Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

A1 - To undertake advanced research on an appropriate marine-related topic working largely alone, and to
present in a structured form the results of that research. The research takes the form of a research
project and involves a literature review and a computational study, an experimental investigation, or some
combination thereof.

A2 - To acquire knowledge in a specialised topic, possibly outside the scope of the taught modules.

Outline Of Syllabus

Supervision
The form of supervision will be agreed between module leader, student and identified potential supervisor, but may be in approximately the following form:
Selection of topic of study
Identifying an industrial collaborator
Writing a study plan
Literature review of study subject area
Project initiation
Project supervision
Analysis and interpretation of information
Draft review
Completion of review
Draft dissertation
Completion of dissertation

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

IKO1 - How to undertake a report on a research project
IKO2 - Specialised knowledge in the topic of the dissertation.

Intended Skill Outcomes

On successful completion of this course, students will develop the following subject specific and intellectual skills:

ISO1 - The ability to identify issues for research and to retrieve accurate relevant information both in paper
and digital formats.
ISO2 - Analytical skills in relation to the synthesis of information, the application of quantitative techniques
and the manipulation of data sets in a marine-related subject.
ISO3 - Students will be able to structure analytical and technical arguments.
ISO4 - Students will develop the ability to express the results of their research with clear and concise
arguments.
ISO5 - Students will be able to identify and order issues by relevance and importance
ISO6 - Students will be able to synthesize materials from diverse sources
ISO7 - Students will be able to develop critical judgement skills.
ISO8 - Students will be able to make reasoned choice between completing solutions or arguments.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The student should select a member of staff as a supervisor for their intended project who will help establish the scope and focus of the project.
The student should formally agree with the selected member of academic staff that they will act as their supervisor. The supervisor needs to sign both the initial project specification and literature review & project plan to confirm that they are willing to so.
The supervisor is also responsible for helping the student with all matters relating to the project and is the primary point of contact for all technical and project management issues.
Students are responsible for maintaining regular contact with their selected supervisors and to maintain a written record of their meetings that is subsequently appended to for the final report.
The project must in all cases be submitted by the stated date. In exceptional circumstances students may seek an extension for late submission after first discussing the reason with their supervisor and then seeking the agreement of the module leader. A PEC form is available by request from the school office.

Supervisory meetings will either be present in person or via an appropriate teleconference system.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The dissertation is intended to provide the students with an opportunity to carry out a substantial and largely independent piece of research. The examiners assess the ability of a student to produce a written research report which demonstrates the intended learning outcomes.

General Notes

N/A