Module: Climate & environmental sustainability research project

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Climate & environmental sustainability research project
Module Code	ENS1012
Faculty	History & Geography	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	15

Description

This capstone module requires students to complete an individual research project of approximately 10,000 words on a topic related to climate and environmental sustainability. Under the guidance of an academic supervisor, students will design and carry out an investigation, integrating relevant literature, applying appropriate research methods, and presenting their findings in a formal academic report. To support the successful completion of their project, students will participate in targeted workshops and seminars covering key research skills, including topic development, ethical research practice, literature review, project planning, data collection and analysis, academic writing, and research communication. The module includes opportunities for constructive feedback and reflective practice to support academic development.

Learning Outcomes

1. Critically analyse and interpret data and text
2. Critically analyse the relationship between natural and social sciences related to environmental challenges
3. Communicate effectively in writing and through discussions, debates and oral presentations in both teams and individually
4. Analyse real-world environmental data and solve problems to make reasoned decisions
5. Identify, retrieve, sort, and exchange information from a wide range of sources

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Workshop	24	Research workshops/tutorials Attendance and participation at workshops/tutorials
Independent Study	351	Planning, execution, and writing up of independant research project.
Total Workload: 375

Section Breakdown
CRN	10662	Part of Term	Semester 1 & 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Niamh Cullen	Module Teacher	Gránia Shanahan

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Report(s)	Research Report: Completion of c. 10,000 word research project	70%	As required
Presentation	Research Presentation: Completion of oral presentation on research	15%	As required
Assignment	Practical activities Completion of practical activities/exercises to ensure timely completion of research project	15%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Indicative Reading List

Books:
None

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None