ENVR09034 2019 EHS Dissertation

General Details

Full Title
EHS Dissertation
Transcript Title
EHS Dissertation
Code
ENVR09034
Attendance
N/A %
Subject Area
ENVR - Environmental Science
Department
ESCI - Environmental Science
Level
09 - NFQ Level 9
Credit
30 - 30 Credits
Duration
Stage
Fee
Start Term
2019 - Full Academic Year 2019-20
End Term
9999 - The End of Time
Author(s)
Steve Tonry
Programme Membership
SG_SEHSM_M09 201900 Master of Science in EHS Management
Description

This module requires the learner to pursue research on an appropriate topic in occupational safety and health and/or environmental management, integrate research findings and articulate the key considerations of the specific investigation. The module provides information on research methods with presentations on the following areas:

  • Defining the research question;
  • Sections/chapters of the dissertation;
  • Literature review and library resources;
  • Research methodologies; and
  • Data interpretation and analysis.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module the learner will/should be able to;

1.

Identify, conceptualise, formulate and communicate a research proposal for a specific occupational safety and health and/or environmental management topic.

2.

Complete a programme of work requiring sustained effort with the objective of developing critical abilities in analysis, synthesis and evaluation.

3.

Identify the objectives of the study, formulate an appropriate methodology and review the literature relevant to the study.

4.

Identify and utilise scientific research methods appropriate to the dissertation.

5.

Collect, collate and analyse relevant data, using statistical tests as appropriate.

6.

Evaluate and synthesise the main findings of the study and develop appropriate recommendations.

7.

Synthesise the research work in the form of a research proposal, presentations, abstract/executive summary and minor dissertation.

8.

Manage a personal learning process, demonstrate monitoring and revision procedures through the development of the dissertation and recognise the information and resource requirements of the study.

Teaching and Learning Strategies

The students will be exposed to a blend of learning activities e.g. online lectures (via adobe connect or similar), independent learning and directed learning. This approach is expected to address various student learning needs. Moodle will be used to upload educational material. 

Module Assessment Strategies

This module is assessed by 100% Continuous Assessment. The assessments will consist of the following:

  • One MCQ covering the directed reading material on completing a dissertation, as well as the content of presentations provided on research methods.
  • 3 presentations.
  • Final dissertation document.

Repeat Assessments

In the event that the overall mark for the dissertation is less than 40%, then the learner must undertake one or more failed elements to achieve a pass mark of 40%.

Indicative Syllabus

This module is undertaken by learners over 2 academic semesters in Year 2 of the programme, with Semester 2 of Year 2 being devoted solely to the Dissertation.

At the end of Year 1 students complete a Dissertation proposal form, as they are encouraged to undertake research on a topic of interest to them (or their employer). A supervisor is then assigned to ensure that the research proposal is appropriate (and to advise the student to amend as necessary), and then to guide the student throughout the entire research process.

At the start of Year 2, a research methods workshop is provided, with presentations in the following key areas:

  • Defining the research question;
  • Sections/chapters of the dissertation;
  • Literature review and library resources;
  • Research methodologies; and
  • Data interpretation and analysis.

Students will make three presentations during the year: 

  1. The first presentation will focus on explaining the rationale for undertaking the project, identifying the problem to be solved or question to be answered (following direction from the assigned supervisor to ensure it is viable and achievable) and a detailed proposal on how the project will proceed. Relevant Literature should be reviewed by this stage.
  2. The second presentation will focus on the most relevant issues arising from the review of all of the relevant literature, an analysis of the issues that will be addressed by the data collection phase of the project and the methods to be used (methodology) to collect the new data required.
  3. The third presentation will focus on the appropriateness of the final methodology, presenting the resulting preliminary findings (results) of the study and putting this preliminary information into context with the existing literature. Feedback from this presentation will aid the student in formulating the Discussion and Conclusion/Recommendations Chapters.

The learners are required to demonstrate their ability in research, designing and executing experiments/ numerical analysis/ analytical analysis, concept development and reporting.

In undertaking this module learners will develop the skills required to manage and organise a major project. They will appraise and assess existing theories and present the findings and conclusions of their work in a formal report. The report will include a literature review on the current state of the art in the project area.

Each project will usually have a strong central core: laboratory testing, numerical modelling or analysis of field data or a combination of these methods as deemed appropriate.

The student will identify a potential peer-review conference/journal paper for the research work and indicate how this work may contribute to furthering knowledge in the specific EHS field.

 

 

Coursework & Assessment Breakdown

Coursework & Continuous Assessment
100 %

Coursework Assessment

Title Type Form Percent Week Learning Outcomes Assessed
1 Research Methods MCQ Coursework Assessment Multiple Choice/Short Answer Test 5 % Week 2 1,3,8
2 Presentation 1 - Dissertation proposal Coursework Assessment Assessment 5 % Week 3 1,3
3 Presentation 2 - Methodology Coursework Assessment Assessment 5 % Week 16 3,4
4 Presentation 3 - Results Coursework Assessment Assessment 5 % Week 23 5,6
5 Supervisor Assessment Coursework Assessment Performance Evaluation 10 % OnGoing 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
6 Final Dissertation Document Project Individual Project 70 % End of Year 2,3,4,5,6,7

Online Learning Mode Workload


Type Location Description Hours Frequency Avg Workload
Workshop / Seminar Not Specified Research Methods 0.25 Weekly 0.25
Directed Learning Not Specified Project Supervision 1 Weekly 1.00
Independent Learning Not Specified Dissertation Research 18.75 Weekly 18.75
Total Online Learning Average Weekly Learner Contact Time 1.25 Hours

Required & Recommended Book List

Recommended Reading
Writing your dissertation : how to plan, prepare and present successful work. 3rd ed. Oxford : How to Books.

Recommended Reading
Researching and writing dissertations in business and management.1st ed. London. Thomson Learning.

Recommended Reading
Successful scientific writing : a step-by-step guide for the biological and medical sciences. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Recommended Reading
Surviving your Dissertation - A Comprehensive Guide to Content and Process 2nd Edition Sage Publications Inc., New York

Recommended Reading
Writing up your university assignments and research projects : a practical handbook. Milton Keynes : Open University Press.

Module Resources

Journal Resources

N/A

URL Resources

http://www.epa.ie/pubs/reports/research/abouteparesearch/submission/Style_Guidelines_for_Authors%20.pdf

Other Resources

N/A