The focus on, and development of, students’ research skills at undergraduate Level 4 and beyond

What happens?

Students find the skills requisite for a successful dissertation difficult to develop from a standing start at L6. The aim is to introduce the relevant skills at L4 and develop them further at L5 such that they are highly developed by the time students reach L6. This ‘whole degree’ approach to dissertation success is innovative and one that could be utilised by all degree programmes.

What is the impact?

Students are almost immediately exposed to the demands of project work on starting their degree. This is delivered as part of the Cyprus field course and also requires working under pressure to tight deadlines. A similar approach is taken at L5 but with smaller group sizes and projects of longer duration. The successful addressing of these challenges engenders self-confidence alongside developing relevant skills of planning, time management, practical skills, analysis and communication of results, ultimately leading to higher dissertation scores and hence degree grades.

 

For more information please contact: Professor Paul Ashton

[email protected]

[SOURCE: BSc (Hons) Food Science & BSc (Hons) Plant Science – Stage 2].