Unit information: Climate Change MSc Research Project in 2020/21

Unit name	Climate Change MSc Research Project
Unit code	GEOGM0009
Credit points	60
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52)
Unit director	Dr. Sue Rodway-Dyer
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	n/a
Co-requisites	Other core units in MSc Climate Change Science and Policy
School/department	School of Geographical Sciences
Faculty	Faculty of Science

Description including Unit Aims

The aim of this unit is for students to design, execute and write up a research project on their chosen topic. Students will pursue a topic, developing and undertaking specific areas of inquiry under supervision to produce their final dissertation. The key focus will be on original analysis and interpretation, and the ultimate aim will be to produce research outputs of a standard that could contribute to a scientific publication. Students will be expected to demonstrate an ability to draw together a range of skills, techniques and subject sources to explore their chosen topic. Students will be supervised by a specialist supervisor, or supervisors as appropriate. The unit is assessed via a written dissertation in the form of a journal publication and by an oral presentation.

Intended Learning Outcomes

On successful completion, students will:

1. be able to design, plan and implement a research project that it is feasible within the available time to high scientific and professional standards.
2. be able to successfully organise their own resources, including time, to produce a piece of work under a tight timeline.
3. be able to adapt and react if the project diverts from the original plan.
4. have developed specific practical and analytical research skills that relate to their research methodology e.g. accessing and assessing appropriate secondary data (library- or archive-based information, model output), modelling, field work, lab work, policy analysis, etc.
5. be able to link their specific research to the wider scientific literature and broader societal context.
6. be able to confidently communicate scientific results in an oral presentation to a scientific non-specialist audience such as at a science conference.
7. be able to present a clear, coherent, and structured argument in written form, in the style of an academic research paper to the standard expected for submission of a manuscript to a leading international journal.

Teaching Information

Independent study and research supported by supervisor

Assessment Information

Written 10,000-15,000 word dissertation report in the form of an academic journal research paper (100%) [ILOs 1-7]

Reading and References

Specific to the project, and to be discussed with the project supervisor and unit co-ordinator during the project