SD4297 Dissertation in Sustainable Development

Academic year

2025 to 2026 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 10

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Available only to Sustainable Development Senior Honours students.

Planned timetable

Independent Study with Supervisions

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr Q He

Dr Q He
This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr Qiong He

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This dissertation builds on 3000-level research methods training and will demonstrate the importance of an interdisciplinary approach to researching key questions of sustainable development. This independent research will involve the review of relevant literature, the application of rigorous methodologies, the collection of data as well as the appropriate analysis and interpretation of data. A final dissertation of not more than 10,000 words will comprise the primary mode of assessment but students will also participate in the Senior Honours Research Conference at which all students will present their work to members of the school. To support this learning students will be supervised by a member of staff and collective workshops on relevant skills such as approaches to scientific writing, and analysing and presenting data will also be offered. Students will also be invited to attend a dissertation away day at the beginning of the semester.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE SD3101 AND TAKE {AT LEAST 10 CREDITS FROM MODULE LIST GG3206-GG3212) OR FOR JOINT HONOURS STUDENTS ANOTHER METHODS MODULE AS APPROVED BY HONOURS ADVISER

Assessment pattern

Coursework (10,000-word dissertation = 90%, oral or poster presentation a student research conference = 10%) = 100%

Re-assessment

10,000-word Dissertation = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

5x 1 hr group lectures, 1x 1 hr student conference, plus individual supervision.

Scheduled learning hours

10

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

290

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.