| Unit name | Research Skills and Project Planning for Scientific Computing |
|---|---|
| Unit code | CHEMM0036 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Fey |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
EITHER CHEMM0027 (Introductory Pathway) OR CHEMM0028 (Intermediate Pathway) |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Chemistry |
| Faculty | Faculty of Science |
Why is this unit important?
In this unit, you will identify and develop key skills in project planning as wellas the specific research skills relevant to your chosen project. In meetingswith the course team, you will be able to demonstrate your capability as anindependent researcher.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study
Project planning and training in key research skills are critical to allow you totake ownership of your project at an early stage and ensure realistic targetsare set and achieved. These are key skills for any scientist, both inapplications of Scientific Computing and Data Science to challenges acrossthe sciences, and as transferrable skills.
An overview of content
In consultation with your supervisor, you will set project goals and identify training requirements and key background literature. You will develop and implement transferrable skills in project management, including safety and data management planning as well as technical research skills. During regular scheduled meetings with the project supervisor, research group, second assessor and course team, you will be able to communicate project aims, context, progress and future plans.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
You will have individual ownership and responsibility for the research project and delivery. Milestones will be reviewed in research group and assessor meetings. You will be confident that the project aims can be delivered and will have a clear understanding of the commitments required from the outset (which will depend on the nature of the project).
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this unit, you should be able to:
1) Independently manage a research project
2) Identify key transferable skills needed to be a competitive research scientist.
3) Communicate your project to peers.
As the title suggests, this is a project-oriented unit and is directly linked to the main project unit, CHEMM0026. This unit assesses the key technical research and transferrable skills developed prior to the project to enable you to plan and deliver the research aims independently.
You will work with a member of staff and their research group. You will identify in advance several preferred project topics and supervisors. Academic performance and your prior experience will then be used to determine the final allocation to ensure an even distribution of students across academic staff.
You will define the scope of the project in consultation with your supervisor. You will jointly identify training needs and you will prepare a plan for the duration of the project identifying key milestones (simulations/data analysis/experiments + safety and data management plan). You will be expected to work semi-independently under the direction of your project supervisor, using your initiative to co-create and then develop the project. Day to day ongoing support will typically be provided by a member of the research group team. Project work will also be supported by regular formal and informal meetings with the project supervisor, the course team, and a second assessor.
Typically, there are organised training/induction activities specific to the research group. In addition, training/taught content associated with access to key central resources may also be required.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks
Computing, data-analysis and presentation skills developed in other units contribute towards training for this unit.
Engagement in project meetings with the supervisor will provide regular opportunities for feedback on plans and progress. Formative discussions will also take place in relation to training needs and transferable skills.
You will be expected to attend research group meetings and research seminars as appropriate to your research area as these will provide valuable insights into how research projects develop and are communicated.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark
Not applicable - the unit mark will be provided by the associated research project unit and this unit will only comprise key formative activities.
When assessment does not go to plan
Supplementary or resit assessment of this unit is only possible through engagement in the following academic year
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. CHEMM0036).
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 University 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. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
