Postgraduate Course: Global Food Security and Nutrition Dissertation (VESC11236)
Course Outline
| School | Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies |
College | College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
| Course type | Dissertation |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 60 |
ECTS Credits | 30 |
| Summary | The dissertation course guides students through the process of designing an independent study, explore a food security and nutrition related topic in depth, and develop research and analytical skills in a particular area of research.
Students will develop their scientific writing and communication, project planning and implementation, and critical analysis skills.
The topic of the dissertation will be agreed upon with the supervisor and programme director, as will the format of the final dissertation report.
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| Course description |
The dissertation course will support students developing project design, planning, data collection and analysis, critical analysis and communications skills. By the end of the course the student will have in depth knowledge of a specific area of food security and nutrition related research, as well as applied research skills.
The format of the dissertation report will depend on the nature of the project. This will be agreed with the supervisor and programme director during the proposal phase. Dissertations can be in the form of a report or an academic paper, but other formats can be proposed.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2024/25, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Flexible |
| Course Start Date |
05/08/2024 |
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 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Dissertation: 90%
Dissertation presentation: 10%
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| Feedback |
Dissertation proposal: formative feedback from supervisors and peers,
Ethics assessment: formative feedback from ethics committee,
HandS: formative from HandS committee
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| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
| 1. Recognise the importance of planning and preparation required to undertake a written research project (empirical or desk-based) including consideration of the ethical issues relating the proposed research. 2. Develop and demonstrate a thorough understanding of the chosen subject area. 3. Demonstrate the ability to collate and critically assess/interpret data/literature. 4. Develop an ability to effectively communicate knowledge in a scientific manner (written and oral). 5. Provide recommendations based on research findings.
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Reading List
| The course reading list will be provided via the University's Resource List service. Additional support resources will be provided via the dissertation course on Learn, the students supervisor as well as identified by the student as relevant to their own area of study. |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Provide details of the Graduate Attributes and Skills provided by the course.
A. Research and Enquiry
Graduates of the University will be able to create new knowledge and opportunities for learning through the process of research and enquiry. This may be understood in terms of the following:
- be able to identify, define and analyse problems and identify or create processes to solve them
- be able to exercise critical judgment in creating new understanding
- be ready to ask key questions and exercise rational enquiry
- be able to critically assess existing understanding and the limitations of their own knowledge and recognise the need to regularly challenge all knowledge
- search for, evaluate and use information to develop their knowledge and understanding
- have an informed respect for the principles, methods, standards, values and boundaries of their discipline(s) and the capacity to question these
- understand economic, legal, ethical, social, cultural and environmental issues in the use of information
B. Personal and Intellectual Autonomy
Graduates of the University will be able to work independently and sustainably, in a way that is informed by openness, curiosity and a desire to meet new challenges. This may be understood in terms of the following:
- be independent learners who take responsibility for their own learning, and are committed to continuous reflection, self-evaluation and self-improvement
- be able to make decisions on the basis of rigorous and independent thought, taking into account ethical and professional issues
- be able to use collaboration and debate effectively to test, modify and strengthen their own views
- be intellectually curious and able to sustain intellectual interest
- be able to respond effectively to unfamiliar problems in unfamiliar contexts
C. Communication
Graduates of the University will recognise and value communication as the tool for negotiating and creating new understanding, collaborating with others, and furthering their own learning. This may be understood in terms of the following:
- make effective use of oral, written and visual means to critique, negotiate, create and communicate understanding
- use communication as a tool for collaborating and relating to others
- further their own learning through effective use of the full range of communication approaches
- seek and value open feedback to inform genuine self-awareness
- recognise the benefits of communicating with those beyond their immediate environments
- use effective communication to articulate their skills as identified through self-reflection
D. Personal Effectiveness
Graduates of the University will be able to effect change and be responsive to the situations and environments in which they operate. This may be understood in terms of the following:
- appreciate and use talents constructively, demonstrating self-discipline, motivation, adaptability, persistence and professionalism
- be able to manage risk while initiating and managing change
- be able to flexibly transfer their knowledge, learning, skills and abilities from one context to another
- understand social, cultural, global and environmental responsibilities and issues
- be able to work effectively with others, capitalising on their different thinking, experience and skills |
| Keywords | Food security,nutrition,agriculture |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Judith Okoth
Tel: (01316) 517300
Email: jokoth@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Ms Stephanie Easton
Tel:
Email: stephanie.easton@ed.ac.uk |
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