ES3S204 - Research Project 01 Jul 2022 - 31 Aug 2028 | Version 1
Associated Module Information
| Module Code: | ES3S204 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Module Title: | Research Project | ||
| Faculty: | Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science | ||
| Faculty Group: | Chemical and Environmental Sciences | ||
| Faculty Sub Group: | Earth and Environmental Science | ||
| Module Leader: | Anthony Harris | ||
| Module Team: | Jonathan Duckett, Thomas Lambourne, Angela Morris, Ian Skilling, Natalie Lubbock, Emma Higgins | ||
| First Intended Intake: | SEP 2022 | Final Year of Intake: | 2027 |
| Date Closed: | |||
| Credit Value: | 20 | Credit Level: | 6 |
| Language: | English | ||
| Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: | 0 | ||
| Equivalent Module: | |||
| HECOS codes: | 100381 - environmental sciences | ||
| HECOS Code Weighting: | 100 | ||
Document Version Information
| Version | 1 |
|---|---|
| Valid From | 01 Jul 2022 |
| Valid To | 31 Aug 2028 |
Module Aims
To encourage every student to take responsibility to prepare for, deliver, and write up a detailed dissertation or research project.
To develop and safely practise a range of advanced practical and analytical field and/or laboratory techniques.
To provide experience in the method and practice of sustained, focused and rigorous research, to develop critical thought, and to place findings within the existing framework of knowledge.
To give the student experience in the preparation and presentation of a critical, comprehensive and professional dissertation.
In engaging with the module appropriately, students will fully achieve level-appropriate Behaviour Domains of the following USW Graduate Attributes:
Commercial Awareness - Behaviour Domains 1, 2, 3
Communication - Behaviour Domains 1, 2, 3
Leadership - Behaviour Domains 1, 2, 3
Innovation and Enterprise - Behaviour Domains 1, 2, 3
Project Management - Behaviour Domains 1, 2, 3
Digital Literacy - Behaviour Domains 1, 2, 3
The Capabilities associated with these behaviours are found in the Graduate Attributes table at the end of the descriptor.
Content Summary
The content will be dependent on the topic selected for dissertation study. The fieldwork that will be undertaken will depend on the student cohort and location. The project could be based, for example, on research related to climate change adaptation or mitigation, sustainable development, renewable resource or waste management, biodiversity and conservation, environmental pollution or environmental management.
The student will, with guidance and supervision, undertake an approved research programme. They will normally be expected to collect and collate a range of primary and secondary data, and present their findings with an explanation of how and why the study was undertaken. The student will be expected to place their research within a framework of contemporary research, and present a professionally presented dissertation
Important aspects of the module will include:
• Selection of a suitable area for research through: verbal dialogue with lecturers and perhaps organisations concerned, background reading into chosen area.
• Review of qualitative and quantitative data collection, analysis and research techniques, including through peer discussion.
• The production of an initial project proposal to identify research questions and justify research design and methods. The proposal will include a project plan and literature review.
• The results of the investigation written up and presented individually as a dissertation or paper, which would normally include an introduction, literature review, methodology, presentation and discussion of findings, conclusions and references.
Learning and Teaching Methods
| Activity Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Seminar | 3 |
| Tutorial | 2 |
| Practical classes and workshops | 3 |
| Fieldwork | 42 |
| Independent Study | 110 |
| Directed Study | 25 |
| Problem / challenge based learning | 15 |
| Total Hours Selected | 200 |
Learning Outcomes
| # | Learning Outcome |
|---|---|
| LO1 | Plan and undertake the practical investigation of a topic in the field or laboratory; to generate, analyse, present and synthesise appropriate data; to draw suitable conclusions; and to place the results and conclusions in the context of theories forwarded in the literature. |
| LO2 | To undertake a literature survey and produce a dissertation by a required deadline in a suitably professional format and to evaluate the relative success of the project and its methodologies. |
Module Requisites
N/A
Assessment Criteria
| Assessment Category | Assessment Type | Description | Duration | Word Count | Weight (%) | Best of? | Pass Mark |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asynchronous Assessment | Dissertation / Major Project 1 | A major piece of work reporting the results of a substantial research project, providing a coherent argument about the topic addressed and aiming to incorporate an element of originality in the argument and /or the evidence used to sustain it. | 0 | 6000 | 100 | No | 40 |
Assessment Matrix
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| LO1 | LO2 | ||
| Dissertation / Major Project 1 | ✔ | ✔ | |