ENVP40030 Environmental Policy Thesis

Academic Year 2021/2022

Students in this module will produce a research thesis on a topic that is related to their chosen specialist area. The thesis will let students explore a topic in depth with guidance from an academic supervisor. The thesis will consist of two components: A Literature Review Paper and a Policy Paper (unless otherwise agreed with your supervisor and the Programme Director). These papers will ideally be related but this is not a requirement. The Literature Review Paper should show an in-depth understanding and appreciation of the academic literature on a subject of relevance to environmental policy. This can be an updated version of the Literature Review produced in the Spring Trimester. This will involve a high degree of autonomous student learning including extensive reading, critical thinking, and writing on a specific academic topic related to Environmental Policy. The Policy Paper is an autonomous student learning experience which will be carried out during the Summer Trimester and submitted as part of the thesis along with the final Literature Review Paper. The aim of the Policy Paper will be to evaluate an area of environmental policy and/or an environmental policy instrument using a systematic and rigorous methodology. On the request of the examiners, or the module co-ordinator, a viva voce (oral) examination may be required. This will be held within 6 weeks of the submission of the thesis.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of the thesis the student will:
- Recognise the need and value of high quality research as an essential requirement which leads to improved policy and practice.
- Have generated an interesting and relevant manuscript with coherent aims and objectives.
- Have conducted a search and critical review of the academic literature on the topic, and in particular to have reviewed the peer reviewed journal literature.
- Have developed and implemented an appropriate research methodology for the topic.
- Have analysed the results using relevant techniques (Quantitative and/or qualitative).
- Have developed conclusions which reflect on their research results and how it relates to the broader academic literature, to policy and to practice.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Tutorial

10
Autonomous Student Learning

590
Total

600
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Students will be allocated a thesis supervisor to provide guidance. This module will also involve a high degree of autonomous student learning including the application of skills acquired from previous modules in Autumn and Spring Trimesters. Extensive reading, critical thinking and writing will be necessary. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Equivalents:
Thesis (PEP40600)


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Assignment: Thesis Report Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Graded No

100

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

The final thesis submission will be assessed by two reviewers and feedback provided to students.