KE7055 - Geography and Natural Sciences Dissertation

Your project will take the format of an individual focussed investigation using computational, laboratory methodologies, or critical literature review approaches or maybe a combination of these approaches. There is a strong emphasis upon your own independent study, with the support and guidance of academic tutor[s]. To this end, you will learn on this module through active research, encouraged through co-working with staff. A significant part of the learning on this module will be in your own time through independent learning, but you will also participate in seminars and supervisory meetings to support your learning. You will be expected to take ownership of your own learning and through a process of self-reflection on your own needs, skills and abilities, seek the necessary guidance and personal development required to successfully complete your research project. You will work with a dissertation supervisor who will provide you with specialist guidance on your research project. As an integral part of the module, you are expected to maintain regular contact with your supervisor and to take full responsibility for the management of your research project. If you are using laboratory techniques, specialist equipment or bespoke IT software, staff (technical and academic) will guide you in learning their use although you will be responsible for their application. By applying what you have learnt and by engaging in the process of research itself you will become more self-sufficient as the year progresses and will further develop the key employability skills of time-management, the retrieval and critical application of relevant knowledge and information, effective communication, problem solving and analysis, and the ability to make informed decisions.

At the outset of the module, you will be allocated a research supervisor whose research interests are aligned to your own. In a series of one-to-one or small group meetings, you will discuss research ideas with them, and they will guide you in a literature survey that will establish a strong understanding of the current state of your chosen research field and a methodological basis for your study. They will provide feedback on your experimental approach ahead of your proposal submission and provide guidance to ensure all aspects of research governance are considered and recorded. Your tutor and members of our technical and research staff will provide training in necessary techniques and complex data analyses. Your tutor(s) will provide rich, structured feedback on your proposal and report documents before their final submission for summative assessment.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:

MLO1: Conceptualise, theorise and undertake research which addresses complex issues and which contributes to the creation of new knowledge/understanding and/or applications to practice within the discipline.



Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:

MLO2: Demonstrate expertise in utilising acquired intellectual and practical skills to gather, analyse, synthesise and present complex data, in order to develop and execute an extended piece of original independent academic research, applying creative and innovative approaches where required. 

MLO3: Demonstrate effective communication of research in scholarly written, verbal and visual forms, and to a variety of audiences, evidencing effective organisation, initiative, and originality.



Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

MLO4: Review appropriate ethical, commercial, confidentiality, data protection and health and safety issues, as required by the nature of the chosen research project.

Summative assessment: At the end of semester 3 you will submit your dissertation (100%, 12,000 words) (MLO1; MLO2; MLO3; MLO4).



Formative assessment: Regular contact with your supervisor will also enable you to gain formative feedback to guide the development of your research project. You will also be required to review appropriate ethical, commercial, confidentiality, data protection and health and safety issues, as required by the nature of your chosen research project (MLO4). These will not be formally assessed, but you will receive feedback from your supervisor. You will receive ongoing written and verbal feedback from your supervisor throughout the research process, highlighting areas for improvement before the final submission of your dissertation. Written feedback will be provided on the research project. All projects are double marked in line with standard Departmental procedures.

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This research module represents the pinnacle of your Master’s level learning, providing you with the exciting opportunity to apply advanced research skills that you have developed throughout the course to undertake your own research on any topic that interests and motivates you within the field of contemporary Geography and Natural Sciences. It affords you the opportunity to apply and extend your portfolio of skills and techniques to either solve or clarify real world issues or to develop innovations to drive progress in industrial, healthcare, or judicial settings. Under the guidance of an academic tutor, you will design and deliver a research programme with free access to the Departments state-of-the-art facilities, including computing resources and access to laboratories.  Ultimately this is an independent research project, but you will work closely with expert academic and technical staff, who will provide you with specialist guidance on your research project. They will guide you in learning a range of laboratory techniques, specialist equipment and/or bespoke software where required. You will further develop key employability skills of time-management, retrieval and critical application of relevant knowledge and information, effective communication, problem solving and analysis, and the ability to make informed decisions, all whilst working on a topic of your choice that we hope keeps you motivated and inspired to achieve the very best you can.