University home > Unit and programme catalogues in 2021/22 > Programme catalogue > Faculty of Science > School of Earth Sciences > Volcanology (MSc) > Specification
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Programme code | 2GELY006T |
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Programme type | Postgraduate Taught Degree |
Programme director(s) |
Katharine Cashman
Alison Rust |
Faculty | Faculty of Science |
School/department | School of Earth Sciences |
Teaching institution | University of Bristol |
Awarding institution | University of Bristol |
Mode of study | Full or Part Time |
Programme length |
1 years (full time)
2 years (part time) |
This programme aims to develop the student’s interest in, and knowledge and understanding of, the physical processes governing the behaviour of volcanoes
The programme will provide:
Students on the programme will develop quantitative and computational skills, including the use of statistical and data handling software. They will become proficient in critical analysis of scientific material from a variety of sources, including primary research documents and original data. They will develop synthesis skills and the ability to write concise and informative material targeted for a variety of audiences. They will be given information about research and career opportunities in related areas, and encouraged to build their skills portfolio during the programme and to take up careers-advice services provided by the University of Bristol.
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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|
Taught units will provide fundamentals through lectures, guided practical activities, and some self-guided learning on topics provided. In their research modules (‘Research Methods in Volcanology and the ‘Thesis’ component) students will develop independent research skills, under supervision from their supervisor. Completing the project may require students to develop external contacts. |
Methods of Assessment | |
The taught programme will used mixed assessment methodologies, including written essays; technical analysis and research reports; quantitative problem-solving; exams; project work and presentations (group and individual). The Stage 2 [reviewing the literature and designing a research project] assessment will require the preparation of a critical review of the literature relating to the student project work, and a clear documentation of the intended methodology to be applied. The thesis stage [3] will be the assessment of a completed dissertation containing original research. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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|
Experiential and experimental learning – hands-on practical tasks using modelling and data analysis techniques in different applications |
Methods of Assessment | |
Task-based assessment, with progressive development of skills. Some peer assessment (formative rather than summative) based up development of course resources (specifically the Guatemala field trip guide book). |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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|
Some instruction [Stage 1]. Group learning with peer-review and guidance from supervisor and course tutor. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Students will be challenged to evaluate and distill the current literature which will be assessed in the their literature review (through report and presentation) and academic review of the project thesis. |
Statement of expectations from the students at each level of the programme as it/they develop year on year.
Level C/4 - Certificate |
NA |
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Level I/5 - Intermediate |
NA |
Level H/6 - Honours |
NA |
Level M/7 - Masters |
NA |
Level M/7 - Postgraduate Certificate |
Students are expected to have developed a solid foundation of subject specific skills underpinned by the interdisciplinary scientific principles underlying processes that govern the behaviour, frequency and intensity of volcanic hazards. Students will be able to apply the principles and undertake more in-depth analysis, and be able to communicate with others in a sound scientific manner. Students will be more at ease in being able to guide themselves in analysis of their own performance, and of setting and achieving their aims. |
Level M/7 - Postgraduate Diploma |
Students will have an expanded range and depth of subject specific knowledge, through the structured development stage of their research projects. Students will undertake planning, management and data collection for a research project. With the support of their supervisor(s), students will have become confident in their ability to collect, synthesise, and evaluate scientific literature and data resources, and they will be better able to communicate and defend their own ideas and interpretation of the work. |
Level M/7 - Postgraduate Masters |
Most of the work undertaken at this level will be at, or informed by, the latest research findings and concepts. Students will have the opportunity to work closely with the international research community within the Earth Sciences department. They will undertake research analyses, documenting their activity, findings and interpretation as for publication. This will enable the students to be fully conversant with the principles of a research-led learning environment, and communicate the results and interpretation in a mature manner to a scientific audience. |
Level D/8 - Doctoral |
NA |
The intended learning outcome mapping document shows which mandatory units contribute towards each programme intended learning outcome.
For information on the admissions requirements for this programme please see details in the postgraduate prospectus at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/prospectus/postgraduate/ or contact the relevant academic department.
Additional costs
In addition to the fees for the programme, a student may encounter the following costs:
Depending on optional unit choice a student has the opportunity to take part in a field trip. Costs will vary from year to year.
e-mail: earth-postgrad@bristol.ac.uk
Topics in Volcanology and Research Methods in Volcanology are must-pass units. For the definition of must pass units please see the Glossary of Terms from Annex 1 to the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Research Methods in Volcanology | EASCM0041 | 30 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Topics in Volcanology | EASCM0056 | 30 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Volcanic Processes, Models and Hazards | EASCM0065 | 40 | Mandatory | AYEAR |
Thesis (Volcanology) | EASCM0043 | 60 | Mandatory | AYEAR |
Choose 20 credits from the following optional units:: | ||||
Frontiers in Earth Science | EASCM0061 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Seismology | EASCM0018 | 10 | Optional | TB-2C |
Advanced Geophysical Fluid Dynamics | EASCM0064 | 10 | Optional | TB-2C |
Natural Hazards in Central America | EASCM1008 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Advanced Igneous Petrology | EASCM0049 | 10 | Optional | TB-2D |
Natural Hazards in Central America (without fieldwork) | EASCM0050 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
MSc | 180 |
The pass mark set by the University for any level 7(M) unit is 50 out of 100.
