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GEOG40520

Academic Year 2026/2027

Dissertation (GEOG40520)

Subject:
Geography
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Geography
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
30
Module Coordinator:
Professor Kath Browne
Trimester:
Summer
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This is an independent research module. Students are required to complete a dissertation that demonstrates: the ability to conceive, execute and deliver an independent project; project and time management skills; professional engagement with a supervisor.
Students must submit a dissertation based on original geographic research. The subject of this dissertation must be approved by, and determined in consultation with, the max 15,000 words in length, exclusive of bibliography, appendices and title page (inclusive of abstract, quotes and tables that are in the text). Please note that the quality of the dissertation’s content is more important than focusing on meeting the word count alone.
Full details are outlined in the dissertation handbook.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

By the time the dissertation is completed, students should have:
Developed and provided evidence of advanced critical reading and writing skills;
Determined and applied appropriate methodologies to answer specific research questions;
Evidenced their ability to conceive and effectively execute an independent research project through excellent project management and time management;
Demonstrated an advanced knowledge of their chosen subject area including the ability to draw evidence-based conclusions.


Indicative Module Content:

Research design, execution and write up.

UNESCO highlights a set of key competencies that support individuals in their development and support society in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UCD has adapted these competencies and is combining them with others to form a general framework of learning competencies. This module will help you develop the competencies below to the levels specified. 
Learning Competency Additional Information Level

Critical Thinking

 The ability to question norms, practices and opinions; to reflect on one’s own values, perceptions and actions. Expert

Systems Thinking

 The ability to recognize and understand relationships; to analyse complex systems; to think of how systems are embedded within different domains and different scales; and to deal with uncertainty. Expert

Strategic

 The ability to collectively develop and implement innovative actions that further sustainability at the local level and further afield. Expert

Integrated Problem Solving

 The overarching ability to apply different problem-solving frameworks to complex sustainability problems and develop viable, inclusive and equitable solution options that promote sustainable development, integrating the competencies in this list. Expert

Self-awareness

 The ability to reflect on one’s own role in the local community and (global) society; to continually evaluate and further motivate one’s actions; and to deal with one’s feelings and desires. Expert

Normative

 The ability to understand and reflect on the norms and values that underlie one’s actions; and to negotiate values, principles, goals, and targets, in a context of conflicts of interest and trade-offs, uncertain knowledge and contradictions. Proficient

Anticipatory

 The ability to understand and evaluate multiple scenarios for the future – possible, probable and desirable; to create one’s own visions for the future; to apply the precautionary principle; to assess the consequences of actions; and to deal with risks and changes. Proficient

Digital Literacy and Judgement

 The ability to access, evaluate, create and communicate information in digital environments; to engage critically, ethically and responsibly with digital technologies and digital information; to understand their opportunities, limitations, risks and impact on individual’s digital identities; and to exercise informed judgement in digital participation and decision-making. Competent

Wellbeing

 Wellbeing is having the resources and skills to meet life's challenges, including attributes such as personal development skills, resilience, stress management, strengths, lifestyle skills, nutrition, physical activity, sleep, alcohol/substance use, academic skills, time management, goal setting, interpersonal skills, group work, communication. Expert

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

600
Total

600

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Students are supported by a supervisor. This module will require high levels of self-motivation, independent organisation, active/task-based learning; critical writing; enquiry based and reflective learning.

The School of Geography does not allow the use of content generative AI. Any use of AI (for example grammar, writing support, translation- outside of that approved by UCD Access) will need to be agreed with your supervisor in advance and specified in a mandatory appendix. Even if there was no AI use an appendix that addresses AI use is required for all dissertations. Any use must adhere to academic integrity and UCD rules. The only exception to this will be in agreement with your supervisor, and this requires an explicit statement in your dissertation.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Co-requisite:
GEOG40390 - Research Design


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade Component repeat (in-module) Offered
Thesis/Dissertation: You will be required to write a high quality research dissertation. Week 15 Graded No
100
 No

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


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

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Students work on their thesis with their academic supervisor's guidance and feedback throughout the year.

Name Role
Assoc Professor Dieter Kogler Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Silvia Loi Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Niamh Moore Cherry Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Dean Phelan Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
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