- Offered for Year: 2022/23
- Module Leader(s): Dr Guenther Uher
- Lecturer: Professor Pip Moore, Professor Clare Fitzsimmons, Dr Heather Sugden, Dr Sarah Coulthard, Dr Sara Marsham
- Owning School: Natural and Environmental Sciences
- Teaching Location: Mixed Location
Semesters
|
Semester 1 Credit Value:
|
20
|
|
Semester 2 Credit Value:
|
20
|
|
ECTS Credits:
|
20.0
|
Aims
The module provides students with the opportunity to practice their use of the scientific method by formulating hypotheses and testing them. To encourage students to consolidate their organisational skills by giving them the responsibility for designing and running their own project through the preparation of an initial project proposal, carrying out laboratory, field or desk-based investigations and writing up their findings as a substantive report. To apply and consolidate skills learnt in a number of other modules, in particular the procedures for developing and recording research in Academic and Professional Skills for the Biosciences, Research and Employability Skills and Marine Practical Skills 1 and 2.
Students have the opportunity to develop their research skills in a research project that focuses on a particular aspect of Marine Science research that interests them. Students elect to undertake this project under the supervision of a member of academic staff. They have the opportunity to take responsibility for their own project and further develop their organisational and scientific writing skills.
Outline Of Syllabus
Working independently the students will revise their research project proposal, previously developed in Stage 2 module MST2204 Research and Employability Skills. Proposal sections, including the background to the research, methodology and approach, a GANTT chart to demonstrate the proposed programme of research and risk assessments will be refined in discussion with their Supervisor. They will research the scientific literature relevant to their chosen subject area and will prepare an extended critical essay. They will identify or develop appropriate methodology and identify suitable statistical analyses to be used in their research project study. They will undertake independent research, in partnership with an external organisation, to test their hypotheses and record all their work in a Research Project notebook. They will produce a full write-up of their project using the form of a scientific paper. They will prepare and deliver an oral presentation on their research project as part of a ‘Scientific Conference’.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category |
Activity |
Number |
Length |
Student Hours |
Comment |
|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 60:00 | 60:00 | Literature Review preparation |
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Preparation for lecture |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 7:00 | 7:00 | Scientific Conference presentation preparation |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 4 | 1:00 | 4:00 | N/A |
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 3 | 1:30 | 4:30 | Preparation for lectures |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Formative Conference abstract completion |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Introduction to the module. |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 18:00 | 18:00 | Research Project notebook completion |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 72:00 | 72:00 | Research Project Report preparation |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 1 | 30:30 | 30:30 | Research project dependent |
| Guided Independent Study | Project work | 1 | 165:00 | 165:00 | Research Project data collection |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 2 | 8:00 | 16:00 | Two day scientific conference, including oral presentation |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 2 | 1:30 | 3:00 | Literature Review Planning |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 8 | 1:00 | 8:00 | Research project clinics |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Dissertation/project related supervision | 12 | 0:30 | 6:00 | Supervisor meetings |
| Total | | | | 400:00 | |
Jointly Taught With
| Code |
Title |
|---|
| MST3206 | Marine Research Project - Overseas |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures will introduce the module, develop their critical evaluation skills and inform students of the format of their final project report and scientific conference presentation.
Research Project work will be supported by the drop-in clinics where students can receive additional advice and guidance on any aspect of their Research Project work.
Allowing students to conduct a field, laboratory, or desk-based research project will further increase their organisational, time management and planning skills through conducting an independent scientific investigation. It will give students the opportunity to put into practice skills developed at Levels 4 and 5 in relation to planning and costing an investigation; devising a suitable methodology and approach; collecting, analysing and interpreting data and presenting their work in a concise format. The practical and tutorial sessions in MST1204 Academic and Professional Skills for the Biosciences and the lectures and computer-based practical classes in MST2204 Research and Employability Skills that students will have all received prior to undertaking this module will have provided them with a thorough theoretical and classroom-based preparation for independent field, laboratory or desk-based study. The research project will also enable students to develop further the sampling methodologies learned in Marine Practical Skills 1 and 2 (MST1205 and MST2205).
Assessment preparation and completion will allow students to fully prepare for their formative and summative assessments. They will have the opportunity to consolidate and build upon knowledge gained throughout their degree programmes.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description |
Length |
Semester |
When Set |
Percentage |
Comment |
|---|
| Oral Presentation | 15 | 2 | A | 10 | Scientific Conference presentation |
Other Assessment
| Description |
Semester |
When Set |
Percentage |
Comment |
|---|
| Research paper | 2 | M | 60 | 5,000 word Research Project report |
| Essay | 1 | A | 30 | 2,500 word Literature Review |
Formative Assessments
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The Research Project notebook allows the students to demonstrate their organisational skills.
The literature review allows the student to demonstrate their ability to research and synthesise information from the published scientific literature.
The final Research Project report is presented in the form of a scientific paper which allows the student to demonstrate their scientific writing and critical thinking skills.
The oral presentation allows the student to show that they can communicate effectively by summarising an in-depth investigation.
Reading Lists
Timetable
