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

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

A pre-dissertation workshop, normally held at the University, is strongly recommended as a prelude to this module. 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

This module will develop your skills in both research and technical writing. You will choose a topic area in conjunction with your award leader and/or dissertation module coordinator and dissertation advisor (which may be work related), research the relevant background 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

For students to progress to this module, no specific modules have to be passed, but they are required to have undertaken and passed 60 credits at Certificate level, and at least another 30 credits at Diploma level.

Students must also have studied module SCS83452-M, Understanding Sustainability Research or SCS83468-M Understanding Environmental Forensic Research.

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 10,000-12,000 words [LOs 1,2,3 and 4] (80% weighting)

3. Viva [LOs 1, 4 and 5 - see below]

Additional Assessment Details:
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 grade point 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 point either remaining unaltered or will either raise or lower the mark for the report/thesis by a maximum of one grade point
(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 dishonesty etc.

The viva will normally be held within 4-6 weeks from the date of submission of the dissertation thesis and will not normally be allowed later than 6 months from the date of submission

Formative Assessment:
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