1) Who can do a dissertation?

Any third year student registered in the Faculty of Science is eligible to take the Botany dissertation as an elective.

2) So could a Chemistry or Physics student apply to do a Botany dissertation?

Certainly, if they found a topic of interest and a suitable supervisor.

3) Will I need to have a particular level of academic achievement before I can do a dissertation?

No. Anyone can do a dissertation. Indeed it is a good idea for weak students to consider doing a dissertation as they can work more flexibly on it and can receive more support from their supervisor. The only potential problem would be if you have difficulty expressing yourself in English in which case you may find writing a dissertation relatively time-consuming.

4) What does one have to do in a  Botany Dissertation?

You will  have to write a dissertation on which you will be assessed. You will also have to give a 20 minute presentation on your topic. There are no lectures or formal instruction.

5) How can I choose a topic for dissertation?

No list of topics is circulated so you can make up your own.

6) How can I find a supervisor?

Once you have thought of an interesting topic, contact a member of staff whose research or teaching interests are related to the area of your topic. The connexion doesn't need to be too specific as members of staff will usually be happy to consider topics outside their immediate speciality, or can suggest another supervisor with more experience.

7) When will I have to do the dissertation?

You can choose to do the dissertation in the first or second semester. The deadlines for submission are usually set after the completion of exams in mid January or mid June, and the presentation will be arranged to take place at the same time.

8) No one has asked this question yet. Please feel free to add one.

9) Will doing a dissertation take up a lot of time?

Only if  you get too interested and spend hours and hours in the library reading lots of fascinating references.

10) Will doing a dissertation  interfere with my other courses?

Very unlikely unless you have really poor time management skills.

11) My grades are not very good but I am really interested in doing a dissertation.

This sounds like just the course for you.

12) I have thought of a topic, what should I do now?

Go and see a potential supervisor for an informal enquiry

13) I can't think of a topic but I would like to do a disssertation anyway.

Common problem, no problem. Go and see a member of staff whom you like, or are familiar with from your other courses, and explain your situation, they will be able to make helpful suggestions in most cases.

14) How do I contact a supervisor?

The easiest way is to send an email. All the email addresses of Botany staff can be obtained from the Department webpage. Alternatively you can go to the KBSB 6^th or 7^th floor or enquire via the Botany Departmental Office at 6S/16

15) Should I wait until I get my exam results in June?

As supervisors will be reluctant to accept too many dissertation students, if you have a strong preference for a particular area it may be better to contact the supervisor concerned sooner than later.

16) Term starts next week and I'm not happy with my course selection. Can I change to do a dissertation?

Yes, provided a supervisor still has space available you can opt for the dissertation up to the end of January (for 2nd sem)

17) How do I register for the dissertation?

After discussing the topic with a supervisor and the supervisor is willing to accept you, you will be able to select the dissertation as an option during your normal course selection procedure.

18) Are students ever rejected by a supervisor?

There are many reasons why a supervisor may be unwilling to accept a student. It is possible that the supervisor may already have accepted other students or the topic may be outside the supervisors experience.

19) What is the  difference between doing a project and a dissertation?

Doing a project requires a much greater commitment and also more ability. In a  project you will be undertaking original experimental research work in the laboratory. Doing a dissertation only involves writing about other peoples work you do not do any experiments! The project is a 12 credit course and lasts all year. Dissertation is a 6 credit course and takes 1 semester.

20) Can I do more than one dissertation?

Certainly. If you feel up to it the maximum number you can do is 3 (Botany diss., Ecology diss., & Zoology diss.)

21) What sort of topics are suitable for a dissertation?

A dissertation topic should be selected carefully to ensure that it is dealing with a topic of sufficient scientific merit on which there is a substantial body of published evidence. So that on one hand you must avoid a topic which is too trivial and on the other one which is  insufficiently studied or without available evidence for you to assess. The topic should also be the subject of current scientific enquiry not a well-established subject from a text-book.

22) What is the aim of writing a dissertation?

In writing a dissertation you should seek to examine in depth a scientific issue which is the subject of current research, this will allow you to examine the evidence and evaluate it to reach appropriate conclusions about the different theories and hypothesis proposed. You will also be able to suggest your own hypotheses on the basis of other's research work.

23) What will I need to include in a dissertation

You will need to cover the background of the subject, explain the concepts and theories involved. Present the main and key areas of evidence and where appropriate discuss any conflicting or contentious points.  You may also re-analyse data and present new interpretations by combining results from different sources to support your conclusions or suggestions.

24) How often will I need to see my supervisor?

This is a matter for the individual supervisors, but as an indication it has been my practice to see a student for a 1 hour tutorial session most weeks, during which the student would present a summary of references they had consulted on a particular point which would then form the basis for discussion.

25) What particular skills will I learn from doing a dissertation?

You will learn how to find references on a particular topic, how to analyse and assess published output and experimental data, how to prepare and write  a report, how to present data, how to evaluate theories and how to support your own judgement with appropriate evidence.

26) Will having done a dissertation be any use after I graduate?

Definetely. Most employers in commerce and government value precisely the skills that you will acquire during your dissertation course.