Module GEOL4053: RESEARCH PROJECT

Department: EARTH SCIENCES

GEOL4053: RESEARCH PROJECT

Prerequisites

• Dissertation module (GEOL3022).

Corequisites

• Literature Review (GEOL4071).

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To develop research skills in Earth Sciences via the completion of a significant piece of individual research.

Content

• The student will undertake a field or laboratory based research project in the Earth Sciences normally reflecting the research interests of staff within the department.
• Projects are conceived by students in conjunction with staff, risk assessed and supervised by members of staff.
• Students are expected to attend departmental research seminars to broaden their knowledge of Earth Sciences related topics and improve their presentation skills.

Learning Outcomes

• Will have acquired subject knowledge and understanding in geological principles, terms, definitions and classifications.

• To be able to plan and execute an independent piece of research and communicate the results of this research effectively in written and verbal forms.
• Will have acquired intellectual and practical skills necessary to plan, conduct and report on mix of laboratory and field projects.
• Will have acquired intellectual and practical skills to formulate and test concepts and hypotheses
• Will have acquired intellectual and practical skills to observe, record accurately and account for geological features in the laboratory and in the field.
• Will have acquired intellectual and practical skills to synthesise information/data from a variety of sources.
• Will have acquired intellectual and practical skills to analyse, evaluate/interpret geological data.
• Will have acquired intellectual and practical skills in citation and appropriate use of the literature.

• Receive and respond to a variety of information sources.
• Communicate effectively to a variety of audiences in written, verbal and graphical forms.
• Prepare, process, interpret and present data using appropriate qualitative and quantitative techniques and packages.
• Use the internet critically as a means of communication and a source of information.
• Identify individual and collective goals and responsibilities.
• Develop skills necessary for self-managed lifelong learning (including independent working, time management).
• Identify and work towards targets for personal, academic and career development.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Students will receive a one hour introductory lecture on the planning and execution of research projects, plus extensive written guidance materials, plus at least 6 one hour tutorials from the research supervisor(s) that cover time-management, planning, presentation skills and giving a good seminar.
• The projects are summatively assessed via the production of a written report and a seminar, usually in the presence of one of the external examiners.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University