BIMPLACS-MSc SISS Placement

Module Provider: School of Biological Sciences
Number of credits: 60 [30 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Summer term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Jonathan Mitchley
Email: j.mitchley@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module provides the student with the opportunity to carry out work with a professional Ecological Consultancy. The student will work as directed by the consultant, carrying out surveys, tendering for projects, writing reports etc.  To achieve these ends the student will need to draw on much of the material learned during the preceding two terms.

Aims:

This module provides the student with the opportunity to carry out work with a professional Ecological Consultancy. The student will work as directed by the consultant, the student will work as directed by the consultant, carrying out surveys, tendering for projects, writing reports etc.  To achieve these aims the student will need to draw on much of the material learned during the preceding two terms.

Assessable learning outcomes:

• Carry out work, both field and desk related, to the standard required by a professional Ecological Consultancy;


• Interact and work with colleagues in a satisfactory manner in the office and the field;


• Present the results of their placement in the form of a portfolio.

Additional outcomes:

• The module will also provide the student with the opportunity to operate as part of an Ecological Consultancy and to learn first-hand what is required to work in the sector;


• Identify a wide range of species under field conditions;


• Display initiative under office and field conditions.

Outline content:

The precise content of the module will vary depending on the consultancy in question and the contract work secured. In all cases, however, the student will be expected to carry out field and desk-based work on a variety of projects.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The students will learn what is required to work within the ecological consultancy sector first-hand. The student will be required to carry out studies as directed by the consultancy, they will also need to show the level of initiative required to carry out field work and to collect the data and carry out desk based assessment and analyses.  The students will summarise their experience throughout their placement in the form of a critical portfolio. Students will maintain contact with the module convenor and other University staff as required for advice during the placement and the writing up.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Work-based learning			600
Guided independent study:	0	0	0
Total hours by term	0	0	600
Total hours for module	600

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Portfolio	40
Oral assessment and presentation	20
Practical skills assessment	40

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Portfolio of placement activity (40%)

Performance report from the consultancy (40%)

Oral presentation (20%)

Formative assessment methods:

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%

Reassessment arrangements:

To be discussed with module convenor.

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:  

Last updated: 30 March 2023