2024/25 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

GEOG5160M Dissertation (GIScience)

60 creditsClass Size: 37

Module manager: Paul Norman
Email: P.D.Norman@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: 1 Mar to 31 Aug View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

Pre-requisite qualifications

Students will normally have completed the compulsory (semester 1) and optional (semester 2) elements of the programme before attempting this module.

This module is mutually exclusive with

GEOG5013M

Dissertation (GISc)

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

This dissertation module provides an opportunity to develop an individual programme of research over several months. Students may decide to expand on work/ideas covered as part of their programme or to select a new issue to explore. Students will work closely under the guidance of an allocated supervisor and are expected to complete an independent piece of academic work.

Objectives

On completion of this module, you will be able to:
1. Produce a concise research proposal for a project that aims to effectively contribute to the academic literature in your chosen field of geography.
2. Critically evaluate and synthesise relevant academic literature.
3. Critically apply and evaluate research methods and results.
4. Present scientific results in a professionally competent manner.

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:

1. Design and execute a sustained programme of original geographical research or technical development;
2. Identify and critically review the literature relevant to your chosen topic;
3. Identify and apply appropriate conceptual understanding and practical research skills necessary for the thorough and coherent exploration of their chosen topic;
4. Locate your own original investigations within wider current events and academic debates.


Skills Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the module, you will demonstrate the following skills learning outcomes:

5. ‘Work Ready Skills’ for ‘Problem solving & analytical skills’ by proposing and applying a suitable research design in line with your chosen topic, relevant to the broad field of geography;
6. ‘Technical Skills’ through experience in the selection and use of appropriate technical and spatial skills for geographical research;
7. ‘Digital Skills’ for ‘Critical Evaluation’ and ‘Enterprise Skills’ for ‘Planning and Mobilising Resources’ and ‘Information Searching’ through the experience of working with new datasets, likely involving sourcing, cleaning and processing/analysing;
8. ‘Academic Skills’ for the dissertation report thereby demonstrating ‘Critical thinking’, ‘Academic writing’, ‘Academic integrity’ and ‘Referencing’.

Syllabus

Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Supervision	5	1.00	5.00
Seminars	5	2.00	10.00
Private study hours			585.00
Total Contact hours			15.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			600.00

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Formative feedback will be provided via:
1. Feedback on the project proposals (research rationale, literature scoping and research design), likely in both written and oral format. Timings to be agreed between the student and supervisor.
2. The module leader will also provide more general support via email and Microsoft Teams (or equivalent) during the learning stages, in advance and prior to assessment, as required.
3. Discussion boards (e.g. Yammer, Padlet) will be monitored and students encouraged to post questions, comments regarding the research process etc. For this module, the discussion boards are important to develop a sense of community and promote peer support. Allocated supervisors will also be on hand to support students on subject-matter queries.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Assignment	Coursework	100.00
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 module

Last updated: 29/04/2024 16:14:37

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