Course Details in 2025/26 Session

Module Title	LI Dissertation Labs: theory and practice for Physical Geography and Environmental Science
School	School of Geog Earth & Env Sci
Department	Earth and Environ Sciences
Module Code	03 37133
Module Lead	John Round
Level	Intermediate Level
Credits	20
Semester	Semester 2
Pre-requisites	LC Contemporary Human Geography B - (03 33562) LC Environmental Research Frontiers A - (03 33577) LC Contemporary Human Geography A - (03 33575) LC Environmental Research Frontiers B - (03 33584)
Co-requisites
Restrictions	None
Contact Hours	Lecture-8 hours Tutorial-5 hours Practical Classes and workshops-8 hours Fieldwork-8 hours Guided independent study-171 hours Total: 200 hours
Exclusions
Description	The module will prepare students for their final year piece of independent research (i.e. dissertation). Geography students choose either a Human or Physical Geography Pathway depending upon the nature of their proposed research. The module will provide insights into contemporary emerging research challenges together with discussions focussed on research methodologies and data analysis (quantitative and qualitative) in addressing key thematic research issues. The module consists of a series of lectures and small group tutorials (Dissertation labs, quantitative data analysis techniques). The lectures provide guidance on research design, theoretical framing and methodological rigour whilst developing a research proposal. The quantitative data analysis element introduce key quantitative data analysis exercises in addressing contemporary geographical and environmental research issues. The research and quantitative data skills learned will help support the students to develop their independent research proposal as part of the small group dissertation lab sessions run by dissertation supervisors.
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module students should be able to: Identify the literature and conceptual framework that they will employ in their final year research project Know what is good practice in research design and sampling across different areas of Physical Geography and Environmental Science Appreciate the role of data analysis and the techniques available in contemporary physical geography and environmental science areas Identify the strengths and weaknesses of quantitative and data analysis techniques in physical geography and environmental sciences
Assessment	37133-01 : Group Poster Assigment : Coursework (25%) 37133-02 : Research Project Proposal : Coursework (75%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Assessment: 1. Group research poster on quantitative data analysis of topic area (25%) 2. A 2000 word Research Proposal with Hazard & Risk Assessment and Ethical Review forms (500 words) (75%) Reassessment: Resubmission of failed components.
Other
Reading List