Extended Project in Environmental Sciences

EART32000 Extended Project in Environmental Sciences 30 Full year Undergraduate Level 6 David Schultz Unit coordinator 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Last part of a Bachelors ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 15.0 During Year 2, students will be invited to express preferences for the type of 3rd year project they wish to undertake. These may be focussed on their chosen academic pathway or be interdisciplinary (including collaborating with students on different degrees). They may involve lab, field or computational research or may be themed on science communication or involve industry or other external partnerships. Students will be assigned to project groups of up to 6 students, ahead of the first semester of Year 3Student groups will meet their supervisor regularly during Semester 1 of Year 3, to design and plan the project, with group meetings typically weekly for 1-2 hours (this may vary depending on the exact nature of the project). Through a series of tutorial style meetings, with independent or group work between sessions, the group will identify relevant literature and, based on this, define the aims and objectives of their project, which they will agree with the supervisor. This may involve the group working collectively on a single project, individual students working on different work packages within a larger project, or each student having their own defined project around the same theme.During the second half of Semester 1 and the first 4 weeks of Semester 2, group members will carry out practical work to meet the objectives they have defined. For research projects this will include testing hypotheses through experimentation or data analysis using available data sets. For projects in science communication, this would involve generation of materials using different media, as described in the course guidelines.In Semester 2, students will present their work at the annual research conference, where they will show their progress to date using individual posters and be questioned and receive oral feedback from 2 markers (normally including their supervisor). Students will write up their work individually in a format appropriate to the project type. They will be invited to submit samples of text (up to 2 pages) and figures to the supervisor for formative assessment, with dates for submission and feedback agreed in advance by student and supervisor. Final submission of the written project report will be in late April or early May (depending on date of Easter).   During Year 2, students will be invited to express preferences for the type of 3rd year project they wish to undertake. These may be focussed on their chosen academic pathway or be interdisciplinary (including collaborating with students on different degrees). They may involve lab, field or computational research or may be themed on science communication or involve industry or other external partnerships. Students will be assigned to project groups of up to 6 students, ahead of the first semester of Year 3Student groups will meet their supervisor regularly during Semester 1 of Year 3, to design and plan the project, with group meetings typically weekly for 1-2 hours (this may vary depending on the exact nature of the project). Through a series of tutorial style meetings, with independent or group work between sessions, the group will identify relevant literature and, based on this, define the aims and objectives of their project, which they will agree with the supervisor. This may involve the group working collectively on a single project, individual students working on different work packages within a larger project, or each student having their own defined project around the same theme.During the second half of Semester 1 and the first 4 weeks of Semester 2, group members will carry out practical work to meet the objectives they have defined. For research projects this will include testing hypotheses through experimentation or data analysis using available data sets. For projects in science communication, this would involve generation of materials using different media, as described in the course guidelines.In Semester 2, students will present their work at the annual research conference, where they will show their progress to date using individual posters and be questioned and receive oral feedback from 2 markers (normally including their supervisor). Students will write up their work individually in a format appropriate to the project type. They will be invited to submit samples of text (up to 2 pages) and figures to the supervisor for formative assessment, with dates for submission and feedback agreed in advance by student and supervisor. Final submission of the written project report will be in late April or early May (depending on date of Easter).   