Skip to main content
Home

Information for:

  • Alumni
  • Applicants
  • Current Students
  • Staff
  • Job Vacancies
  • Covid-19
  • Cymraeg
My country:

Main Menu

    • Study Options
      • Study Home
      • Why Study at Bangor?
      • Undergraduate Study
      • Postgraduate Taught Study
      • Postgraduate Research
      • Part-time Courses
      • January Start Courses
      • Degree Apprenticeships
      • Study Abroad
      • Work Experience
    • Study Advice
      • Apply
      • Already Applied?
      • Fees and Finances
      • Scholarships and Bursaries
      • Get Ready for University
    • Explore Bangor
      • Virtual Open Days and Visits
      • Virtual Student Experience

    Find a Course

    Order a Prospectus

    • Student Life
      • Student Life Home
      • Bangor and the Area
      • Social Life and Entertainment
      • Accommodation
      • Clubs and Societies
      • Sport
      • Virtual Student Experience
    • Your Experience at Bangor
      • Student Support
      • Skills and Employability
      • Study or Work Abroad
      • Fees and Finances

    Welcome 2021

    Student Profiles

    Student Videos and Vlogs

    • Choose Bangor
      • International Home
      • Why Bangor?
      • Location
      • Student Support
      • Contact Us
    • Apply
      • Entry Requirements
      • Tuition Fees and Scholarships
      • How to Apply
      • Already Applied
      • Study Abroad
      • Exchanges

    January Intake Courses

    Country Specific Information

    Bangor University International College

    Covid-19 Information

    • Research
      • Research Home
      • About Our Research
      • Research in our Academic Schools
      • Research Institutes and Centres
      • Research Portal
      • Research, Innovation and Impact Office (RIIO)
      • Energy
      • Research News
    • Postgraduate Study and Research Opportunities
      • Postgraduate Research Study
    • Events and Training Opportunities
      • Researcher Development
    • The University
      • About Us
      • Our Mission
      • Our Location
      • Academic Schools and Colleges
      • Services and Facilities
      • University Management and Governance
      • Vice Chancellor's Office
      • Working with Business
      • Working with the Community
      • Sustainability
      • Contact Us
    • Working for Us
      • Job Vacancies
    • University Management and Governance
      • Policies and Procedures
      • Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement
    • University and the Community
      • Pontio
      • Sports Facilities
      • Conference Facilities
      • Places to Eat and Drink
      • Public Events
      • Widening Access
      • Services to Schools
    • Business Services
      • Business Services Home
    • Collaboration Hub
      • Collaboration Hub
      • Funding for Collaborative Research and Development (R&D) & Innovation
      • Business Facilities and Networks
      • Consultancy, Specialist Expertise and Knowledge
      • Commercialisation and Intellectual Property (IP)
      • Student Placements and Internships in Business & Enterprise
      • Training and Continuing Professional Development
      • Degree Apprenticeships
    • Conferencing and Business Dining
      • Conferencing Facilities
      • Business Dining
    • Contacts
      • Research, Innovation and Impact Office (RIIO)
      • Get In Touch
    • News
      • Current News
      • Research News
      • Student News
    • Events
      • Events

    • Study Options
      • Study Home
      • Why Study at Bangor?
      • Undergraduate Study
      • Postgraduate Taught Study
      • Postgraduate Research
      • Part-time Courses
      • January Start Courses
      • Degree Apprenticeships
      • Study Abroad
      • Work Experience
    • Study Advice
      • Apply
      • Already Applied?
      • Fees and Finances
      • Scholarships and Bursaries
      • Get Ready for University
    • Explore Bangor
      • Virtual Open Days and Visits
      • Virtual Student Experience

    Find a Course

    Order a Prospectus

    Covid-19 information

    • Student Life
      • Student Life Home
      • Bangor and the Area
      • Social Life and Entertainment
      • Accommodation
      • Clubs and Societies
      • Sport
      • Virtual Student Experience
    • Your Experience at Bangor
      • Student Support
      • Skills and Employability
      • Study or Work Abroad
      • Fees and Finances

    Welcome 2021

    Student Profiles

    Student Videos and Vlogs

    • Choose Bangor
      • International Home
      • Why Bangor?
      • Location
      • Student Support
      • Contact Us
    • Apply
      • Entry Requirements
      • Tuition Fees and Scholarships
      • How to Apply
      • Already Applied
      • Study Abroad
      • Exchanges

