APMA111-Research Project: Agriculture, Ecology and Environment

Module Provider: School of Agriculture, Policy and Development
Number of credits: 120 [60 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites: APMA110 Research Methods: Agriculture, Ecology and Environment and APMA112 Issues in Agriculture, Ecology and Environment
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Jake Bishop
Email: j.bishop@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Conduct an in-depth 30-week research project in a specialist area relating to agriculture, ecology and environment. In this entirely practical module you will develop a project on a topic that most interests you. You will work with an academic from the School to plan, design, train in key skills, conduct research and statistically analyse your project, and write up your findings as a scientific paper.

Aims:
To develop students' research skills to enable them to conduct research projects successfully and independently. To identify a suitable topic, perform a programme of research to answer a hypothesis or research question and analyse the results. To perform statistical or qualitative analysis of the data and reach a conclusion about the results. To write up the results of the research in the form of a scientific report suitable for publication.

Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of the module the students will be able to:
' Apply the content from the pre-requisite taught modules to the investigation of a relevant research question.
' Critically appraise the relevant scientific literature and their own data.
' Develop research aims and objectives
' Demonstrate skill in data analysis, interpretation and accurate reporting of scientific methodology and results.
' Produce a report which communicates a research project and its findings, demonstrating reasoned discussion of results in the context of the subject area.
' Clearly convey the outcomes of their research by means of an oral presentation.

Additional outcomes:
The development of time management and problem-solving skills.

Outline content:

A small number of lectures will introduce the module in the autumn term. A topic will be chosen at the end of the autumn term in collaboration with the programme director and an academic working in your chosen research field. The student will complete a 3000-word literature review of the subject area, to be completed during the spring term, before forming a hypothesis and devising a programme of work written up as a 2-page project proposal. Training in the specific field/laboratory/data analysis techniques and methods needed for the project will be provided. Students will work on their own research project with close supervision and regular meetings to provide feedback and to discuss results. Students will communicate their project via a 15-minute oral presentation describing their project hypothesis and data.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Meetings with supervisor and guided research.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	3
Project Supervision	5	20	8
Guided independent study:		572	600
Total hours by term	8	592	608
Total hours for module	1200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	25
Report	65
Oral assessment and presentation	10

Summative assessment- Examinations:

N/A

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:
Literature review due in during the spring term before commencing practical work.
Oral presentation during 30-week Project.

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:
A mark of 50 overall.

Reassessment arrangements:
Re-submission of a project report.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:  None

2) Specialist equipment or materials:  None

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:  None

4) Printing and binding:  None

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  None

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  None

Last updated: 30 March 2023