The aim of this unit is to provide students with the opportunity to carry out an extended piece of work related to their academic discipline and allows students to integrate what they have learned throughout their undergraduate studies focussing on a subject of interest to them. The project may be any subject within Earth and Planetary Science or Environmental Science, determined in consultation with their research project supervisor. With their supervisor’s assistance, students will design and plan the project and will then acquire and interpret datasets as required. They will present their work in a written report similar in style appropriate to the project topic and as an individual poster presentation at a student research conference in Semester 2.  <figure class="table"><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td style="height:16px;width:481px;">On the successful completion of the course, students will be able to:</td><td style="height:16px;width:72px;">Developed</td><td style="height:16px;width:66px;">Assessed</td></tr></tbody></table></figure><figure class="table"><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td style="height:58px;width:63px;"> ILO 1</td><td style="height:58px;width:418px;">Identify a scientific question and plan a data acquisition strategy to address it</td><td style="height:58px;width:72px;"> x</td><td style="height:58px;width:66px;"> x</td></tr><tr><td style="height:66px;width:63px;"> ILO 2</td><td style="height:66px;width:418px;">Design and conduct a work programme with achievable objectives to answer this research question</td><td style="height:66px;width:72px;"> x</td><td style="height:66px;width:66px;"> x</td></tr><tr><td style="height:75px;width:63px;">ILO 3</td><td style="height:75px;width:418px;">Record, analyse, critique, and synthesise data acquired </td><td style="height:75px;width:72px;"> x</td><td style="height:75px;width:66px;"> x</td></tr><tr><td style="height:75px;width:63px;">ILO 4</td><td style="height:75px;width:418px;">Appraise the relevance of the research question and the significance of the results in the context of existing Earth and planetary or environmental sciences literature </td><td style="height:75px;width:72px;"> x</td><td style="height:75px;width:66px;"> x</td></tr><tr><td style="height:75px;width:63px;"> ILO 5</td><td style="height:75px;width:418px;">Manage the project independently in timely fashion through to its conclusion </td><td style="height:75px;width:72px;"> x</td><td style="height:75px;width:66px;">  </td></tr><tr><td style="height:65px;width:63px;"> ILO 6</td><td style="height:65px;width:418px;">Summarize the findings in a professional written report of 4000-8000 words at a level appropriate for an academic who is acquainted with their broad subject area </td><td style="height:65px;width:72px;"> x</td><td style="height:65px;width:66px;"> x</td></tr><tr><td>  ILO 7</td><td>Explain the findings in poster and oral presentations that are accessible to an audience of peers </td><td>  x</td><td>  x</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>The ILOs of this unit are intended to help develop and demonstrate the following important career skills:<ul><li>literacy, numeracy, and communication skills (ILOs 3, 6, 7),</li><li>critical thinking (ILOs 1, 3, 4),</li><li>self-motivated engagement with a challenging large and extended task (ILOs 2, 3, 5). </li></ul> The exact structure of the project will vary in detail to reflect the nature of the work programme agreed early on in Semester 1 of Year 3. The following is a typical programme.Sem 1 weeks 1-4, students meet in group tutorials with project supervisor to define scope of project and agree group and individual objectives. (4-8 hours of direct contact with supervisor).Sem 1 weeks 5-8, students receive training in any techniques required for the project and set up experiments as appropriate to the project objectives (typically 8 hours direct contact with supervisor)Sem 1 weeks 9-12 and Sem 2 weeks 1-4 students carry out individual and group work as appropriate to meeting the agreed objectives (typically 4 hours direct contact with supervisor).Sem 2 week 5-6 – 3rd year research project – students present their progress in the form of a poster, with questions and discussion with at least 2 members of academic staff, providing formative feedback.Sem 2 weeks 7 onwards – preparation of final report for submission in late April or early May: submission of project report. Students will discuss write up with supervisor in 1-2-1 meetings and receive feedback, if requested in a timely way, on 2-pages text and 1 figure.  The project is conducted by the student as part of a project group, however each student will have individual responsibility for specific work packages. Supervisors will meet on a regular basis with the group to provide advice and guidance and to train students in specific techniques as appropriate to the project. Students will be individually responsible for scheduling their own work to meet the agreed work objectives. If lab facilities are required, booking of resources should be done through the supervisor, and supervisors will conduct risk assessments, provide training as required and if needed supervise practical work. This supervision may be delegated to a member of technical staff or other competent researchers.   