PROGRESSIVE DEVELOPMENT OF DEEP LEARNING-SKILLS THROUGH UNDERGRADUATEAND POSTGRADUATE DISSERTATIONS

A dissertation is an integral part of Higher National Diploma (HND), B achelor of Science with Honours (BSc(Hons)) and taught Master of Scien ce (MSc) programmes and should reflect differences in learning styles as appropriate to each level. The dissertation requirements and assess ment procedures within ten environment-related undergraduate and postg raduate programmes were examined using the 'framework' approach. Two t hemes were examined in detail: a quantitative evaluation of characteri stics which define the physical dimensions of the dissertation; and a qualitative analysis of the academic rationale, aims, objectives and l earning outcomes, as well as the associated assessment criteria. It is possible to differentiate between levels in terms of these two themes . There were greater similarities between the dissertations at HND and BSc(Hons) levels than between BSc(Hons) and MSc levels. Each disserta tion occupies a separate, distinct place along a progressive developme nt of a deep learning style.