Module GEOL4053: RESEARCH PROJECT

Department: Earth Sciences

GEOL4053: RESEARCH PROJECT

Tied To

• F601: (programme not found)

Pre-requisites

Corequisites

Excluded Combinations

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