Full Year, 40 points (FY)
Coordination: Postgraduate Committee
The purpose of this graduate level course is to help prepare first year MA and MSc students for thesis research. The course is designed to start and monitor your research programme. To do this, students will be assigned to an individual supervisor in your topic area who will provide expert advice and guidance specific to each sub-discipline. Running in parallel will be a series of seminars designed to help you prepare for writing and presenting your thesis proposal. The seminars are run by different members of the Department of Geography and are compulsory for GEOG495 students. When attending these seminars, your thoughts, questions, discussion and arguments are highly encouraged. We hope you find this course useful in preparing to undertake your graduate thesis research and that the skills you learn will serve you well in your future endeavours.
GEOG495 is predominantly based around your relationship with an individual supervisor (see choosing a potential supervisor). You will be expected to meet regularly with your supervisor throughout the course where they will advise on the structure, organisation and presentation of your project.
Details
Preparation of a thesis proposal. Normally taken by students in the papers year for a Master’s degree in Geography by papers and thesis.
| Paper title | Master's Thesis Preparation |
|---|---|
| Paper code | GEOG495 |
| Subject | Geography |
| EFTS | 0.3333 |
| Points | 40 points |
| Teaching period(s) | Full Year
(On campus)
1st Non standard period (3 July 2023 - 24 June 2024) (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees (NZD) | $2,817.72 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Limited to
- MA, MSc
- Eligibility
- Enrolments for this paper require departmental permission. View more information about departmental permission.
- Contact
- geography@otago.ac.nz
- More information link
- View more information about GEOG 495
- Teaching staff
Supervisor: Each student will be supervised by a member of staff most relevant to the proposed area of research.
For further information please contact geography@otago.ac.nz
- Paper Structure
Guided by a supervisor, students will prepare a theoretical/literature review pertinent to their chosen topic, a review and critique of potential research strategies/approaches relevant to their topic, and a thesis proposal. They will also present two seminars on their research topic during the year. The written assignments and the presentations all contribute to the mark for the paper.
- Teaching Arrangements
Postgraduate seminars run by the School of Geography are relevant to the research process and are designed with GEOG 495 students in mind. Your attendance at these seminars is compulsory.
- Textbooks
- Textbooks are not required for this paper.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Ethics, Environmental
literacy, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete this paper will have learned the skills that they need to complete the second research-focused year of the programme.
