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Overview

A supervised project involving original research and leading to the production of a dissertation.

The honours research dissertation allows students the opportunity to choose a surveying theme of particular relevance, interest or concern for them, enabling further specialisation of their learning outcomes. In certain circumstances the surveying profession and industry help with loaning specialist equipment and offering training courses. The dissertation equips students with experience in researching and writing up results and gives them valuable critical and analytical skills. An honours degree may be viewed by employers as a pathway for higher-achieving graduates to demonstrate skills that will enable them to follow an accelerated career path.

About this paper

Paper title Dissertation
Subject Surveying
EFTS 0.2353
Points 60 points
Teaching period(s) Full Year (On campus)
1st Non standard period (13 July 2026 - 18 June 2027) (On campus)
Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) $2,798.42
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
Restriction
SURV 490, SURV 580 and SURV 591
Eligibility

Students with a B+ average are invited to enrol for honours. Those interested in doing honours are encouraged to work with prospective supervisors from towards the end of the 300-level to develop a topic and research objectives so that they can get off to a good start in their final year.

Enrolments for this paper require departmental permission.
View more information about departmental permission.

Contact

paul.denys@otago.ac.nz

Teaching staff

Dr Paul Denys

Paper Structure

A year-long paper assessed by an initial research proposal and short presentation, a dissertation of 15,000 to 20,000 words in length and a final oral presentation.

Teaching Arrangements

Approximately twelve lectures, mainly concentrated in the first semester, one-to-one tutorials while research topics are being developed, and supervision of the dissertation spread over the whole year.

Textbooks

Textbooks are not required for this paper.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised
Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
Learning Outcomes
Students take with them from this paper an in-depth knowledge and understanding of their research topic area together with skills in critical thinking, information literacy, written expression and oral communication. They also demonstrate a high level of and self-motivation and sustained effort.

Overview

A supervised project involving original research and leading to the production of a dissertation.

The honours research dissertation allows students the opportunity to choose a surveying theme of particular relevance, interest or concern for them, enabling further specialisation of their learning outcomes. In certain circumstances the surveying profession and industry help with loaning specialist equipment and offering training courses. The dissertation equips students with experience in researching and writing up results and gives them valuable critical and analytical skills. An honours degree may be viewed by employers as a pathway for higher-achieving graduates to demonstrate skills that will enable them to follow an accelerated career path.

About this paper

Paper title Dissertation
Subject Surveying
EFTS 0.2353
Points 60 points
Teaching period(s) Full Year (On campus)
1st Non standard period (12 July 2027 - 18 June 2028) (On campus)
Domestic Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for 2027 have not yet been set
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
Restriction
SURV 490, SURV 580 and SURV 591
Eligibility

Students with a B+ average are invited to enrol for honours. Those interested in doing honours are encouraged to work with prospective supervisors from towards the end of the 300-level to develop a topic and research objectives so that they can get off to a good start in their final year.

Enrolments for this paper require departmental permission.
View more information about departmental permission.

Contact

paul.denys@otago.ac.nz

Teaching staff

Dr Paul Denys

Paper Structure

A year-long paper assessed by an initial research proposal and short presentation, a dissertation of 15,000 to 20,000 words in length and a final oral presentation.

Teaching Arrangements

Approximately twelve lectures, mainly concentrated in the first semester, one-to-one tutorials while research topics are being developed and supervision of the dissertation spread over the whole year.

Textbooks

Textbooks are not required for this paper.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised
Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
Learning Outcomes
Students take with them from this paper an in-depth knowledge and understanding of their research topic area, together with skills in critical thinking, information literacy, written expression and oral communication. They also demonstrate a high level of self-motivation and sustained effort.
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