The main project guidance during Year 3 will come in group meetings with the project supervisor and during preparation of project reports, where feedback will be given through 1-2-1 meetings as required. Supervisors will advise on data analysis, interpretation, and presentation. Supervisors will provide formative feedback on draft sections from their project report, consistent with the rationale that the report reflects the students’ own work. The onus is on the student to arrange timely discussion meetings with their supervisor and to self-manage their progress throughout the project.  0 Other 10% 3 Report 90% <figure class="table" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);color:rgb(81, 81, 81);font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:-webkit-left;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;"><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td style="height:53px;width:93px;">Assessment type</td><td style="height:53px;width:75px;">Weighting within unit%</td><td style="height:53px;width:85px;">Hand out and hand in dates</td><td style="height:53px;width:114px;">Length</td><td style="height:53px;width:227px;">How, when and what feedback is provided</td><td style="height:53px;width:47px;">ILOteste d</td></tr><tr><td style="height:34px;width:93px;">Report (individual)</td><td style="height:34px;width:75px;">90</td><td style="height:34px;width:85px;">Late April or early May</td><td style="height:34px;width:114px;">4000 to 8000 words</td><td style="height:34px;width:227px;">Students should arrange regular one-to-one meetings with their project supervisor to discuss progress.  Students may receive formative feedback on drafts of their dissertation (or a part of their dissertation) if it is submitted well before the final deadline.  Summative written feedback will be provided at the end of Semester 2.</td><td style="height:34px;width:47px;">1,2,3,4,5,6</td></tr><tr><td style="height:16px;width:93px;">Poster presentation (individual)</td><td style="height:16px;width:75px;">10</td><td style="height:16px;width:85px;">Semester 2 week 6</td><td style="height:16px;width:114px;">A2 portrait poster and oral presentation to 2 staff members</td><td style="height:16px;width:227px;">Summative written feedback will be provided after the Undergraduate Research Conference </td><td style="height:16px;width:47px;">7*</td></tr></tbody></table></figure><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);color:rgb(81, 81, 81);font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:-webkit-left;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;">* Inevitably ILOs 1–6 impact upon this assessment but the primary focus is on ILO 7 BSc (Hons) Environmental Sci BSc(Hons) Envir Science (ACS) Third Year Mandatory MEnvSci Environmental Science MEnvSci Environ Science (ACS) Third Year Mandatory MEnvSci Env Sci with Ind Exp MEnvSci Env Sci with IE (ACS) Third Year Mandatory MEnvSci Env Sci with Int Study MEnvSci Env Sci with IS (ACS) Third Year Mandatory MEnvSci (Hons) Env Sci w Resea MEnSc (H) Env Sci w RP (ACS) Third Year Mandatory N There is no reading list because reading is project-specific. However, the following sources on reading the scientific literature, conducting a research project, and communication skills are particularly helpful: Schultz, D. M., 2009: Eloquent Science: A Practical Guide to Becoming a Better Writer, Speaker, and Atmospheric Scientist: http://bit.ly/EloqSci. [recommended]   Waller, R., and D. M. Schultz, 2014: How to succeed at university in GEES disciplines: Enhancing your information literacy skills. GEES, Higher Education Academy, 30 pp. [http://bit.ly/InfoLiteracySkills] [recommended]  Project supervision 20 0 280 <table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td rowspan="2" style="width:64px;height:26px;"> Contact time</td> <td style="width:496px;height:26px;"> Supervisor meetings (one-on-one)</td> <td style="width:59px;height:26px;"> 20 hr</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:496px;height:45px;"> Data collection and explanation of data analysis procedures</td> <td style="width:59px;height:45px;"> 20-50hr</td> </tr> <tr> <td rowspan="2" style="width:64px;height:26px;"> Independent study</td> <td style="width:496px;height:26px;"> Background reading</td> <td style="width:59px;height:26px;"> 50 hr</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:496px;height:66px;">  Analysis of data and collection/analysis of other data required to address the research question</td> <td style="width:59px;height:66px;">  120-150 hr</td> </tr> <tr> <td rowspan="2" style="width:64px;height:26px;"> Assessment</td> <td style="width:496px;height:26px;"> Dissertation write-up</td> <td style="width:59px;height:26px;"> 60 hr</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:496px;height:66px;">  </td> <td style="width:59px;height:66px;">  </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:64px;height:26px;"> Total</td> <td style="width:496px;height:26px;">  </td> <td style="width:59px;height:26px;"> 300 hr</td> </tr> </tbody></table>