Module Details

The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title Integrated Masters Research Project
Code ENVS402
Coordinator Professor J Sharples
Earth, Ocean and Ecological Sciences
Jonathan.Sharples@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2022-23 Level 7 FHEQ Whole Session 60

Aims

Work on an individual research project, setting appropriate context and hypotheses/questions, developing suitable methods to test the hypotheses/questions, interpreting the results and setting them in the context of (1) answering the original hypotheses/questions and (2) implications beyond the boundaries of the project.

Understand the scientific publishing process, and write-up the work as a final short-format scientific paper.


Learning Outcomes

(LO1) Be able to provide a critical and focused assessment of an area of scientific literature, including keeping records of key points made in the literature.

(LO2) Be able to articulate the importance of a research question within the broader scientific context.

(LO3) Be able to write scientific prose in typical formats used in science.

(LO4) Be able to formulate testable hypotheses, and along with the methods and approach required to test them.

(LO5) Be able to produce a poster for a scientific conference, and to recognise what makes a good (and a bad) poster.

(S1) Improving own learning/performance - Record-keeping

(S2) Communication (oral, written and visual) - Presentation skills – oral

(S3) Communication (oral, written and visual) - Presentation skills - written

(S4) Communication (oral, written and visual) - Presentation skills - visual

(S5) Communication (oral, written and visual) - Academic writing (inc. referencing skills)

(S6) Critical thinking and problem solving - Critical analysis

(S7) Critical thinking and problem solving - Synthesis

(S8) Information skills - Information accessing:[Locating relevant information] [Identifying and evaluating information sources]

(S9) Numeracy/computational skills - Problem solving


Syllabus

 

Semester One:

Week Three: Workshop.

What is a literature review for? The aims of the literature review. Library search tools. Maintaining focus. Organising search results and keeping records of papers read. Developing a structure.

Weeks One - twelve: Tutorials.

A regular opportunity to meet with the project supervisor and report verbally on progress, discuss key findings in the literature (novelty, relevance, subsequent influence), and develop the focus on the research problem. Later tutorials will be used to discuss feedback on initial drafts of the review, as well as help to develop the project plan and the oral presentation.

Weeks one - twelve: Independent work.

The literature review requires consistent effort through the whole semester.

Week ten:

Oral presentation on project plans.

Semester two: Week one: workshop.

The publishing process in science. The dos and don'ts of scientific writing. Choosing a jou rnal. Using illustrations and developing schematic diagrams.  Practical advice (back-ups, version control, time scales for feedback from supervisors).

Week six: workshop.

The good, the bad, and the ugly of scientific posters. What is a poster for? Examples of good (and bad) posters.

Weeks one - twelve: Tutorials and research group meetings.

A regular opportunity to meet with the project supervisor and report verbally on research progress, discuss key findings or problems encountered with other researchers. Later tutorials will be used to discuss feedback on initial drafts of the paper.

Weeks one - twelve: Independent work. The research project requires consistent effort through the whole semester. 

Week ten: Poster presentation on research results.


Teaching and Learning Strategies

Teaching Method 1 - Tutorials with project supervisor
Description: Tutorials will occur at least weekly, providing an opportunity for students to report on progress and to discuss ongoing results.
Attendance Recorded: Yes
Notes: Any problems encountered during the project work can be raised with project supervisors at the earliest opportunity, but the tutorials provide a forum to discuss problems and challenges arising from the student's research with the supervisor and other students, and for solutions to be formulated. Each tutorial should end with the student having a clear idea of the next steps to take in their work, and the objectives to be reached before the next tutorial.

Teaching Method 2 - Workshop
Description: Workshops with the module leader to discuss literature review strategies, the qualities needed in scientific oral and poster presentations, and the scientific publication process.
Attendance Recorded: Yes


Teaching Schedule

  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours     18

    3

21
Timetable (if known)              
Private Study 579
TOTAL HOURS 600

Assessment

EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
             
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
Assessment 4 Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is not an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :semester 2    60       
Assessment 3 Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is not an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :semester 2         
Assessment 1 Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is not an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :semester 1         
Assessment 2 Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is not an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :semester 1    30       

Recommended Texts

Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.