The aim of this module is to teach basic skills in accessing, analysing and interpreting oceanographic data, developing predictions and hypotheses and creating a research plan through objectives to test the hypotheses.

(LO1) 1. Knowledge and Understanding:   On completion of the module students should be able to demonstrate a knowledge of a) accessing and selecting publicly available data, b) handling and organising large quantities of data, c) merging data sets from different portals and d) assessing data quality.

(LO2) 2. Intellectual Abilities: At the end of the module the student should be able to apply skills in a) evaluating the quality and significance of publicly available marine data, b) developing and test hypotheses and c) writing a focused, question-driven scientific report/paper

(LO3) 3. Subject Based Practical Skills: At the end of the module students should be able to apply skills in data handling and analysis including : a) organising large complex data sets, (b) physical oceanographic measurements and calculations, (c) biogeochemical measurements and (c) biological measurements.

(S1) time management (setting and achieving objectives through semester 1 and producing a report by a deadline),

(S2) teamwork (organising themselves to achieve the objectives and sharing data),

(S3) Data handling (accessing, selecting, downloading and quality control of publicly available data),

(S4) data handling (setting up scripts and spreadsheets and processing data with them)

(S5) report writing (through the final report)

(S6) ethics

Data-based activities will begin in week 1 of semester 1, with students assigning themselves to one of four topics depending upon their interests. Groups will meet on a weekly basis to discuss the data sets and develop a presentation to be delivered online in week 5. From this point, students will work individually on making predictions or setting hypotheses and developing a research plan to test hypotheses. Weekly tutorials will aid discussion and development of ideas.

Teaching Method 1 - Tutorial
Description: Semester 1: 2-hour tutorials weeks 1 - 11 to provide support during data analysis and report write-up.
Attendance Recorded: Yes

Teaching Method 2 - Data analysis
Description: Analysis of data, preparation and discussion of results.
Attendance Recorded: No

Teaching Method 3 - Seminar
Description: The students will present to each other the topic and preliminary results of their analyses.
Attendance Recorded: Yes
Notes: This activity occurs in week 5