3 ECTS credits
84 h study time
Offer 1 with catalog number 1023173BER for all students in the 1st semester at a (B) Bachelor - advanced level.
In this course, students carry out one common research project in which theoretical concepts and practical skills from different disciplines in geography are applied in an integrated way for studying a complex geographical/spatial problem of societal relevance. Students split up in groups and define a specific research topic that fits within the broadly defined theme that has been chosen for the projec t(e.g. climate change, mobility, food supply,...). They define a suitable research strategy, identify individual tasks and responsibilities, carry out the research and critically interpret the results obtained. During the entire research process, students discuss their progress with peers and with the educational team. Through follow-up meetings and presentations, transversality in research designand synergy in carrying out the research is encouraged. At the end of the project, students present their results in a scientific format (paper, oral presentation, poster) as well as in a format targeting a non-specialized audience (e.g. flyer, policy-oriented report, website, video).
Reading material and additional information is made available on Canvas.
After completing the course, the student will have acquired the following competences:
- being aware of and being able to successfully carry out the different phases of a research project under the supervision of an educational team, from defining research questions and formulating hypotheses, to setting up an appropriate research design, defining and applying appropriate methods for data analysis, and critically interpreting obtained results;
- being able to identify and analyze the multiple dimensions of a geographical/spatial problem of a certain complexity based on expertise in different subfields of geography;
- being able to identify the essence of a geographical/spatial problem, to critically reflect on it, with consideration of the broader context;
- being able to integrate non-geographical knowledge in a spatial frame of thinking;
- being able to collect and synthesize relevant scientific literature;
- being able to critically assess the quality, fitness for use and the limitations of data collected from different sources;
- being able to carry out a project in a professional way, take up responsibilities in a team and respect practical arrangements;
- being able to synthesize and report research outcomes in a critical and scientifically soundway, using scientific formats (paper, poster, scientific presentation) as well as formats targeting a broader, non-specialized audience.
The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Other Exam determines 100% of the final mark.
Within the Other Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:
The evaluation consists of three parts:
Scientific reporting of the research (40%)
Research process (follow-up during the semester) (40%)
Presentation of research results (20%)
Presence during the practical sessions is mandatory. Non-authorized absence is taken into account in the evaluation of the research process and may result in course failure.
This offer is part of the following study plans:
Bachelor of Geography: Default track (only offered in Dutch)