altogether. Whatever you choose, it is vital that you develop a robust project—with a specific problem to investigate, rather than writing all there is to know about a subject.Objectives
To enable students to:1. Critically evaluate and synthesise physical geography literature.
2. Critically evaluate research methods and results in physical geography.
3. Write a concise research proposal that aims to effectively contribute to the literature through field data collection and analyses.
4. Design and undertake field data collection in an intellectually challenging field environment.
5. Practically test and apply contemporary skills and theories in physical geography.
6. Increase understanding through active participation (kinaesthetic approaches that extend visual and / or auditory reception)
7. Present scientific results in a professionally competent manner: a) as an oral presentation and b) in the style of an academic paper.
Learning outcomes
Awareness of relevant literature
Understanding of relevant literature
Critical engagement with literature
Suitability/coherence of research design
Appropriateness of techniques deployed
Skill in application of research techniques/methodology
Skill in analysis of results
Original research
Sustainability of conclusions drawn
Consciousness of limitations
Integration of results with extant literature
Professional written presentation structure and style
Syllabus
Introduction and briefing lecture (semester 1)
There are 2 pass to progress components
1. A dissertation proposal
2. Interim research paper
There are two assessment components to the dissertation module:
1. 3000 word critical review of the literature (20 %)
2. 8000 word research paper (80%)
both to be submitted in journal manuscript style
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Lecture | 1 | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| Seminar | 3 | 1.00 | 3.00 |
| Tutorial | 4 | 0.50 | 2.00 |
| Independent online learning hours | 594.00 | ||
| Private study hours | 0.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 6.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 600.00 | ||
Private study
Private study will comprise 144 hours formulating a research proposal and literature review, and 450 hours of analysis of results and written manuscript preparation.Opportunities for Formative Feedback
Ad hoc feedback at supervisory meetings (also by email)Formative feedback on literature review
Formative feedback on dissertation proposal and interim research report.
Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Essay or Dissertation | Academic style paper (8000 words) Due 1st September 2014 | 80.00 |
| Literature Review | 3000 words due in Early June | 20.00 |
| Research Proposal | Pass to progress dissertation proposal due in April -1500 words | 0.00 |
| Report | Pass to progress interim research report - 1500 words due in August | 0.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100.00 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Reading list
There is no reading list for this moduleLast updated: 19/04/2016
Browse Other Catalogues
- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
- Undergraduate programme catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
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