This course aims to build on skills, principles, theories and techniques acquired during the first three years of study. The student will be required to undertake some original research and present their findings in a scientific report.

2 x 2hr meetings with course convenor and supervisor at start of honours year and thereafter as required and agreed between student and supervisor.

Research Proposal (30%) - 2000 to 2500 words

Scientific Report (70%) - 11000 to 13000 words

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. For non Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

The aims of this course are to:

1. Give students the experience of a substantial individual research project in an area relevant to the field of environmental stewardship;

2. Enhance students' skills in practical data collection, data interpretation and critical analysis;

3. Further develop students' proficiency in scientific writing;

4. Hone student skills in assessing literature on an environmental stewardship topic.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Evaluate, plan and carry out a sustained piece of individual research through its various stages;

2. Produce a detailed research proposal relative to their chosen research topic;

3. Perform relevant and rigorous environmental research methods and techniques, involving analysis of secondary data and collection of original primary data;

4. Interpret all relevant scientific data (both primary and secondary) and critically assess their strengths and weaknesses;

5. Present and critique  their data and findings in a substantial scientific report.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.