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 Prof J Sharples
Earth, Ocean and Ecological Sciences
Jonathan.Sharples@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2018-19 Level 7 FHEQ Whole Session 60

Aims

  • Carry out a critical and focused survey of relevant scientific literature.
  • Be able to articulate clearly, both written and orally, the state of knowledge in a wider field of science around the planned research, showing the relevance and timeliness of the planned research.
  • Write coherent scientific prose in the format of a scientific paper targetted at a specific journal.
  • Produce a concise, well-designed poster suitable for a scientific conference.

  • Carry out independent research, with a clear focus on the research questions and using appropriate methods.

  • Learning Outcomes

    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.

    Be able to articulate the importance of a research question within the broader scientific context.
    Be able to write scientific prose in typical formats used in science.
    Be able to formulate testable hypotheses, and along with the methods and approach required to test them.

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


    Syllabus

    Semester 1:

    Week 1: Seminar.

    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 1 - 12: Tutorials.

    A regular opportunity to 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 1 - 12: Independent work.

    The literature review requires consistent effort through the whole semester. 

    Week 10: Oral presentation on project plans.

     

    Semester 2:

    Week 1: Seminar.

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

    Week 5: Seminar.

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

    Weeks 1 - 12: Tutorials and research group meetings.

    A regular opportunity to 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 1 - 12: Independent work.

    The research project requires consistent effort through the whole semester. 

    Week 10: Poster presentation on research results.



    Teaching and Learning Strategies

    Seminar -

    Seminars will reinforce material from year 3 on how to frame hypotheses, and how maintain a project log of experimental and analytical work. Students will also develop knowledge of how the scientific publication process works, how to choose a target journal, and be shown how to structure and write a scientific paper (in contrast to a dissertation). Examples of good/successful papers will be identified, and simple techniques for maximising a paper''s audience and impact will be discussed. Structuring and presenting scientific posters and talks will be revisited, drawing on examples of "good" and "bad" posters/slides, and highlighting the different approaches required for posters and talks.

    Tutorial -

    Tutorials will occur at least weekly, providing an opportunity for students to report on progress and to discuss ongoing results. 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.

    Workshop -

    Taking part in research group meetings. Research groups typically meet monthly, and last for 1 - 2 hours. Discussion within research group meetings often begin with a focused question or process, which will provide an opportunity for students to deepen their knowledge around the research project. Students will also have the opportunity to report on progress, and to receive feedback from the rest of the research group.


    Teaching Schedule

      Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
    Study Hours   3

    18

        5

    26
    Timetable (if known)   Seminars will reinforce material from year 3 on how to frame hypotheses, and how maintain a project log of experimental and analytical work. Students will also develop knowledge of how the scientific
     
    Tutorials will occur at least weekly, providing an opportunity for students to report on progress and to discuss ongoing results. Any problems encountered during the project work can be raised with pr
     
        Taking part in research group meetings. Research groups typically meet monthly, and last for 1 - 2 hours. Discussion within research group meetings often begin with a focused question or process, whic
     
     
    Private Study 574
    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
    Coursework  2500 words literatur  semester 1  30  No reassessment opportunity  Standard UoL penalty applies  Assessment 1 There is no reassessment opportunity,  
    Practical Assessment  10 minute oral prese  semester 1  No reassessment opportunity  Standard UoL penalty applies  Assessment 2 There is no reassessment opportunity,  
    Practical Assessment  Poster and poster se  semester 2  No reassessment opportunity  Standard UoL penalty applies  Assessment 3 There is no reassessment opportunity,  
    Coursework  4000-9000 words depe  semester 2  60  No reassessment opportunity  Standard UoL penalty applies  Assessment 4 There is no reassessment opportunity, Notes (applying to all assessments) The literature review is a single piece of work that forms the foundation for the research project. The review is marked on its demonstration that you have acquired both a broad understanding of the context of the research question, and that you have been able to articulate clearly the relevance of your research question to that broader field. In other words, is the research question a rational component of the wider field of published work, and are the results of the research likely to provide new, relevant, and important knowledge within that field? It needs to be clear in the literature review that the key published works in the field have been reviewed, and that where relevant any differences in, for instance, published methods, results or interpretation have been evaluated critically.The review needs to use diagrams and other figures where relevant, and all sources need to be correctly cited using a normal scientific format. Literature reviews will be annotated and marked by two staff, one of whom will be the review/project supervisor. The final section of the literature review describes the planned research, including hypotheses and the expected methods/approach. The results of the research project will be written up in the form of a scientific paper, which requires skills in precision and clarity of language that allow the background, methods, results and interpretation of the research to be presentated in a concise format. Early in semester 2 the student, in discussion with the project supervisor, will decide on a "target" journal for the research, which will inform the format, length and structure of the resulting paper. Written assessments (the literature review and the paper) will be marked by the project supervisor and 1 other member of academic staff. The oral presentation and poster will be assessed for overall clarity and structure, the student's ability to summarise concisely a large amount of information, as well as the quality of material used in slides and on the poster. Both will be assessed by the supervisor and one other member of staff, with moderation of the whole year group presentations provided by the module coordinator. The timing of the semester 1 oral presentations and semester 2 poster presentations will be coordinated alongside the year 3 and MSc presentations to generate a mini-conference. The student will be expected to keep a detailed log book or diary to record progress. This will not be formally assessed, but may form evidence of engagement should need arise. 

    Recommended Texts

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