    January Intake Courses

    Country Specific Information

    Bangor University International College

    Covid-19 Information

    • Research
      • Research Home
      • About Our Research
      • Research in our Academic Schools
      • Research Institutes and Centres
      • Research Portal
      • Research, Innovation and Impact Office (RIIO)
      • Energy
      • Research News
    • Postgraduate Study and Research Opportunities
      • Postgraduate Research Study
    • Events and Training Opportunities
      • Researcher Development
    • The University
      • About Us
      • Our Mission
      • Our Location
      • Academic Schools and Colleges
      • Services and Facilities
      • University Management and Governance
      • Vice Chancellor’s Office
      • Working with Business
      • Working with the Community
      • Sustainability
      • Contact Us
    • Working for Us
      • Job Vacancies
    • University Management and Governance
      • Policies and Procedures
      • Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement
    • University and the Community
      • Pontio
      • Sports Facilities
      • Conference Facilities
      • Places to Eat and Drink
      • Public Events
      • Widening Access
      • Services to Schools
    • Business Services
      • Business Services Home
    • Collaboration Hub
      • Collaboration Hub
      • Funding for Collaborative Research and Development (R&D) & Innovation
      • Business Facilities and Networks
      • Consultancy, Specialist Expertise and Knowledge
      • Commercialisation and Intellectual Property (IP)
      • Student Placements and Internships in Business & Enterprise
      • Training and Continuing Professional Development
      • Degree Apprenticeships
    • Conferencing and Business Dining
      • Conferencing Facilities
      • Business Dining
    • Contacts
      • Research, Innovation and Impact Office (RIIO)
      • Get In Touch
    • News
      • Current News
      • Research News
      • Student News
    • Events
      • Events

Information for:

  • Alumni
  • Applicants
  • Current Students
  • Staff
  • Job Vacancies
  • Covid-19
My country:

Search

Close

Breadcrumb

Share this page:
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Cymraeg

Share this page:
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Join us on a Virtual Open Day

Book Now

Order a Prospectus

Order Now

Chat to our staff and students

Connect through Unibuddy

Module OSX-3000:
Dissertation

Module Facts

Run by School of Ocean Sciences

20 Credits or 10 ECTS Credits

Semester 2

Organiser: Dr Margot Saher

Overall aims and purpose

The aim of this module is to help students develop independent study skills and research skills by undertaking a significant analytical exercise that consists of (a) a detailed literature review, (b) a thorough analysis of data or information retrieved from the literature or analysis of an existing data set and (c) a critical reflection of their data and topic. The dissertation will be in a specific research area under the supervision of an individual member of staff. Students will build on the skills already initiated in the 2nd year (Module OSX2000) to present the research literature reviewed and the data analysed, and provide a critical reflection of, their topic as a substantial written dissertation and also as a 15 minute Powerpoint presentation to a large audience of staff and students. Two lectures introducing the module, literature searching, examples of good practice, dissertation content and oral presentations. Independent study, under the guidance of a Supervisor within a tutorial scheme, who will provide guidance if required for data collection, collation and analysis. Students will be offered as much choice as possible of the general research area that interests them and of the specific dissertation subject that they undertake. This module requires students to apply self-discipline and concentration in the detailed analysis of the research material followed by initiative and imaginative thought in the synthesis of the final dissertation. A substantial dissertation can be a clear demonstration to prospective employers of a student's academic ability and powers of analysis and expression.

Course content

The students' initial choice of dissertation topic will be organised prior to the start of the module and the topics covered will be very wide ranging across the whole spectrum of Ocean Sciences. An introductory lecture will outline the academic purpose and the organisational structure of the Module and will remind students of literature searching methods, and strategies for collation, review and analysis of data. Following this, students will work independently but with the support of a supervisor who will generally be cognisant of, and may often be an expert in, the area of the students' dissertation topic. There will be five formal tutorials during the module and a second general lecture that will offer advice on oral presentations. Each student will give a short oral presentation to a large audience in a Conference-style format and will be required to be part of that audience for other students. A final substantial dissertation will be submitted electronically through TURNITIN (plagiarism software) and as two soft-bound copies for assessment.

