2024/25 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

SOEE5880M Engaging with Climate Change: Capstone Project

60 creditsClass Size: 60

Module manager: Thomas Whale
Email: T.F.Whale@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: 1 Sep to 31 Aug (12mth) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module develops the language, theory and research methods to communicate and enact change across disciplines, with a focus on employability skills. Building on these skills and drawing upon their individual strength, students will undertake a Capstone Project, with an individual interdisciplinary research project feeding into a broader interdisciplinary group brief. With support from mentors, to pursue and develop their specific interests, students will shed new light on a climate related challenge of their choice. This module also includes two fieldwork elements, aimed at developing experience of analysing and synthesising real-world climate observations, while developing teamworking skills.

Objectives

This module includes a residential field course; experiential learning activities; practical, academic and communication skills training; and reflection on personal and professional development.

On completion of this module, students should:

1. be able to plan and carry out a piece of original, theory-informed, evidence-based work relating to climate change. These individual projects, will contribute to a broader interdisciplinary group brief;

2. interpret their results in the context of previous research and results from other disciplines;

3. have developed career skills, including analytical, collaborative working, report writing and communication skills.

For the Capstone project, learners will be assessed on their individual contribution to an overall team effort, involving several MSc Climate Futures students, to meet an interdisciplinary research brief. The brief will be related to an applied climate challenge, and may involve external partners/stakeholders (e.g. policymakers and practitioners). Students will benefit from interacting with world-leading researchers from different disciplines, with at least two academic members of staff supporting each research brief. Training will include a residential field course and workshops for students to develop their research and career skills.

Learning outcomes
1. analyse authentic climate change issues using relevant physical and social science concepts in an individual and group project

2. conduct an original team-based piece of future climate focused research

3. co-create interdisciplinary information (research data and interpretations) in order to address a complex current climate issue

4. critically evaluate the validity, viability, inclusivity and equitability of proposed solutions

5. reflect upon the process of interdisciplinary collaboration, including reflecting on their world view, beliefs, and how they might have been challenged/ changed as a result

Skills outcomes
Skills outcomes
Subject specific skills are highly dependent upon the individual projects and span a wide range of areas. However, whatever project is chosen, there are many skills that will be gained by all students including:

• recognising and using subject-specific theories, paradigms, concepts and principles;

• analysing, synthesising and summarising information critically, including prior research;

• applying knowledge and understanding to address familiar and unfamiliar problems;

• recognising the moral and ethical issues of investigations and appreciating the need for professional codes of conduct;

• planning, conducting and reporting on research;

• developing the independent research skills necessary for self-managed and lifelong learning (e.g., working independently, time management and organisation skills);

• identifying and working towards targets for personal, academic and career development;

• developing an adaptable and flexible approach to study and work.

• working as part of an interdisciplinary team to a common brief

• developing personal reflective (normative competency) and continuous professional development skills

Syllabus

Capstone Research project (individual output andteam output)

Residential field course focusing on team working and, including topics taken from:
- alternative energy and construction technologies
- practical climate/atmospheric measurement (e.g. energy budgets)
- history of environmental ideas
- local/regional policy implications
- major national/international policy frameworks

Integrated social and physical understanding of specific climate related sites (e.g. rewilding project, managed woodland, urban spaces, infrastructures)

Diverse professional and academic skills development

Ongoing personal reflection

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Supervision	10	1.00	10.00
Fieldwork	1	8.00	8.00
Fieldwork	1	50.00	50.00
Practical	10	2.00	20.00
Seminar	1	6.00	6.00
Seminar	4	1.00	4.00
Private study hours			502.00
Total Contact hours			98.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			600.00

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

There will be up to 10 group mentoring sessions offered through the year for supporting the Capstone Research Project. There will be 2 reflective sessions offered to support learners to create their reflective log tracking their ambitions (and achievements) for skills development and career aspirations, and up to four careers/alumni seminars. Skills development courses will be a blend of online (e.g. Library resources) and face-to-face; the latter providing opportunities for feedback as students develop and practice their skills. Peer-peer feedback will play an important part of skills development throughout the year during student-led and team-based activities.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Project	Individual contribution to team project, flexible format	70.00
Group Project	Team presentation	20.00
Reflective log	1000 word essay	10.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

For group project: marks awarded according to team output with adjustment based on peer assessment. Resit for Group Project is 2,000 words (max.) Report reflecting on how individual contribution should feed into overall team output to meet project brief. Resit for Reflective log is 1,000 words (max.) Personal Statement

Reading list

There is no reading list for this module

Last updated: 04/04/2024 14:08:13

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