For detailed rules on progression please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.
All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to exit from the programme with a postgraduate diploma or certificate.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.
An award with Merit or Distinction is permitted for postgraduate taught masters, diplomas and certificates, where these are specifically named entry-level qualifications. An award with Merit or Distinction is not permitted for exit awards where students are required to exit the programme on academic grounds but is permitted in designated programmes (as set out in the programme specification) where students choose to withdraw from the intended programme but otherwise achieve the necessary credit points for the exit award.
The classification of the award in relation to the final programme mark is as follows:
Award with Distinction*: at least 65 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation. **Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
Award with Merit*: at least 60 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 60 out of 100 for the dissertation. Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
* The MA in Law has separate regulations for awarding distinction and merit.
** For the award of Distinction, the Faculty of Engineering requires at least 70 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation.
All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to choose, or be required, to leave at the postgraduate diploma or certificate stage.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.
Students are able to take this programme on a part-time basis over two years. Part-time students will enrol on a selection of the units listed below and then take the others in their second year. All mandatory units must be completed over the course of the programme. The Thesis is completed in Year 2.
Topics in Volcanology and Research Methods in Volcanology are must-pass units. For the definition of must pass units please see the Glossary of Terms from Annex 1 to the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Mandatory units appear in this list | ||||
Research Methods in Volcanology | EASCM0041 | 30 | Optional | TB-2 |
Topics in Volcanology | EASCM0056 | 30 | Optional | TB-1 |
Volcanic Processes, Models and Hazards | EASCM0065 | 40 | Optional | AYEAR |
Choose 20 credits from the following optional units: | ||||
Frontiers in Earth Science | EASCM0061 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Seismology | EASCM0018 | 10 | Optional | TB-2C |
Advanced Geophysical Fluid Dynamics | EASCM0064 | 10 | Optional | TB-2C |
Natural Hazards in Central America | EASCM1008 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Advanced Igneous Petrology | EASCM0049 | 10 | Optional | TB-2D |
Natural Hazards in Central America (without fieldwork) | EASCM0050 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
90 |
Students are able to take this programme on a part-time basis over two years. Part-time students will enrol on a selection of the units listed below in the first year and then take the others in their second year. All mandatory units must be completed over the course of the programme.
Topics in Volcanology and Research Methods in Volcanology are must-pass units. For the definition of must pass units please see the Glossary of Terms from Annex 1 to the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Mandatory units appear in this list | ||||
Research Methods in Volcanology | EASCM0041 | 30 | Optional | TB-2 |
Topics in Volcanology | EASCM0056 | 30 | Optional | TB-1 |
Volcanic Processes, Models and Hazards | EASCM0065 | 40 | Optional | AYEAR |
Thesis (Volcanology) | EASCM0043 | 60 | Optional | AYEAR |
Select 20 credits from the following optional units: | ||||
Frontiers in Earth Science | EASCM0061 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Seismology | EASCM0018 | 10 | Optional | TB-2C |
Advanced Geophysical Fluid Dynamics | EASCM0064 | 10 | Optional | TB-1B |
Natural Hazards in Central America | EASCM1008 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Advanced Igneous Petrology | EASCM0049 | 10 | Optional | TB-2D |
Natural Hazards in Central America (without fieldwork) | EASCM0050 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
MSc | 90 |
The pass mark set by the University for any level 7(M) unit is 50 out of 100.
For detailed rules on progression please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.
All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to exit from the programme with a postgraduate diploma or certificate.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.
An award with Merit or Distinction is permitted for postgraduate taught masters, diplomas and certificates, where these are specifically named entry-level qualifications. An award with Merit or Distinction is not permitted for exit awards where students are required to exit the programme on academic grounds but is permitted in designated programmes (as set out in the programme specification) where students choose to withdraw from the intended programme but otherwise achieve the necessary credit points for the exit award.
The classification of the award in relation to the final programme mark is as follows:
Award with Distinction*: at least 65 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation. **Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
Award with Merit*: at least 60 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 60 out of 100 for the dissertation. Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
* The MA in Law has separate regulations for awarding distinction and merit.
** For the award of Distinction, the Faculty of Engineering requires at least 70 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation.
All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to choose, or be required, to leave at the postgraduate diploma or certificate stage.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
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