Assessment Criteria

good

A good review of the scientific literature pertinent to the topic of research, clear evidence of data collation and analysis or problem solving, critical review and appraisal of data presented (a) as a detailed, tabulated and/or illustrated dissertation showing clear understanding of the topic and the research questions posed and (b) as a strong, confident oral presentation.

excellent

A thorough review of the scientific literature pertinent to the topic of research, extensive data collation and analysis or problem solving, excellent and critical review and appraisal of data presented (a) as a highly creative, insightful, carefully argued, tabulated and/or illustrated dissertation and (b) as a riveting, entertaining, tightly argued oral presentation.

threshold

A basic review of the scientific literature pertinent to the topic of research, some evidence of data collation and analysis or problem solving, basic review and appraisal of data presented (a) as a rudimentary but competent written dissertation and (b) as an adequate oral presentation

Learning outcomes

  1. Display evidence of original analytical thinking or problem solving

  2. Search for, find and bring together published information and data relevant to a specific chosen topic of research.

  3. Critically read, assimilate, review and analyse selected published information on a specific chosen topic of research.

  4. Describe and provide advanced interpretive analysis of a data set

  5. Competently present a written Dissertation using tabulation, illustration and correct referencing methodology.

  6. Competently present their findings in an oral presentation using Powerpoint

Assessment Methods

Type Name Description Weight
DISSERTATION Dissertation 70
ORAL Oral presentation 30

Teaching and Learning Strategy

Hours
Lecture

2 x 1 h lectures.

2
Tutorial

5 x 1 h tutorials with supervisors, spread over semester

5
Seminar

7 hr attending presentation of peers and giving own presentation

7
Individual Project 186

Transferable skills

  • Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
  • Numeracy - Proficiency in using numbers at appropriate levels of accuracy
  • Computer Literacy - Proficiency in using a varied range of computer software
  • Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
  • Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
  • Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
  • Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sensitevely with others
  • Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
  • Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.
  • Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting

Courses including this module

Compulsory in courses:

  • C163: BSC Applied Marine Biology year 4 (BSC/AMB4)
  • C166: BSc Applied Marine Biology (with International Experience) year 4 (BSC/AMB4IE)
  • CC13: BSC Marine Biology/Zoology year 3 (BSC/BMZ)
  • 8B76: BSc Marine Biology and Zoology (with International Exp) year 4 (BSC/BMZIE)
  • F841: BSC Coastal Geography year 3 (BSC/COASTG)
  • F890: Coastal Water Resources year 3 (BSC/CWR)
  • F650: BSC Geological Oceanography year 3 (BSC/GEO)
  • 8S54: BSc Geological Oceanography (with International Experience) year 4 (BSC/GEOIE)
  • F842: BSc Marine Geography year 3 (BSC/MARG)
  • C160: BSC Marine Biology year 3 (BSC/MB)
  • C165: BSc Marine Biology (with International Experience) year 4 (BSC/MBIE)
  • CF17: BSC Marine Biology/Oceanography year 3 (BSC/MBO)
  • F710: BSC Marine Environmental Studies year 3 (BSC/MES)
  • F713: BSc Marine Environmental Stud with International Experience year 4 (BSC/MESIE)
  • C351: BSC Marine Vertebrate Zoology year 3 (BSC/MVZ)
  • 2F11: BSc Marine Vertebrate Zoology (with International Experience year 4 (BSC/MVZIE)
  • F7F6: BSc Ocean and Geophysics year 3 (BSC/OGP)
  • F700: BSC Ocean Science year 3 (BSC/OS)
  • F840: BSc Physical Geography and Oceanography year 3 (BSC/PGO)
  • 2W79: MMBiol Marine Biology (with International Experience) year 4 (MMBIOL/MBI)
  • F651: MOcean Geological Oceanography year 3 (MOCEAN/GO)
  • F732: MOcean Physical Oceanography year 3 (MOCEAN/PO)
  • F652: MSci Geological Oceanography year 3 (MSCI/GO)
  • C167: MSci Marine Biology year 3 (MSCI/MB)
  • F712: MSci Marine Biology and Oceanography year 3 (MSCI/MBO)
  • C169: MSci Marine Biology and Zoology year 3 (MSCI/MBZ)
  • C168: MSci Marine Vertebrate Zoology year 3 (MSCI/MVZ)
  • F734: MSci Physical Oceanography year 3 (MSCI/PO)

Home

Study

  • Undergraduate Study
Home

Follow Us

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn

Bangor University

Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DG, UK

+44 (0)1248 351151

marketing@bangor.ac.uk

Visit Us

Maps & Directions

Policy

  • Legal Compliance
  • Modern Slavery Act 2015 Statement
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Privacy and Cookies
Map

Bangor University is a Registered Charity: No. 1141565

© 2020 Bangor University