This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.

Undergraduate Handbook 2010-2011 (archived)

Module GEOL4091: EARTH SCIENCES INTO SOCIETY

Department: Earth Sciences

GEOL4091: EARTH SCIENCES INTO SOCIETY

Type	Level	Credits	Availability	Module Cap	Location
Open	4	20	Available in 2010/2011	None.	Durham

Pre-requisites

Satisfactory completion of compulsory modules of chosen program. For Natural Sciences (BSc and MSci) at least two Level 3 modules in Earth Sciences.

Corequisites

None.

Excluded Combinations

None.

Aims

To provide an opportunity for students to enhance their employment potential by working with our industrial partners on projects that give experience of the business environment, entrepreneurship and enterprise.

Content

Taught component To provide training in the principles of team working, communication(written, spoken, visual communication), project management and delivery, effective teamwork, preparing a finished product and portfolio preparation, public understanding of Earth Science. This is potentially non-generic and could also be used for postgraduates.
Desk - based project A small multi-disciplinary group will work on a problem or project (real or simulation) provided by the “client“. For example: hydrocarbon exploration targets, mineral deposit assays, environmental impact assessments for major planning applications. There will be clear deliverables to the client. The groups will develop the brief, work strategy and prepare and present a solution. Students would be required to demonstrate communication and management skills: in liaising with their “client“, in working within their group and in the effectiveness of the finished product.
Presentation A day of project presentations will be made to all clients and mentors involved with the module. Formative feedback will be provided to groups on their presentations to allow students to better construct their final reports.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge

Subject-specific Skills

Key Skills

Gain experience in working with external organizations.
Identify content, concepts and resources required to solve a client - led problem.
Have a training in teamwork, communication and outreach.
Recognise the importance of self evaluation, personal and continued professional development in life long learning.

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

This module is concerned principally with the development of a range of interpersonal skills and professional competencies expected of an earth scientist working in industry, rather than with specific disciplinary subject content. Existing knowledge and learning will be utilised when working on industry-based projects. The range of outcomes will be built into an assessed DUO —based portfolio and include a project report, group presentation, a learning log of the students’ experience and a reflective report. In this way the assessment method provides a variety of evidence of the attainment of the learning outcomes.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity	Number	Duration	Total Hours	Attendance Monitored
Meetings with the client	3	3 hours	9	Yes
Tutorials with mentor	10	1 hour	10	Yes
Key skills workshops	5	3 hours	15	Yes
Presentation day	1	1 day	6	Yes
Project work			160
Total			200

Summative Assessment

Component	Component Weighting	Element	Element Weighting
Reflective report on student's experience	10%	Report and Learning Log	100%
End of Module Report	60%	Report	100%
End of Module Oral Presentation	20%	Presentation	100%
Client and Mentor Assessments	10%	Client and Mentor Assessments	100%

Formative Assessment

Formative assessment will be provided through tutorials and discussion.

Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University.