Undergraduate Course: Research Methods and Transferable Skills (GESC11005)
Course Outline
| School | School of Geosciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Year 5 Undergraduate) |
Credits | 10 |
| Home subject area | Geosciences |
Other subject area | None |
| Course website |
None |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | This course will enable students to learn general transferable skills and professional skills appropriate to their MEarthSci year, as well as help students manage the transition from working at an undergraduate to a postgraduate level. Emphasis will be placed on small group teaching with strong staff-student interaction. Key analytical techniques used in geoscience research will be introduced through a series of short modules, both in terms of presenting the theoretical background to analytical techniques as well as actual ?hands-on? training using equipment. Advantages and limitations of different techniques will also be compared and discussed. Students will be able to draw on the skills acquired during the course to plan and execute their independent research topic, but will also have the opportunity to become familiar with techniques more widely used in geoscience research. Core research skills will also be presented through a series of workshops, including how to determine the statistical validity of analytical and experimental data, comparing data and results with published literature, dealing with large data sets, presenting and describing data in both graphical and text-based methods, presenting data through verbal and poster presentations (at the level of a large scientific conference), and preparing scientific reports. |
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | None. |
Course Delivery Information
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| Delivery period: 2012/13 Semester 1, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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WebCT enabled: Yes |
Quota: None |
| Location |
Activity |
Description |
Weeks |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
| King's Buildings | Tutorial | | 1-11 | 10:00 - 10:50 | | | | | | King's Buildings | Tutorial | | 1-11 | 11:10 - 12:00 | | | | |
| First Class |
First class information not currently available |
| No Exam Information |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
| Students will be knowledgeable about a number of key analytical techniques used in geosciences following the completion of this course. Strong staff-student interaction will enable students to develop professional level transferable skills. Students will develop a critical understanding of the theoretical background to analytical techniques as well as being able to undertake analyses on their own under the appropriate supervision by technical staff. Presentation skills will be developed so that the student is aware of how to present their findings using appropriate, varied methods to a range of audiences with different levels of knowledge/ expertise. Students will be able to undertake critical evaluations of the statistical validity of the data they collect (as well as the data of others) in situations where there is an absence of complete or consistent data/ information. Students will be able to critically discuss these in an acceptable style with the appropriate recourse to published literature. |
Assessment Information
30% Reflective diary
70% Technical report on an analytical technique of choice, formatted as a short review paper (up to 3500 words)
The reflective diary will be written as the course progresses. This will act, in part, as a more rigorous method of note taking, vital when learning to use complicated, state-of-the-art analytical equipment through both theory-based tutorials and individual ?driving-tests?. It will also provide a medium for students to assess various experimental methodologies, and to begin to decide which combinations of techniques may be of use for their own independent research. Students will then write a more detailed technical report on an analytical technique which they will rely on for their own research (independent research project)
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Special Arrangements
| Although the course will run over 11 weeks, the intensity of teaching may vary from one week to the next to accommodate the availability of technical staff who will contribute to the course. |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
Not entered |
| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
Not entered |
| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Not entered |
| Keywords | MEarthSci_ResMethods_Transkills |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Geoffrey Bromiley
Tel: (0131 6)50 8519
Email: |
Course secretary | Miss Emma Latto
Tel: (0131 6)50 8510
Email: |
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