Undergraduate Course: Critical Thinking in Ecological and Environmental Sciences (ECSC10034)
Course Outline
| School | School of Geosciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
| Summary | In this course you work in a forum comprising 5 to 6 students, overseen by one designated expert (your course tutor, a member of academic staff).
On a roughly weekly basis you will:
» discuss scientific issues, methods, processes and outcomes, based on analysis of peer-reviewed literature (i.e. journal articles);
» receive direct feedback on your critical thinking, speaking and writing skills;
» examine the research process in ecological and environmental sciences, becoming better prepared for completion of your dissertation projects.
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| Course description |
Introductory session on Tuesday week one.
12 x 1 hr group tutorials through the whole of Semester 1 and the first half of Semester 2. The first four tutorials are staff-led and the remainder will be student-led. The dates and times will be specific to your group, agreed by consultation of the group by your course tutor.
Students are required to prepare for each tutorial by completing the assigned readings (typically two journal articles), as well as any specific inquiries agreed and allocated within your group. You should be detailed and critical in your reading - allow plenty of time. Make notes so that you can share your thoughts effectively at the tutorials.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
Students MUST have passed:
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | Students must be enrolled on Ecological and Environmental Sciences |
| Additional Costs | No |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2021/22, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Full Year |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
100
(
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 12,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
86 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
This course has one formative written assessment, a marked written assessment (75%) and 25% of the mark is based on your contributions to running a tutorial.
Running a tutorial (25%) - each student member in your tutorial group will take turns to lead tutorials 6 to 10/11. The academic tutor will assess your tutorial for management of discussion, evidence of preparation, ability to lead and synthesise discussion, and conclusions.
First written assignment (formative) - before your fourth tutorial (date to be confirmed by your tutor) you will submit 1,000 words maximum on the topic "which is more valuable for advancing ecological and environmental sciences: observations, experiments or models?" Deadline for submission to be confirmed.
Written Synthesis Report (75%) - submission to Tutorial Group Turnitin box on Learn by 12noon Friday of Flexibel Learning week in February.
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| Feedback |
Following submission of the first formative assessment, your course tutor will provide personal feedback in 1:1 sessions held in lieu of tutorial 5, including a grade for guidance. At this meeting, your course tutor will also provide feedback on your contribution at the tutorial sessions held until that point.
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| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- develop a broader, deeper knowledge of the research process in ecological and environmental sciences.
- improve their critical capacity in relation to assessing value and originality of research.
- understand the process of structuring a scientific manuscript.
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Reading List
| Reading lists for tutorials will be found on the course Learn page. |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Presentation and communications, in writing, summarising, and group working. |
| Study Abroad |
N/A |
| Additional Class Delivery Information |
First Meeting: Tuesday, week 1, Semester 1
Further meetings to be arranged between students and staff. We expect 8 meetings in S1 and 4 in S2, with some flexibility.
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| Keywords | Ecological and Environmental Sciences |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Saran Sohi
Tel: (0131 6)51 4471
Email: |
Course secretary | Mrs Nicola Clark
Tel: (0131 6)50 4842
Email: |
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