MTMRES: Dissertation: Research Project

Module code: MTMRES

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

Credits: 60

Level: Postgraduate Masters

When you'll be taught: Full year

Module convenor: Professor Nigel Arnell, email: n.w.arnell@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

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

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module requires the student to undertake an original research investigation. 

The broad aim of the module is to enable the student to acquire the skills needed for scientific research in assembling a body of information, undertaking a critical appraisal, and 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. 

The module provides students with the skills necessary to undertake an original research investigation. 

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Demonstrate an ability in project planning and constructing a realistic research design 
2. Demonstrate an ability to critically evaluate existing relevant research 
3. Demonstrate an ability to apply relevant and appropriate analysis techniques 
4. Demonstrate an ability to prepare a clear and concise report. 

Module content

Most of the module is undertaken by the student working independently on a specific research project Semester 2. This independent work is supplemented by generic professional skills training through the academic year :  

• introductory lectures(s) outlining key generic elements of expectations and project design (including library and referencing skills, and general meteorological research skills) 
• approximately 15 hours individual meetings with project supervisors 
• an unassessed short assignment 
• an unassessed oral presentation 
• an unassessed Forecasters’ training course (optional for CCAI students) 
• an unassessed short course on data and models (optional for AOC, AMC and AMCM students) 
• several unassessed sessions throughout the year on research skills such as referencing materials 

The specific format of the output is agreed with the project supervisor. This can include a classic dissertation, an article in a form consistent with publication in a refereed journal, and a client report. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Students are expected to workvery much independently in this module. 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 progress normally soon after the end of the Summer Term and will receive formative feedback. 

During the autumn and spring semesters, students receive training in relevant professional skills.

Study hours

At least 35 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.

Student oral presentation, with feedback to students 

Autumn term short written essay 

Reassessment

Additional costs