MT4RP: Research Project

Module code: MT4RP

Module provider: Meteorology; School of Mathematical, Physical and Computational Sciences

Credits: 40

Level: Level 4 (Undergraduate Masters)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1 / 2

Module convenor: Dr Liz Stephens, email: elisabeth.stephens@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded: IN TAKING THIS MODULE YOU CANNOT TAKE MT3RP (Compulsory)

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The dissertation module represents a major piece of independent study, developing oral, report writing, and presentation skills 

This module aims to develop the student’s research skills from the experience of carrying out a piece of supervised work on a selected topic relevant to the student’s chosen degree registration. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an ability to carry out research on a specialist topic;
2. Demonstrate acquisition of ‘expert knowledge’ relating to a particular scientific issue;
3. Prepare a dissertation in the style of a scientific paper suitable for publication;
4. Present results in oral presentations, suitable for a scientific audience;
5. Enhance their presentation skills and their use of library and IT resources;
6. Respond to constructive criticism and peer review.

Module content

Students select a topic from a list available at the end of semester 2 of part 3 or they may choose their own topic subject to the Convenor’s approval. A reading list is issued by the project supervisor before the end of part 2. During the semester 1 of part 4, the student reviews relevant literature and begins the experimental phase of the project. The student produces a graphic summary towards the end of semester 1. During the semester 2 of part 4, the student completes the experimental phase of the project and prepares their dissertation and a video presentation. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Self-learning supported by regular meetings with the Project Supervisor. The student is also provided with written advice on matters relating to the preparation of scientific papers, oral and poster presentations. 

Study hours

At least 22 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 50% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• 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 three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/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.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

• Draft Literature Review (or similar): Semester 1 Week 9 
• Graphical Summary: Semester 1 Week 12 
• Draft Dissertation: Semester 2 Week 7 

Reassessment

Additional costs