This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.
Undergraduate Handbook 2006-2007 (archived)
Module ENSS3192: ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES DISSERTATION
Department: Geography (Environmental Sciences)
ENSS3192: ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES DISSERTATION
| Type | Level | Credits | Availability | Module Cap | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tied | 3 | 40 | Available in 2006/2007 | None. | Durham |
Tied To
- F900: Environmental Management
- FF98: Geography, Environment and Development (see Undergraduate Handbook 2005-2006 for details)
- FFX8: Geography and Environmental Management (see Undergraduate Handbook 2005-2006 for details)
- L1F9: Environment and Development
Pre-requisites
- Completion of all Levels 1 and 2 modules in the Environmental Sciences programme.
Corequisites
- None.
Excluded Combinations
- None.
Aims
- To develop the student's ability to: study a chosen area of Environmental Sciences in depth.
- integrate knowledge and skills acquired in other parts of the course.
- design a work schedule and experiments to investigate a specified environmental problem.
- work independently.
- communicate an account of the work done in a logical and concise way, in written form.
Content
- It is anticipated that the first part of the project will involve a literature search in order to create a firm basis for the project report (dissertation), field and laboratory work as appropriate.
- The second part will essentially involve data analysis, writing up and preparation of a poster.
- The student will be required to produce a word-processed report based on the investigation.
- Many projects will involve a practical investigation and these will be based formally at UDSC, although involvement of regional expertise will be sought in the selection of project topics.
Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Knowledge
- On completion of the project modules the student should be able to: understand the fundamentals of the chosen topic.
- apply those fundamentals to the logical solution of the project under consideration.
- undertake a relevant scientific literature search to place the project in its proper context.
- demonstrate self-motivation.
- design and carry out laboratory or other investigations to address an environmental problem.
- submit a clear and concise project report.
Subject-specific Skills
Key Skills
Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module
- .
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
| Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total Hours | Attendance Monitored |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preparation and Reading | 400 | ||||
| Total | 400 |
Summative Assessment
| Component | Component Weighting | Element | Length/Duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Report/Dissertation | 85% | one report/dissertation of 6000 to 10000 words | 100% | ||
| Poster | 15% | poster presentation | 100% |
Formative Assessment
Outline of the proposed project to be submitted to the project supervisor for approval by a date to be specified in term 3 of year 2
Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods
and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative
assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress
procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be
required to leave the University.