GVMRP-Research Project

Module Provider: Geography and Environmental Science
Number of credits: 60 [30 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Spring / Summer term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Dr Jess Neumann
Email: j.l.neumann@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module provides training in the skills required to devise, carry out and report a natural/ social science-based project.

Aims:

The project, which may be in any appropriate area of Environmental Pollution or Environmental Management, is intended to provide training in the skills required to devise, carry out and report a natural/ social science-based project. 

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of this module the student will be able to:

• constructively criticise the research of others


• formulate research questions and hypotheses


• design a research campaign and collect data to test those hypotheses


• maintain a logically organised record of research activities


• prepare a logically structured paper documenting their project.

Additional outcomes:
Students will develop time-management skills and experience at holding discussion meetings with project supervisors. Depending on their project topic, students will gain experience of good laboratory and field work practice in the form of risk assessments, COSSH forms, ethics forms, determining laboratory and analytical requirements, booking facilities and ordering reagents.

Outline content:
In the Spring term the ground work for the project is carried out in a series of introductory lecture / seminar sessions which cover:
- an overview of the scientific research being carried out in the department,
- examples of projects previously carried out by MSc students,
- a timetable for submission of outline project proposals, presentation and discussion of these proposals and final determination of the project,
- what to record in, and how to organise a project book.

Students will produce a critique of a previous MSc research project.

Individual help will be given to students in formulating projects and identifying supervisors.

In the summer term the students carry out their research project.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The lecture / seminar sessions are at the beginning of the Spring term. An introduction to the module is provided in week 2. A critique of a previous MSc project is carried out by students in pairs / small groups in week 3 and a potential project list is released. Supervisors are formally identified. Students give a 5 minute presentation on their proposed project topic in week 7 and submit a draft project proposal in week 9. Formative feedback is provided by supervisors on project ideas. By w eek 11 of the Spring term project plans are firmly established by submission of a project proposal to the module convenor stating the project title, aims of the project, project supervisor, methods to be used, estimated number of samples and a timetable for the work. This project plan is discussed first with the project supervisor in order to make sure it is realistic. 



Early in the summer term a 2000 word literature review on the topic is produced. Projects will be submitted in August and a 15 minute presentation on the project given to the Department in September. 

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		3
Tutorials		3
Project Supervision			24
Guided independent study:			570
Total hours by term		6	594
Total hours for module	600

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	20
Dissertation	80

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

The literature review is worth 20 % of the total, the research paper 80 % of the total.

Formative assessment methods:
Formative feedback is provided on a 2-page project proposal

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy £Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes£, which can be found here: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf
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: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/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:
50% overall

Reassessment arrangements:
Failed projects may be resubmitted the following year.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: 

2) Specialist equipment or materials: 

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 

4) Printing and binding: 

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: 

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: Depending on the project topic, there may be additional costs incurred by the student for travel, accommodation and subsistence in support of their project

Last updated: 22 September 2022