Module GEOL3271: Dissertation: Communicating Popular Science

Department: Earth Sciences

GEOL3271: Dissertation: Communicating Popular Science

Prerequisites

• Students must have undertaken two modules in Earth Sciences at Level 2

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• GEOL3022

Aims

• To acquire through a review of scientific literature, a systematic, coherent and detailed knowledge in an area of Earth Science.
• An ability to critically review this knowledge and gain an awareness of the limitations of that knowledge.
• To represent that knowledge in a form suitable for public understanding.

Content

• The dissertation will be in the form of a review of existing literature on a subject chosen by the students to suit their interests and background. Topics will be aligned to current research themes within the Department.
• The dissertation will take the form of an article for a popular science magazine (e.g. New Scientist, Nature News and Views) and thus will focus on the public understanding of science.
• Instruction and guidance will be given on researching the literature, report preparation and presentation.

Learning Outcomes

• The student will learn how to collect, categorise and critically evaluate information from a range of sources to present a systematic, coherent and concise summary of the field using a range of scholastic skills.
• Will acquire an understanding of core principles, hypotheses and concepts and the terminology in the chosen area of study.

• To be able to plan and execute an independent piece of literature-based research and communicate the results of this research effectively in written form.
• To be able to critically assess research and present information from a wide variety of interdisciplinary sources into a coherent and concise summary.
• To be able to present and explain various points of view in a particular field, recognising and respecting the views of others and being aware of cultural diversity.
• To argue and justify a particular preferred position; and where necessary to formulate new hypotheses, opinions, concepts or recommendations.
• Will have acquired a knowledge of intellectual property rights and appropriate use of sources.
• Communicate effectively to a variety of audiences.

• In addition to subject specific skills this module will give students an appreciation of the value of education and geoscience to society. Students will develop through enquiry-led learning a range of graduate qualities valued by employers:
• critical analysis,
• research capability,
• engage with the professional world,
• scholarship,
• practical competency,
• independent learning,
• numeracy,
• IT skills,
• information skills,
• literacy Initiative and drive,
• innovation and creativity,
• problem solving,
• time management,
• continuing personal development,
• adapting to change,
• ethical sensitivity,
• international and local perspective,
• cultural awareness,
• commercial awareness,
• environmental awareness,
• continuing personal development .

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

• Students will receive instruction in the planning and execution of literature reviews, writing for the public and will receive through DUO extensive guidance materials. Tutorials will review progress, focus and the presentation of material. The literature review will be summatively assessed via the production of a portfolio including the written report with full bibliography in Endnote and an online blog.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Performed during project supervisor and marking extended plan of the dissertation.

■ 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