Module Catalogue 2026/27

Pre Requisite Comment

Registration on the WIRe CDT at one of the programme Universities or approval of the module leader.

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

To acquire and demonstrate understanding of transferable skills designed to enhance both personal and research effectiveness.

To equip students in the WIRe programme with the skills required to complete their thesis and to move on into industry or academia.

In this module the students will, through lectures, seminars and example classes, as well as through private study, develop the skills required to be able to write a competent thesis, plan their strategic career path, and articulate themselves through written and online oral communication towards successful funding bids and interviews.

Outline Of Syllabus

This module is taught as a block mode to WIRe year 4 PhD students. The outline of the syllabus is as follows:-

Thesis and Viva preparation
Career planning and development
Writing grant and funding bids
Interview and interviewing skills

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

On successful completion of this module, students should have an understanding of:-

1. Plan in detail their thesis write-up process and understand the elements of a high quality PhD thesis
2. Appreciate the variety of career paths open to them and plan appropriate career progression strategies.
3. Compose an articulate and convincing bid for research or development funding.
4. Understand and demonstrate proficiency in being effective on both sides of an interview situation.
5. Have a successful career in the water industry as an academic or as an employee of a large or small enterprise.

Intended Skill Outcomes

On successful completion of this module, students should have achieved the following skills:-

1. Demonstrate the ability to write a scientific thesis and credible research proposal.
2. Demonstrate the ability to present and defend oneself and ones ideas in an interview or analogous situation, and to be able to orally examine and interview others.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

A number of lectures are required to impart basic concepts, these must be supported by private reading and practice (eg on proposal writing). The private writing is best evaluated in a small group teaching format and skills such as interviewing can be undertaken in a group activity (students interview each other or evaluate each others' proposals).

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Proposals provide the opportunity for students to practise their skills in written articulation.
Interviews provide the opportunity for students to practise their oral skills in an interview setting, from both an interviewer and interviewee perspective; this in turn will allow students to evaluate other students' proposals in line with their own.
Tutorial discussion provides the opportunity for students to develop an understanding of formulating an approach to gain maximum impact on funding bodies, etc.

General Notes

N/A