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2020/21 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

SOEE5305M Geological Sciences Field Project (MGeol)

30 creditsClass Size: 15

Module manager: Dr Vernon Manville
Email: V.R.Manville@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2020/21

Pre-requisite qualifications

Satisfactory completion of levels 1 and 2. Students undertaking a field-based mapping project must have completed SOEE2180 or SOEE2096.

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module encompasses the independent mapping fieldwork/desk-top research and dissertation write-up for MGeol level students. Students spend a nominal 6-week period engaged in independent fieldwork (or in certain circumstances on a desk-top study) in small groups with limited staff supervision, before writing up their results in the form of a scientific journal-type paper accompanied by a fair-copy map prepared in ArcGIS.

Objectives

This module is designed to:
- develop students' ability to complete independent projects based on field or, under special circumstances, laboratory and/or desk-top study based work;
- develop skills involving research and analysis, critique of scientific papers, presentation of data, writing of scientific reports and various techniques in field and theoretical work (dependent on the project);
- test students' powers of scientific observation, data collection, synthesis and interpretation;
- develop self-motivation, time management skills and hence ability to work to a deadline;
- lead to preparation of a potentially publishable report on the basis of the student's own research /observations in the context of the current literature.

Choice of projects and details of assessment will be dependent upon the types of projects available and student interests, particularly those interests developed during the year abroad.

Learning outcomes
Acquisition of generic professional skills and knowledge specific to the project area. On completion of this module students will have developed original subject-specific knowledge in their chosen field or research area and written it up in the form of a research-based scientific journal article suitable for publication in the peer-reviewed literature.

They should be able to: contribute to related critical debate; recognise and use subject-specific theories, paradigms, concepts and principles; analyse, synthesise and summarise information critically; collect and integrate several lines of evidence, either to formulate and test hypotheses, or to use within other recognised research instruments; draw meaningful generalisations and implications from their specific findings; plan, conduct and report on an original investigation; undertake field investigations in a responsible and safe manner; reference other work appropriately; and communicate their findings effectively in written form. In addition, students will have developed further skills in self-management (working independently and in small groups; time management; and organisational skills), in working towards academic targets, and in adopting a flexible approach to study and work.

Covid-19 disclaimer: this module has been severely impacted by the restrictions placed on travel and residential field classes by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. As a consequence of this a number of field classes have been cancelled, rescheduled, or replaced with desk-top exercises. While every effort is being made to ensure that the impacts on your degree programme and its learning outcomes are minimised, our first priority remains the health and well-being of our students and staff, such that some planned activities may have to be cancelled or replaced with alternatives at short notice.


Syllabus

The module comprises an independent mapping or, in special circumstances, laboratory and/or desk-top study based project designed in collaboration with the project supervisor. The nature of the projects will be chosen from a wide range as supervised by different members of the school of Earth Sciences. A member of staff will give early field/laboratory/desk-top supervision, advice on logistics and strict recommendations on field/laboratory safety. A series of tutorials will be held in support of data analysis, interpretation and report preparation.

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Fieldwork357.50262.50
Tutorial51.005.00
Private study hours32.50
Total Contact hours267.50
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)300.00

Private study

Students will be expected to conduct logistical planning for their independent projects, particularly in the case of field-based mapping. Exercise of initiative, flexibility and time-management skills is essential. Students should read widely around their topic area, including resources on both data and techniques for data acquisition, analysis and synthesis.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Academic supervision during the supervisor’s field visit and during level 5 semester 1 tutorials (5).

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
ReportCirca 3500 word Geology-type article limited to 4 formatted A4 pages accompanied by ArcGIS-produced geological map (for field-based projects) or A0 conference-style poster (for lab-based projects)34.00
PortfolioRepresenting all field-materials (notebooks, field slips, cross-sections, stereonets, logs, etc). OR all equivalent laboratory-based materials (lab books, notes and data files with accompanying meta-data and H&S documentation, as appropriate)66.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 05/11/2020 14:00:37

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