Undergraduate Course: Dissertation in Earth Science and Physical Geography (EASC10138)
Course Outline
| School | School of Geosciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| 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 main aim of the dissertation is to train students as scientists. Students will undertake an independent research project of their own design on a geology and/or physical geography topic. Students will collect and analyse primary data, develop professional level insight and interpretations, and present these in a comprehensive report. |
| Course description |
Course Description
The main aim of the dissertation is to train students as scientists.
During the dissertation, students will:
- develop and design their own research project;
- define a research question or a scientific hypothesis that they would like to test;
- search for literature and gather information on the topic that they are interested in;
- define a strategy for data collection and analysis;
- collect and analyse original data rigorously;
- think and work autonomously;
- stimulate scientific discussions with their supervisor; and
- communicate their findings via talks (which will be scheduled during the 4th year) and a final report which will be assessed.
|
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Course Delivery Information
|
| Academic year 2026/27, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
|
Quota: 50 |
| Course Start |
Full Year |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
400
(
Lecture Hours 1,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 15,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 8,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
376 )
|
| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| Additional Information (Assessment) |
100% coursework (dissertation)«br /»
«br /»
|
| Feedback |
Feedback is provided in the following ways:
3rd-year students will receive feedback on their proposals: peer review interviews in February. In addition, their advisors will give a mark and provide detailed feedback on their research proposal to be submitted in mid-March.
4th-year students will receive feedback on their dissertation work, both oral and written:
a) Dissertation workshop in October (short presentations).
b) Dissertation Conference in the second half of Semester 1 (10-minute oral presentations attended by peers and staff).
c) proof-reading of 1500 words from the dissertation by their advisor |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Complete a defined project of research which utilises skills, techniques and expertise encompassed within the School of GeoSciences.
- Critically identify and analyse complex problems which arise during their research and demonstrate some originality and creativity in dealing with professional-level issues.
- Review existing research of relevance.
- Define a strategy for data collection and analysis.
- Define a strategy for evaluating and interpreting the numerical data produced.
|
Reading List
Kneale, P. (2011) "Study skills for Geography, Earth and Environmental Science students". Hodder Education. ISBN: 978-1444120967.
Walliman, N. (2004) "Your undergraduate dissertation". London: Sage. ISBN: 978-0761941408 |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Ability to develop and design a research project.
Ability to formulate a research question or scientific hypothesis.
Ability to search for literature and gather information on a given topic.
Ability to define a strategy for data collection and analysis.
Ability to collect and analyse original data rigorously.
Ability to think and work autonomously.
Ability to stimulate scientific discussions.
Ability to communicate findings via talks and reports. |
| Keywords | Dissertation,Geology,Physical Geography,Research,Project |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Andrew Hein
Tel: (0131 6)50 9140
Email: Andy.Hein@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Rebecca Steele
Tel:
Email: Rebecca.Steele@ed.ac.uk |
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