121-430 Environmental Studies Coursework

Research modules are offered in intensive mode over summer. Students should consult Dr Ray Wyatt, the modules coordinator, for timetable details prior to the summer break in the year prior to their enrolment.

Admission to the postgraduate diploma or fourth-year honours in environmental studies.

This subject comprises three components: a course of lectures and seminars on the principles and practice of environmental or social impact assessment; preparation of an extended review of the literature related to the subject matter of the student's individual thesis, covering both specific research in this area, and also the broader context within which the survey is situated; research methodolgy lectures and practical excercises covering two methodology areas chosen from the following list: SPSS or Introductory Statistics; GIS or Geocomputation; Research Planning or Managing Your Thesis or Planning a Fourth-Year Research Project; Ethics or Researching Vulnerable Groups; Storytelling and Narrative Analysis or Observation Methods; Survey Analysis; Questionnaire Design.

A total of 20 000 words comprising a research proposal of 2000 words, a literature review of 6000 words, practical exercises on research methods for two elective modules totalling 5000 words, an essay and short seminar papers totalling 5000 words, two oral presentations (totalling 40 minutes) on research proposal and research results. Attendance at the School seminar series and other prescribed seminars is compulsory, as is completion of two methodology modules.