This module aims to train students in high-level critical thinking, independent learning and the ability to effectively communicate scientific data with a variety of stakeholders (public versus company). We want to arm students with better analytical and communication skills, which are key to being effective in the workplace, academia and wider world. This will create graduates who can work in a broad range of jobs that require these skills.

(LO1) Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this module, students will have:

gained an in-depth, research-level, knowledge and understanding of the topics chosen for group and individual study;

learned how to read and understand material published in the highest level scientific literature.

(LO2) Intellectual Abilities

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:

Independently research a topic of societal and scientific importance;

Critically analyse data;

Debate ethical issues surrounding geoscience topics.

(LO3) Subject Based Practical Skills

On successful completion of this module, students will have competence in:

Oral presentations.

High-level scientific writing.

Consultancy report writing.

(LO4) Communication skills

On successful completion of this module, students will have competence in:

Public (layman) communication of science issues;

Professional consultancy (i.e. industry-facing) communication strategies.

(S1) Communication skills

On successful completion of this module, students will have competence in:

Public-facing outreach communication strategies;

Professional consultancy (i.e. industry-facing) communication strategies.

The syllabus for this module changes each year. Topics of current research interest are chosen to provide breadth of coverage across the earth sciences. Topics include (but are not limited to):

environmental and ethical issues associated with the exploitation of natural resources;

geology and health;

temporal changes in the Earth's dynamics;

properties of earth materials;

problems associated with the storage and disposal of carbon dioxide;

ocean circulation and climate change;

natural hazards (e.g. volcanic, submarine, seismic).

Students define their own literature research projects following one or more of these topics.

There are two main strands to this module both of which encourage independent learning and the development of critical thinking: high-level lectures introducing research topics and more student-led presentations and workshops.

The lecture content is based around current research papers from key journals such as Nature, Science and Geology. Students contribute to discussions, seminars and present syntheses using a range of verbal and graphical presentations aimed at different types of audience (professional and public).

Methods
Lectures - introducing a range of research-level hot topics in earth sciences

Seminars - lecturer will facilitate discussion across the group on different research topics covered in the lectures

Workshops - directed group activities designed to teach soft skills of engagement and confidence. This will include roleplay activities where students will be asked to represent different stakeholders in a situation involving earth science i ssues. Example, mining operation and its affects on the surrounding land and local people.

Presentations - Students will give presentations and lead discussions

Written assessments - students will write a consultancy report on a range of hot topics in earth science.

The spread of teaching methods encourages students-led independent learning, active participation and critical thinking, and promotes soft skills that are required in real-world professional environments (communication and self-confidence). This chimes with C2021 priorities (particularly research-led teaching and student-led teaching, and authentic assessment). Note that the exact nature of the lectures, seminars and workshops will change from year to year depending on the current issues facing earth science and society.

Lecture, seminar and practical session attendance will be monitored as set out by the University Framework for Student Attendance.