Unit information: Geophysics Research Project in 2021/22

Unit name	Geophysics Research Project
Unit code	EASC30056
Credit points	30
Level of study	H/6
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director	Dr. Nick Teanby
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	N/A
Co-requisites	N/A
School/department	School of Earth Sciences
Faculty	Faculty of Science

Description including Unit Aims

In this unit students undertake and experience the process of conducting an independent research investigation integrating field and computational methods. Each year, a number of projects are offered; each project is supervised by one or two members of staff and can be done by 4 to 6 students. Although some aspects of the project work may be conducted as a group (e.g. data gathering during fieldwork), each student completes their own literature review, analysis and synthesis of data, computational work and write-up.

Prior to undertaking the project-specific fieldwork, all students participate in a one week group desk study in which they digitise, aggregate and interpret pre-existing datasets and other information, familiarise themselves with relevant geophysical methods and equipment, develop project objectives, and design acquisition strategies for later fieldwork.

Intended Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the unit, students will be able to:

• develop project objectives and viable strategies for collection, analysis and interpretation of data
• demonstrate investigative and analytical skills relevant to the project
• identify and access appropriate library- or archive-based information
• collect and manage information and/or findings, and decide when it is sufficient to meet the aims of the project
• produce a project report in the form of a scientific paper
• plan and manage time throughout a research project, from initial fieldwork planning to final production of the report

Teaching Information

Independent work with supervised components in the field and laboratory. Students who either begin or continue their studies in an online mode may be required to complete laboratory or fieldwork, or alternative activities, in person, either during the academic year 2020/21 or subsequently, in order to meet the intended learning outcomes for the unit, prepare them for subsequent units or to satisfy accreditation requirements.

Assessment Information

The project will be assessed on the basis of a written report (100%). The page limit for the report is 20pp, excluding references, figures, tables and appendices.

In the event of the unit not being passed students will be set additional work which must be completed over the Summer and submitted at the start of the resit/supplementary exam period.

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. EASC30056).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.