Completion of the FdSc, Sustainability and Environmental Management, Completion of the prior literature review and methodology module and approval of a project proforma, including ethics and risk assessment sections.

Suitable computer that is able to access the WWW, the University servers/network and our Blackboard server. Library facilities as necessary

All required teaching and learning material is either housed or directly accessible from within Blackboard. You are expected to access other supporting texts and peer reviewed journals/ejournals, as appropriate, in relation to your dissertation topic.

Pre-dissertation work will be carried out in the prior module and integrated as tutorial time with the face-to-face and through workshops. Learning material and resources are housed within our virtual learning environment Blackboard. Work will be undertaken on an individual basis but at various points you will be expected to interact and share material with your dissertation advisor/supervisor and/or the dissertation module coordinator. Regular progress reporting will be key to the success of your project. At some point in your project you will be visited on-site by your module tutor, during which time you will be expected to discuss progress on your project.

This module will develop your skills in both research and technical writing. You will choose a sustainability/environment topic area in your workplace in conjunction with your award leader and/or dissertation module coordinator and dissertation advisor, research the relevant background (which will include literature researching as part of the prior module) and ancillary information necessary to produce a coherent and achievable project plan. You will execute the project whilst maintaining dialogue with your advisor/supervisor or the module coordinator about progress and content and ultimately produce a dissertation. You will also have to attend and pass a viva which is normally carried out at the University.

PROGRESS REPORTING weighted at 20%.

A DISSERTATION length 8-10,000 WORDS weighted at 70%.

A VIVA weighted at 10%. (LAST ASSESSMENT)

1. Production of FOUR progress reports to the project advisor during the course of the dissertation module. [LOs 1,2 and 3] (20% weighting)

2. Production of the final report/thesis of 8,000-10,000 words [LOs 1-5] (70% weighting)

3. Viva [LO 1,4 and5] (10% weighting)
The viva is a compulsory part of the dissertation module and students are unable to complete the module without having completed and passed the viva. Full information about the expectations for, and preparations for, the viva can be found in the module handbook and the student award handbook

The outcome of the viva will be used to check the probity of the dissertation report/thesis and to moderate the provisional mark for the report/thesis.

There are two possible outcomes to the viva:

(i) A pass in the viva that will result in the thesis grade either remaining unaltered or will either raise or lower the mark for the report/thesis by a maximum of 5 percentage points

(ii) A deferred decision on the viva [which, since a pass in the viva is compulsory in order to pass the module] will result in a deferred decision on the outcome of the module. Reasons for a deferred decision could include, for example, non-availability of the student or tutor, suspicion of academic misconduct etc.

Ample opportunity will be provided for formative assessment throughout the module - including feedback on the progress reports and discussions about, and reviews of, draft dissertation text.