| Unit name | Frontiers in Earth Science |
|---|---|
| Unit code | EASCM0061 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Professor. Rich Pancost |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
Successful completion of years 1-3 of the relevant degree programme. Volcanology MSc students who wish to take this unit must discuss it with the unit director before choosing it as an option. |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
N/A |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
N/A |
| School/department | School of Earth Sciences |
| Faculty | Faculty of Science |
Why is this unit important?
The Earth Sciences is a dynamic, evolving discipline, continuously incorporating new ideas and approaches and addressing the challenges of the 21st century. Being an engaged Earth Scientist, therefore, requires an aptitude in reading, critiquing, discussing and presenting the most current academic literature. During Frontiers, students will hear presentations on some of our discipline’s most recent and exciting findings and read widely around the surrounding literature. Recent topics have included arsenic cycling, peat microbiology, the formation of copper resources, methane rain on Titan, the evolution of herbivorous dinosaurs, African tectonics, and the latest seismic technology. Students discuss and debate that literature, exploring its wider context, the methods used (and why), the key results and the wider implications. Through their own essays, they refine their understanding of the literature and develop new writing and communication skills.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
This Unit is key to the transformation in learning from lectures and practicals to learning from independent reading and collaborative discussion. In doing so, it builds on all that has come before while creating the foundation for independent research projects later in the year. Similarly, the writing skills developed in Frontiers and the associated feedback will be essential to students as they write their research project literature reviews, proposals and dissertations.
An overview of content
Frontiers comprises a critical examination of key topics in the Earth Sciences, especially recent advances or controversies. The aims are to develop an understanding of the recent evolution of the discipline and its relevance to global challenges. In doing so, it also develops critical skills in reading and interpreting the scientific literature, critiquing papers and presentations, and writing skills. The unit comprises one introductory week on scientific literature reading and writing, followed by five weeks of topical study. Each topical week comprises an introductory lecture by an academic expert, follow-up reading, and a forum (online discussion board and in person) discussing that topic in detail. In addition, students must attend at least 10 School Seminars and deliver a concise presentation inspired by them in week 11.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit?
Students will emerge from this course with a dramatic change in their ability to engage with scientific literature. They will read, discuss, and analyse ~30 papers spanning five topics. They will have enhanced writing skills, developed through their reading and critiquing as well as their own writing and associated feedback.
Learning Outcomes
Students will learn how to:
Content will be delivered through a combination of
Much of the learning in this course is independent, via reading of the weekly discussion papers and more widely around the topic.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative)
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
When assessment does not go to plan
The University’s Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes outline the requirements for progression on and completion of degree programmes. Students who miss an exam and self-certify their absence may complete a supplementary assessment for an uncapped mark as if taken for the first time. Resit and supplementary exams are habitually taken during the reassessment period later in the summer. As far as is practicable and appropriate, resit and supplementary assessments will be in the same form as the original assessment but will always test the same intended learning outcomes as the initial missed or failed assessment. In the case of group work, failure by a whole group would result in an appropriate group task being set and reassessed for all group members. If a single student fails a group assessment or is unable to participate for an evidenced reason, an individual reassessment will be set.
There are rigorous and fair procedures in place to support students who are ill or whose studies and assessments are affected by exceptional circumstances.
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. EASCM0061).
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.
