ACE8099 : Earth and Environmental Science Research Project
- Offered for Year: 2022/23
- Module Leader(s): Dr Simon Peacock
- Owning School: Natural and Environmental Sciences
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 30 |
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 30 |
| ECTS Credits: | 30.0 |
Aims
To give students the opportunity to undertake a research investigation equivalent to a short scientific research investigation or consultancy project. Projects will involve the need to clearly define aims and objectives that enable the objectives to be met, analyse the data and/or information collected and prepare a report of the investigation which should include a critical review of the relevant literature.
Outline Of Syllabus
Students have the opportunity to carry out a research investigation on a topic of their choice relevant to environmental science. They will work together with a member of academic staff to carry out an investigation equivalent to a short scientific research investigation or consultancy project. Students will select project titles and identify an appropriate supervisor at the end of Semester 2, Stage 3.
During Semesters 1 & 2, students work individually with the support of their supervisors on the projects. However, there are also regular group tutorials to consolidate library and information literacy skills - as well as to discuss the process of project research throughout Semesters 1 and 2.
The thesis is submitted at the end of the Spring Term and oral presentations are given to the whole group in the second week after Easter.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 5 | 1:00 | 5:00 | Online lecture materials |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 40:00 | 40:00 | Preparing and writing project progress report |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 3:00 | 3:00 | Preparing and writing oral presentation |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 120:00 | 120:00 | Preparing and writing final dissertation report |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 1 | 75:00 | 75:00 | Recommended reading texts around project |
| Structured Guided Learning | Academic skills activities | 5 | 1:00 | 5:00 | non-synchronous skills practice |
| Guided Independent Study | Skills practice | 5 | 5:00 | 25:00 | Skills practice |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 10 | 1:00 | 10:00 | PiP - Tutorials |
| Guided Independent Study | Project work | 1 | 250:00 | 250:00 | Student led research eg fieldwork, lab work, survey |
| Structured Guided Learning | Structured non-synchronous discussion | 5 | 1:00 | 5:00 | Project discussion |
| Guided Independent Study | Reflective learning activity | 5 | 5:00 | 25:00 | Reflective learning |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 2 | 1:00 | 2:00 | PiP - Drop in sessions |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Dissertation/project related supervision | 5 | 1:00 | 5:00 | PiP - project supervision |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 24:00 | 24:00 | Independent study |
| Guided Independent Study | Online Discussion | 5 | 1:00 | 5:00 | Online discussion with project supervisor |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Module talk | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | PiP - Module talk |
| Total | 600:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Tutorials early in Semester 1 will consolidate academic library skills, including searching of databases and referencing. Library staff will support this process and attend at least one tutorial to provide guidance to the students. Tutorials continue throughout Semester 1 and 2 to provide a forum for discussion of general project issues.
The majority of the project work is done individually with the support of a member of academic staff as supervisor. Interpersonal skills will be developed during this phase and the students will take responsibility for the development and running of their own project, with support from the supervisor. Meetings with supervisors provide an opportunity to receive guidance and require the student to reflect on progress achieved and to plan the next phase of work.
Seminars at the end of the projects, where students summarise the key elements of their project in an oral presentation, also attended by the Stage 3 students provide students with an opportunity to share ideas and experiences.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Presentation | 20 | 2 | M | 5 | Due 2nd week after Easter vacation |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dissertation | 2 | M | 65 | Dissertation, usually no more than 9000 words but maybe permitted to 11000 words. As draft scientific paper or consultancy report. |
| Report | 2 | M | 20 | Literature review and project progress report, including draft intro and methods, together with future work plan. Up to 5000 words |
| Report | 2 | M | 10 | Supervisor's report on project process at submission |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
Students are required to submit a literature review and project progress report. This provides an opportunity for direct feedback on the underpinning literature review, guidance on early sections of the report and evaluation of the work plan for the second semester. The progress reports are marked by the module leader; an overview of the issues raised will be used to allow general learning points to be explored in the project tutorials.
The supervisor provides an assessment of the student's capacity to plan and carry out the project work and then draw together the findings into a coherent academic report. Students will be expected to have demonstrated these capabilities during meetings throughout the project with their supervisor.
The thesis (presented as either a draft scientific paper or consultancy report for a client) is assessed independently by two markers to determine the extent to which the student has
i) clearly defined aims and objectives, with reference to a testable hypothesis where appropriate
ii) designed experiments or surveys that enable the objectives to be met,
iii) analysed and interpreted the data and/or information collected
iv) prepared a report of the investigation which includes evaluation in the light of a critical review of the relevant literature.
The ability to communicate clearly and unambiguously will be considered.
The oral presentation to other students in the seminar assesses the ability of the students to summarise a large volume of material, identify the key points and present approaches, data and conclusions in a succinct manner understandable to the non-expert. It takes place before the final hand in so peer feedback can be used to inform the discussion /conclusions.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- ACE8099's Timetable