Dissertation in Geospatial Data Science

Code

ENGR4014

School

Engineering Research

Level

4

Credits

120

Semesters

Spring UK

Summary

The individual dissertation is a significant piece of independent work where the concepts and skills acquired in earlier modules are used in a technical or applied piece of work. It will allow the development of specialist and specific knowledge and skills that relate directly to wider research interests, and will prepare the student for the full PhD which follows in years 2-4. The dissertation will involve working closely with an appropriate supervision team and in many cases will offer the opportunity to engage and work with geospatial industry experts.

Students will either select a project from a list offered by potential supervisors, propose and refine their own project proposal with an academic supervisor or undertake a project agreed with a Geospatial industry partner. Projects will involve:

1.    Background research and literature critique to deepen understanding of the project.
2.    Development of a set of aims, objectives and research questions.
3.    The development of the methodological design of the project.
4.    Technical implementation of the required methods.
5.    Analysis, interpretation and synthesis of the solution/results generated.
6.    Preparation of the written dissertation.

Classes

• Twenty 1-hour workshops each week for 4 weeks
• One 1-hour tutorial each week for 22 weeks
• Twenty 1-hour seminars each week for 5 weeks
• Twenty 1-hour practicums each week for 22 weeks

Workshops and seminars will be held on Frontiers of Geospatial Research, Understanding Geospatial Data Science (Social, Legal and Ethical Perspectives), and a Group Project activity. There will be significant periods of guided independent study for: Background research, preparation of the poster and oral presentations, writing the interim report, undertaking independent project work, dissertation writing

Assessment

• 10% Presentation 1: Individual Presentation on project topic
• 15% Report: Interim report. Up to 2,000 words
• 5% Presentation 2: Individual poster on project topic
• 70% Dissertation: Individual dissertation. Up to 15,000 words

Learning Outcomes

Deepen the knowledge and skills acquired in the taught programme through practice 

Develop new practical geospatial and computing skills required to deliver a research project

Cultivate the ability to work as part of a group toward a wider common objective

Understand the social, legal and ethical implications of geospatial data and their applications

 Increase intellectual understanding of a particular area geospatial data science

Further develop the transferable skills required by the geospatial industry

Conveners

• Professor Stuart Marsh