| 
 Undergraduate Course: Dissertation in Agriculture and Food Security (VETS10043)
Course Outline
| School | Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies | College | College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine |  
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) |  
| Course type | Dissertation | Availability | Not available to visiting students |  
| SCQF Credits | 40 | ECTS Credits | 20 |  
 
| Summary | The dissertation course is designed to further develop the student's analytical skills and ability to generate and/or utilise scientific, policy, business, ethical or legal evidence, data or theory relevant to agrifood, environmental and associated domains. The dissertation project is designed to further develop the student's understanding of the processes and planning involved in undertaking research, evidence gathering and synthesis, and to develop their analytical, written and oral communication skills. |  
| Course description | Students can choose to carry out an experimental or desk-based research project, strategic policy or business planning exercise. Depending on the format this can include: analysis of published literature; a research proposal; experimental design (where appropriate), data collection and synthesis, statistical analysis and interpretation; ethical analysis and interpretation; a review of evidence to develop policy, together with a policy position paper; a business plan in support of a new agri-food business, innovation or product; or breakdown of legislation, case studies and interpretation, or similar projects approved by the Course Organisers. The results will be presented in the format of a dissertation, or a paper or similar manuscript  in the style of publications in the field. 
 |  
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |  
Learning Outcomes 
| On completion of this course, the student will be able to: 
        Demonstrate their ability to plan and organise an experiment or study, policy or business planning exercise, and use appropriate analytical techniquesDemonstrate the use of suitable skills to conduct the studyIdentify ethical and procedural concerns and address themCritically analyse their findings and report them using appropriate forms of communication and narrative.Communicate using oral and written skills |  
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills | Graduate attribute mindsets: Enquiry and lifelong learning
 Aspiration and personal development
 Outlook and engagement
 
 Graduate attribute skill groups
 Research and enquiry
 Personal and intellectual autonomy
 Personal effectiveness
 Communication
 
 |  
| Keywords | Research analysis,review,synthesis,design,methodology,professional,vocational,business,policy |  
Contacts 
| Course organiser | Dr Jonathan Hillier Tel:
 Email: Jonathan.Hillier@ed.ac.uk
 | Course secretary | Mr Gordon Littlejohn Tel: (0131 6)51 7454
 Email: Gordon.Littlejohn@ed.ac.uk
 |  |  |