2024/25 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

NATS5500M MSc Research Project

60 creditsClass Size: 80

Module manager: Dr Terry Kee
Email: t.p.kee@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: 1 Jan to 30 Sep View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

Pre-requisite qualifications

A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in engineering, environmental science, physical science or mathematics discipline

Module replaces

CHEM5503M Research Project for Chemistry-based MSc courses

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

Students carry out experimental/computational/pedagogic research as appropriate to their programme and interests, and report on their results. Planning and performing experiments is supported by academic and technical staff. Critical analysis of the data obtained is also supported by an academic supervisor of each project. However, success in this module is highly dependent on the student's engagement and initiative to drive progress in the project.

Objectives

- To enable students to demonstrate their research ability and their initiative in driving a research project;
- To provide students with an opportunity to gain experience of planning, executing and reporting a research project of the type they will undertake in an industry/academic environment in their future career;
- To provide students with opportunities to present their research data both orally and in the form of scientific reports;

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. formulate hypotheses to be tested experimentally
2. keep an accurate, formal record of research performed
3. plan new experiments in the light of earlier results
4. apply key methods in appropriate scientific technology for the investigation of important problems and/or develop new methodology
5. interpret experimental data and develop new models on the basis of these experiments

Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
6. identify and summarise background literature to an important problem in their chosen field (Academic/enterprise: Information searching, Academic: Referencing)
7. disseminate research results both orally, and as a written research paper, technical report or thesis (Work-ready: Communication, Academic: Presentation skills, Academic writing, Academic language)
8. Plan and manage work in an adaptive and reflexive manner, taking account of uncertain progress and the work of others. Be resilient and flexible when faced with change or uncertainty (Work-ready/Academic: Time management, Academic: Reflection)
9. Choose actions based on own data and incomplete information. Critically analyze own results, as well as methodology, results and conclusions produced by others (Work-ready: Critical thinking, Creativity, Problem solving & analytical skills, decision-making, Academic: Critical thinking)

Syllabus

Project activities may include:
- Critical literature review and background reading (to develop a clear understanding of the research topic);
- Layman’s description of project aim and objectives, including ethical aspects of the research project;
- Development of research methodology (i.e. laboratory equipment, computer software, etc), using in particular, experiment design;
- Planning for experimental/computational/pedagogic work and implementation of a research plan;
- Carrying out experimental/computational/pedagogic work;
- Analysis and interpretation of results;
- Oral presentation;
- Final report writing.

Methods of Assessment

We are currently refreshing our modules to make sure students have the best possible experience. Full assessment details for this module are not available before the start of the academic year, at which time details of the assessment(s) will be provided.

Assessment for this module will consist of;

2 x Coursework
1 x Practical
1 x Presentation

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Supervision	18	0.50	9.00
Lecture	2	1.00	2.00
Practical	48	7.50	360.00
Seminar	3	2.00	6.00
Private study hours			223.00
Total Contact hours			377.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			600.00

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Supervisor feedback on draft reports, presentations and during supervisor meetings through the research period

Reading list

There is no reading list for this module

Last updated: 01/05/2024

Disclaimer

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