MTMG99-Dissertation project

Module Provider: Meteorology
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: Prof Nigel Arnell
Email: n.w.arnell@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The aim of the dissertation is to enable the student to acquire the skills needed for scientific research in assembling a body of information and arriving at a critical appraisal of it and, if appropriate, carrying out original research and/or data analysis. A secondary aim is to help the student develop his/her own specific interests in their general field of study and it may also  be a preparation for research or other work in a particular field.

Aims:
The aim of the dissertation is to enable the student to acquire the skills needed for scientific research in assembling a body of information and arriving at a critical appraisal of it and, if appropriate, carrying out original research and/or data analysis. A secondary aim is to help the student develop his/her own specific interests in the general field of meteorology and it may also be a preparation for research or other work in a particular field.

Assessable learning outcomes:

At the end of this module the student should have demonstrated ability in the following areas:

• Project planning

• Assembly of a body of information on a particular topic including recent/current research using library and internet searches

• Editorial skill in organising and synthesising relevant material

• Critically reviewing published work; highlighting strengths and weaknesses of research in the chosen area

• Design of experiments (where appropriate)

• Data analysis (where appropriate)

• Use of relevant software packages

• Clear and concise report writing and organisation of written material

Additional outcomes:

The dissertation will give the student practical training in time management and enhance the student’s ability to work and learn independently.

Outline content:

The content of the dissertation depends on the topic undertaken.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Students are expected to work very much independently in this module. However, each student is assigned a project supervisor and students are expected to arrange progress meetings with supervisors on a regular basis (typically once a week). The supervisor is expected to read and comment on one draft of the thesis before final submission provided it is handed in according to an agreed schedule. Each student will give a brief, unassessed oral presentation of their project progr ess normally soon after the end of the Summer Term and will receive formative feedback.

Reading lists for meteorology modules are available here https://reading.rl.talis.com/departments/mps_met.html

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Project Supervision			15
Guided independent study:			585
Total hours by term	0	0	600
Total hours for module	600

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Dissertation	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

N/A.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Assessment is on the final report (75%, marked by two independent assessors) and a ‘supervisor mark’ (25%, based on student’s contribution over lifetime of the project).

Formative assessment methods:
Oral presentation with formative feedback is provided part way through the dissertation.

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:
Re-submission of dissertation up to a maximum of 12 months after the original submission deadline date.

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