MT37BNU-General Studies (Nanjing)

Module Provider: Meteorology
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Prof Suzanne Gray
Email: s.l.gray@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

A seminar based module, looking at weather and climate stories which affect the wider world.

This module will be taught online, including remote participation in weekly seminars broadcast from Reading.

Aims:

This module aims to develop the student's awareness of environmental issues and ability to address problems not directly related to coursework. Another major aim is to equip students for the type of questions they may encounter in job interviews for weather and climate related positions.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module the student is expected to:

• demonstrate their general knowledge of weather and climate issues;


• be able to work in a team to produce a short presentation on a weather or climate related topic.

Additional outcomes:

Students will enhance their presentational skills and team-working skills.

Outline content:

Students attend weekly online Weather and Climate Discussions, which include presentations on a wide variety of environmental issues. The student will also contribute, as part of a team, to at least one online discussion. The student is encouraged to carry out general reading, especially from 'popular' journals such as ‘Weather’ and ‘New Scientist’, and to read weather and climate related stories in the media with a critical eye.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Students attend 20 fifty-minute online discussions during Autumn and Spring terms. Students receive advice and feedback on group presentations, delivered in the form of a video recording. Students are encouraged to develop their own opinions on issues such as climate change and the accuracy of weather forecasts and are expected to start applying their scientific knowledge to critically question weather and climate related stories present in the media.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	1
Seminars	10	10
Guided independent study:	39	40
Total hours by term	50	50	0
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	80
Oral assessment and presentation	20

Summative assessment- Examinations:

2 hours.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Group presentation on a topic with a strong relevance to a meteorological audience.

Formative assessment methods:

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:

40% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:

Resit General Paper.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 1 September 2021