Aims

To further develop the skills acquired in GEO1096: Geographical Study Skills, to focus specifically on preparing for the dissertation (GEO3099)

To complement and support GEO2137: Key Methods for Physical Geographers

To explore the discipline of physical geography, including its academic history and scientific framework

To enable students to develop a physical geography dissertation research proposal

To explore the links between key skills (those required for a degree) and transferable skills (those required for subsequent careers)

Outline Of Syllabus

Semester 1:

Introduction to Geo2127

Changing approaches to the study of geography

Approaching research in physical geography

The Scientific Method, and it’s application in Physical Geography research

Primary data collection in physical geography

Introduction to the physical geography laboratories

Using secondary data in physical geography

Thinking about your dissertation ideas

Semester 2:

Introducing your DRP

How to write a literature review

Developing a research question

Making your dissertation work for you

Identifying theories, concepts and models

Dissertation conference

Risk Assessments and Ethics

Identifying viable research methods

Individual meeting with mentor

The first steps with your dissertation

Individual meetings with mentor

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

This module is taught through a mixture of lectures, seminars, practicals and tutorials in order to meet the learning outcomes. The semester 1 lectures and related seminars and practicals enable students to develop a working knowledge of key ideas relevant to undertaking geographical research, whilst the semester 2 Lectures and tutorials introduce students to the process of developing geographical research and enables them to develop their own specific dissertation research proposals. This mix of teaching enables all components of independent research theory and practice to be introduced, and allows students the time and space to develop their own research proposals building on content from this and other stage 2 modules.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The first assessment assesses students’ knowledge of key geographical theories and concepts. This is a necessary set of knowledge to enable the Stage 3 Dissertation to be undertaken successfully. The second assessment – the Dissertation Research Proposal, assesses students’ knowledge, understanding and ability to plan the research process.