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: 2020/1

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. A significant proportion of the module will be dedicated to scientific writing skills.

Aims:

To enable students to plan, execute and write up their 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 at NUIST and Reading,  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 str ong 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.


• an aptitude to write clearly and concisely, using a simple, direct and unambiguous style - both at sentence and paragraph levels.

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:

Lectures and seminars will cover the following topics:

• Student support at Department, School and University levels


• Health and Safety in laboratories


• Searching and using the correct literature


• Designing and managing a research project


• Scientific writing in English and other means of communicating research aims and outputs

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
Lectures	15
Seminars	10
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)	10
Wider reading (directed)	20
Preparation for presentations	5
Preparation for seminars	20
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	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Three, 500-word  assignments

Formative assessment methods:

Students also have the opportunity to anonymously peer-review draft coursework in order to improve their scientific writing skills.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres 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 (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: 10 November 2020