Assessable learning outcomes:
1. Independent learning: identifying a researchable topic, carrying out a critical literature review or analysis cognizant with the problem or task specified. This may include outlining data requirements, identifying data, assessing and interpreting data.
2. Transferable skills: written communication skills, data collection skills, interpretive skills, presentation skills.
3. Analytical skills: quantitative and or qualitative skills. Critical analysis of information and data, application of data to real world issues and problems

Additional outcomes:
Students will develop skills of independent study and research as well as of problem solving and written communication

Outline content:
The study is likely to include a sub set of the following
1. Introduction and rationale for topic selection. Generation of objectives and issues for the
study (aims, questions, goals, target audience).
2. Review and analysis of relevant literature and key issues, questions, directions for study
3. Methodology to be adopted. In some cases existing “models” may be in place (for instance
business plans, EIAs etc)
4. Findings. Outline and settings of the findings in appropriate format.
5. Discussion. Evaluation of findings in light of literature and aims, objectives, goals.
6. Conclusion. Setting interpreted results into context of literature/company situation.
Limitations of the study etc.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
It is expected that a final year project will take 200 hours of student effort. In Term 6 students will be expected to start work on the final year project. As part of this there will an introductory seminar programme including one timetabled session in the library on literature searching. Additionally, students are expected to produce a poster outlining their proposed research topic, this will contribute 25 marks. Later in the year students are expected to make a 10-minute presentation outlining the aim, objectives, research hypothesis, methods and initial results associated with their final year project. This will again account for 25 of the final 200 marks allocated to the final year project. Additionally, students are expected to meet with their supervisors on at least two occasions in each of the three terms. Students will otherwise work under their own initiative. The final assessment marks will comprise 150 for the written final year project.

Contact hours:

Assessment:
Coursework
1. Poster presentation in summer term (25 marks)
2. Oral presentation outlining progress in the autumn term (25 marks)
3. Two hard copies (in presentation folders) and an electronic version (that must contain the whole project within one complete file for loading on to the JISC plagiarism detection software) guidleline of 8000 words to be submitted by the end of week one of the Spring term. This will be assessed by an Internal Marker and the Supervisor. (150 marks)* see note

* note for some degrees this will consist of 50 marks for a literature review to be completed in the summer and 100 marks for the final document.

Relative percentage of coursework: 100%

Penalties for late submission
Standard University rule applies: 10% marks deducted for work submitted up to one week late. Work submitted more than one week late will be awarded a zero mark.

Examinations
None

Reassessment arrangements:
By Coursework: Project re-submission

Requirements for a pass
A mark of 40% overall