Semester 4
Semester 4 of the EMJMD ACES+ is dedicated to an industry-based research project. We work closely with the aquaculture industry throughout Europe and internationally, and we currently have over 25 companies working with us to provide dissertation placements.
Crucially, students will be responsible for generating their own research topics so that they can match these as closely as possible with their career goals and professional interests. Students will be divided equally (or as close as possible) between all the partner universities (i.e. SAMS-UHI, the Universities of Crete, Nantes or Radboud University), based on their choice of topic and availability of staff with the relevant research expertise. A 3-4 month dissertation will help students to investigate and evaluate a chosen aspect of the aquaculture industry. All projects will be presented at the Student Conference which is held during July of each year.

MODULE 10: Dissertation (30 ECTS)
Module Leader: Professor Elizabeth Cottier-Cook |
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Description |
The dissertation represents the culmination and demonstration of students’ learning. Students will gain experience of undertaking a sustained, rigorous and independent investigation of some aspect of the aquaculture industry, whether it is specifically involved with the culture of a particular species, or with a wider environmental or societal aspect of this industry.
The dissertation must consist of original work. It should be informed by the theoretical and practical knowledge, and expertise which the participant has developed through other modules and/or previous experience in this field. It should focus on a theme, topic or problem which is relevant to the aquaculture industry. The resulting dissertation should not only present and interpret the research findings, but should also evaluate the research design and methodology employed. It should also identify the outcomes of the research in terms of actual or planned developments and changes.
Indicative content includes:
Development Phase:
Research and Writing Phase:
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Teaching methods | Individual and group supervision meetings; 3-4 months fieldwork placement; group seminars during fieldwork |
Assessment | Written report (15,000 words max), plus 10 min oral presentation at Annual Student conference (100%) |