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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2016/2017

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Geosciences : Postgraduate Courses (School of GeoSciences)

Postgraduate Course: Dissertation in Sustainable Plant Health (PGGE11206)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Geosciences CollegeCollege of Science and Engineering
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate)
Course typeDissertation AvailabilityNot available to visiting students
SCQF Credits60 ECTS Credits30
SummaryThe purpose of the dissertation is to allow students to focus on an aspect relevant to the Sustainable Plant Health degree programme and by completing a piece of research and presenting it in dissertation form to enhance their knowledge and skills to a professional level in the discipline.
Course description Each student will conduct an individual project on a subject chosen in conjunction with the course organiser and a prospective supervisor. It may take the form of a scientific experiment, a literature review, a management plan or any other exercise approved by the programme director and examination board.

The course provides an opportunity for students to develop and demonstrate their investigative and analytical abilities within the field of sustainable plant health.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Additional Costs Some costs are covered by the APCs, costs confirmed by Supervisor, where applicable
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2016/17, Not available to visiting students (SS1) Quota:  None
Course Start Full Year
Course Start Date 19/09/2016
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 600 ( Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 12, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 588 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) Completion of a 15,000 to 20,000 word dissertation as outlined in the Programme Handbook.
Feedback Not entered
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Analysis: critical analysis and synthesis of information to support research themes. Reviewing existing knowledge based on reports from previous studies
  2. Execution: generating new knowledge to through experimentation or interpretation of previous studies. Planning, completion and reporting on investigations. Collecting, recording and analysing data
  3. Communication: production of scientific report (dissertation) including appropriate referencing. Written and verbal communication skills.
  4. Professional competencies: using the library and internet as sources of information. Computer & numeracy skills. Time management and organisational skills
Reading List
Additional Reading
BARRASS, R. (2006). Students Must Write: a guide to better writing for scientists, engineers amd students (3rd Edn). Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge. [808.066 Bar]

BREACH, M. (2009). Dissertation Writing for Engineers and Scientists. Harlow, Essex: Pearson Education Ltd. [808.0665 Bre]

BRISCOE, M.H. (1996). Preparing scientific illustrations. 2nd Edn. Springer-Verlag, New York. [808.0665 Bri]

BUZANT, T. & BUZANT, B. (2010). The Mind Map Book: unlock your creativity, boost your memory, change your life. Harlow, Essex: Pearson Education Ltd. 217pp.

CREME, P & Lea, M.R. (2008). Writing at University: a guide for students (3rd Edn). Maidenhead, Berks: Open University Press. [808.042 Cre]

KATZ, M.J. (2006). From Research to Manuscript: a guide to scientific writing. Dordrecht, NL: Springer. [808.0665 Kat]

KIRKMAN, J. (2005). Good Style for Science and Technology. New York: Routledge. [808.0666 Kir]

LEVIN, P. (2005). Excellent Dissertations! Student-Friendly Guides. Maidenhead, Berks.: The Open University Press. 122pp. [808.066378 Lev]

MATTHEWS, J.R., BOWEN, J.M. and MATTHEWS, R.W. (1996). Successful scientific writing : a step-by-step guide for the biological and medical sciences. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. [808.0665 Mat]

McMILLAN, K., & WEYERS, J. (2010). How to Write Dissertations and Project Reports. Harlow, Essex: Pearson education Ltd. [808.066378 McM]

MURRAY, R. (2006). How to Write a Thesis. 2nd Edn. Maidenhead, Berks.: The Open University Press. 301pp. [808.066 Mur]

PEARS, R. & SHIELDS, G. (2005). Cite Them Right: the essential referencing guide. Durham: Pear Tree Books. 102pp. [808.02 Pea]

SCIENTIFIC UNITS

JERRARD, H. G. & McNEIL, D. B. (1980). A dictionary of Scientific Units. 4th Edition, New York: Chapman & Hall. 212pp. [503 Jer. Reference Section]
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Evaluation and critical appraisal of data and other scientific information.
Synthesis of information from a variety of sources.
Numerical skills and competence with data analysis and interpretation.
Scientific communication skills, including writing and data presentation.
Time management and organisational skills.
KeywordsPlant health,plant pathology,pest,weed,disease control and regulation,sustainable development
Contacts
Course organiserDr Mark Hocart
Tel: 0131 535 4084
Email: mark.hocart@sruc.ac.uk
Course secretaryMrs Elspeth Martin
Tel: 0131 535 4198
Email: Elspeth.Martin@sruc.ac.uk
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