Dissertation preparation: top tips for choosing a dissertation topic in geosciences
Summary
We asked Brandon, a third-year BSc Geology student, to share his advice on choosing a dissertation topic from a student's perspective.
When my dissertation was first introduced in a preparation talk, our course organiser described it as a ‘personally challenging but rewarding experience’. I must agree with this so far; I am in the planning stage of my dissertation, and whilst building a solid idea has been quite challenging, it has been an enjoyable experience.
What is the purpose of a dissertation?
The pivotable moment in your senior honours year is your dissertation, combining all your knowledge and effort from the first three years at university, resulting in an independent exercise to test, develop and excel in your degree programme. The skills you gain from conducting your own research are beneficial to you as an academic, allowing you to gain skills in project design and proposals, testing and experimenting with hypotheses and writing a high-quality, detailed report.
Across the different degree programmes within the School of GeoSciences, there are varied requirements and briefs for dissertations.
Some courses, like BSc Environmental Geoscience, have lab-based projects where samples will be collected in the summer before your 4th year, followed by research and lab work to answer a programme-relevant question.
Other degrees may just have written research projects.
I am taking BSc Geology (which has now been restructured as our Earth Science degrees), and will be doing a mapping dissertation. This means that for my final dissertation, I will do a minimum of 28 days of fieldwork to geologically map an area during the summer before my 4th year, followed by potential lab work, thesis write-ups and finalisation of maps during term time in my last year. Logistically, I must organise transport and accommodation during my project and collect suitable data, samples and notebook logs. But remember, not every dissertation project has to be the same.
For example, degrees in Earth Sciences now allow students to choose between field or lab-based projects. Even field-based mapping dissertations can vary; some may map a smaller area if they have a specific question in mind. For some projects, dissertations can be long and very detailed. I have seen examples that last nearly 80 A4 pages, containing typed content, graphs/diagrams, photographs and maps!
The question that everyone has though is: how do I choose what to base my dissertation on?
How do you choose a Geoscience dissertation topic?
Let me tell you, you can take many different perspectives on this.
The very nature of doing a degree in Geoscience means that research areas can cover various current and potential issues worldwide. An Environmental Geoscientist may want to do a project that analyses soil in an urban area; their project may cover the problem of pollution that is becoming increasingly relevant in this current climate. A student reading BSc Geography may decide to do a project on hazard management, taking a qualitative and quantitative approach. Our degrees can and will cover these critical areas, which may fuel inspiration for some projects. In addition, some students may want to base their project on something they read in a scientific journal, completely outside of any topic covered within the core curriculum.
Scientific research is evolving daily within the university and worldwide, and that means there is simply so much to research and learn.
You’ll never be out of ideas.
For example, my flatmate is a computer scientist, and his ongoing dissertation covers the realms of using AI to help model medical-use prosthetics; topics like this, much like topics in Geoscience, are still theoretical and excitingly unknown. Who knows, your project could lead to the next research breakthrough in Geoscience! Never leave those burning questions to fizzle out.
How did I choose my dissertation topic?
My dissertation will lean into more of a personal-interest perspective.
I plan to map an area with metamorphic and igneous rocks, which I find very interesting and enjoyable to study, with the goal of looking for any interesting geological features. So, whatever you have interests in, consider basing your project on this. Your drive and interests are what motivate you through this personal project.
Every dissertation at the university will have a member of staff tied to it. Your advisor is your first point of contact whilst doing your project. When the time comes, discuss potential ideas with staff members who may have ties to your subject of interest.
A staff member may be prepared to be your advisor and assist you throughout your dissertation. But remember, it’s your project – you oversee its direction, and an advisor is there to help and advise. It may seem daunting, but the university has staff who are happy to give tips and discuss ideas alongside multiple resources available to you during your project!
My top tips for choosing a dissertation topic in Geosciences:
1. Pick a topic that aligns with your interests
It is so important that you find your project both enjoyable and interesting. Make sure that whatever you base it on is something you will happily research, read and write about for a decent part of your final year.
2. Make use of those around you
Staff in the School of Geosciences all have their areas of research. During your time here, make use of having them around. They are more than happy to answer questions, discuss their research further and give advice. Academic staff have mountains of advice on projects, so remember that people have asked for their opinions for many years prior!
3. Plan early
If you start thinking about little ideas early, it will greatly benefit you when the time comes to begin the dissertation planning stage. Little ideas can evolve into a great project! Always remember to note down your interests.
4. Do not overcomplicate your main question
We all would love to write a super detailed, complex project, but this may be more harmful than you realise. A super complicated question may require extra time, resources and energy to complete. Remember, we are not professionals yet; we are still learning for our degrees. Burnout is real, and a super complex project may lead to it if you aren’t careful. Stick with what is realistic, and you will still succeed.
5. Have fun!
At the start of this blog, I quoted my lecturer: our dissertations are a ‘personally challenging but rewarding experience’. Make sure that whatever you do, you do so in a manner you enjoy. Take time for yourself or your social life. Our projects should be fun, not a burden. Picking questions that you feel truly interested in, alongside managing your time well, should turn your project into a fun, rewarding challenge.
Share
