NES8002 : Research Dissertation Project
NES8002 : Research Dissertation Project
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Dr Martin Edwards
- Other Staff: Professor Philip McGowan, Dr Hannah Davis
- Owning School: Natural and Environmental Sciences
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 3 Credit Value: | 60 |
| ECTS Credits: | 30.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Pre-requisite
Modules you must have done previously to study this module
Pre Requisite Comment
N/A
Co-Requisite
Modules you need to take at the same time
Co Requisite Comment
N/A
Aims
The aim of this module is for the student to complete an independent research project in an area directly related to their degree. These projects will enable students to undertake an in depth research project where the student can show their research, analytical, interpretive, critical and design skills. Some projects may be a group project where a team of students will work together on different aspects of a single problem. In these cases, the students will work together to gather information, but each report must be unique and be focused on an individual’s own data. Data from other students may be used to inform the wider aspects of the research but must not be central to the submitting student’s work.
Outline Of Syllabus
The student will either select a project from a list of titles provided by the Degree Programme Director (DPD) or they will work with their DPD or a nominated project coordinator during semester 1 to develop an appropriate project for their discipline. In each case the project will enable students to undertake an in depth research project where the student can show their research, analytical, interpretive, critical and design skills.
In trimester 3 (and earlier if needed and student workload allows) the student will undertake an individual research project under the supervision of the project supervisor (or appropriate deputy). This project will answer a specific research question and test the student’s ability to advance their knowledge and research skills in this subject.
The student will present their project in an oral presentation and produce a research paper based on their research in the format of a high quality peer-reviewed journal appropriate for their research.
Learning Outcomes
Intended Knowledge Outcomes
On completion of this module the students will have undertaken a significant piece of individual research in their subject specialism. They will have gained significant expertise in their field of research through literature review, experimental design, scientific investigation and data analysis. They will have synthesised this information in to research paper in the format most appropriate to a named high quality journal in their field.
Intended Skill Outcomes
Hypothesis design, experimental design, experimental analysis, field/ laboratory work (where appropriate), team work (where appropriate), data analysis, critical appraisal of data, health and safety, scientific writing, presentation skills
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 20:00 | 20:00 | Literature review and project planning |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 15:00 | 15:00 | Oral presentation (including preparation) |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 120:00 | 120:00 | Dissertation writing |
| Guided Independent Study | Project work | 1 | 262:00 | 262:00 | Research leading to dissertation |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 170:00 | 170:00 | Includes background reading and reading notes for a full understanding of material. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Dissertation/project related supervision | 12 | 1:00 | 12:00 | Synchronous PiP or online meetings with supervisory team and client student led/organised |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Module talk | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | Synchronous online introduction to module/reminder |
| Total | 600:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The students practise and develop their discipline related skills and knowledge, and their generic skills, through independent study of an individual research project. They gain the skills and knowledge delivered by the module by “learning through doing” as they undertake the project. They are supported by one or more academic supervisors who advise on experimental methodology and result interpretation.
Reading Lists
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Presentation | 15 | 3 | A | 10 | 10 minute project presentation |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dissertation | 3 | M | 90 | Approx. 7000 words, to be written in the style of the most appropriate high quality journal for the subject |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The aim of the assessment is to test the student’s ability to design a research project to answer a specific research question, to undertake and report that investigation and to present the information both to an audience in the form of project presentation and a journal paper.
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- NES8002's Timetable
Past Exam Papers
- Exam Papers Online : www.ncl.ac.uk/exam.papers/
- NES8002's past Exam Papers
General Notes
N/A
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Disclaimer
The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2025 academic year.
In accordance with University Terms and Conditions, the University makes all reasonable efforts to deliver the modules as described.
Modules may be amended on an annual basis to take account of changing staff expertise, developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, staffing changes, and student feedback. Module information for the 2026/27 entry will be published here in early-April 2026. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.