Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE GSC5108

 
TITLE Dissertation

 
UM LEVEL 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course

 
MQF LEVEL 7

 
ECTS CREDITS 85

 
DEPARTMENT Geosciences

 
DESCRIPTION A programme of research, as agreed with the supervisor and the Panel of Supervision in various areas of Geosciences, including but not restricted to Atmospheric Science, Geophysics and Oceanography, which leads to the writing of a dissertation.

Study-unit Aims:

The aim of the dissertation is to investigate a particular topic within the Geosciences under the guidance of the supervisor, and carry out the necessary literature research, planning of research strategy, any necessary fieldwork, laboratory work, computational work, and analysis and discussion of results, and finally to present all results in a dissertation. The student will develop skills in carrying out a comprehensive literature search, planning his/her research, carrying out practical or computational work with a reasonable component of originality, and critically analyse and discuss the results.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:
- demonstrate a thorough understanding of the theoretical background of his/her chosen area of investigation;
- provide new insights and critical appraisal of his/her area of study;
- demonstrate a good understanding of the research methods available;
- demonstrate a familiarity with other ongoing research in the field.

2. Skills:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:
- identify a research problem and make a good appraisal of the feasibility of a given study;
- conduct a thorough literature search, and identify any past and ongoing international research about a given area of investigation;
- plan and carry out a strategy for research;
- critically analyse and discuss his/her research findings;
-present his/her research findings in a concise and comprehensible form;
-evaluate the strengths and limitations of his/her research and propose possible further studies.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

As agreed by the supervisor.

 
ADDITIONAL NOTES **September Assessment Session: Students who fail to obtain an overall pass mark will be re-examined in the Dissertation. However, the resit availability for the Oral Examination is at the discretion of the Board of Examiners.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Dissertation

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Dissertation and Oral Examination (See Add. Notes) See note below ** 100%
Note: Assessment due will vary according to the study-unit availability.

 
LECTURER/S

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit