GV3PS-Research Skills and Project Management

Module Provider: Geography and Environmental Science
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2019/0

Module Convenor: Dr Steve Robinson

Email: j.s.robinson@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

THIS MODULE IS FOR BSc ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING (NUIST) STUDENTS ONLY

The module will teach the NUIST students how to conduct a successful research project at undergraduate level. It will run in parallel with, and supplement, GV3GED (Dissertation module) and will enable students to identify and articulate research questions and to design an experimental plan to answer those questions.

Aims:

To enable students to plan and execute research projects successfully.

Assessable learning outcomes:

At the end of the module students should have:

• -commenced, through analysis of the literature and following discussion with academics, a suitable research project. 


• -developed the skills to identify, assess and articulate their skills and interests in the context of research project execution.


• -the capacity to understand and communicate the background and experimental design of their project in a strong scientific context. 


• -the ability to set realistic timetables for research work and monitor their progress towards achieving goals.


• -learned how to evaluate their work for health and safety implications.

Additional outcomes:

Students will develop writing and critical analysis skills through the development of the project proposal, comprising hypotheses, expected outcomes and impact. 

Outline content:

This module will cover a number of skills of importance to planning a research project.

Seminars will cover the following topics:

• -surface, deep and strategic approaches to learning


• -information retrieval for research, using the library, referencing and reference management


• -critiquing journal articles  

Several members of academic staff involved in teaching and research in the environmental sciences within the Schools of Archaeology, Geography & Environmental Science and Agriculture, Policy & Development will give a seminar of their research area to give students an idea of the range of areas they will be able to research. Students will select a topic of interest and, in collaboration with the appropriate member of academic staff, will write a literature review that identifies a novel research question or hypothesis.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

This module will primarily be delivered by attendance at seminars and by small group tutorials. Additionally, individual study will be required to review the literature and develop the research plan.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Seminars	20
Tutorials	5
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)	10
Wider reading (directed)	20
Preparation for tutorials	10
Preparation for presentations	5
Preparation for seminars	10
Completion of formative assessment tasks	5
Group study tasks	5
Essay preparation	10
Total hours by term	100	0	0
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	80
Oral assessment and presentation	20

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

One 2000-word essay is required on a chosen research topic (80%).

Group seminars are used to cover some topics, which are assessed for presentation quality as well as content using the standard GES protocol. These are assessed (20%), each student receiving the same mark subject to confirmation of each student making an adequate contribution.

Formative assessment methods:

Peer-reviewed presentations and weblog to record the development of thoughts and skills.

Penalties for late submission:
The Module Convener will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day[1] (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;

where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A mark of 40% overall

Reassessment arrangements:

Resubmission of coursework

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 8 May 2019