Unit information: MSc Literature review with report and presentation in 2012/13

Unit name	MSc Literature review with report and presentation
Unit code	GEOGM0008
Credit points	40
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Professor. Dan Lunt
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	n/a
Co-requisites	n/a
School/department	School of Geographical Sciences
Faculty	Faculty of Science

Description including Unit Aims

This unit provides supported learning that builds on the broad overview provided in the lecture-based component of the MSc programme and develops written and oral transferable skills that will be necessary to complete the research project and are attractive to prospective employers. The focus will generally be on a topic that is aligned with the subsequent research projects, with supervision of the work by the eventual project supervisor, but this is not necessary. It develops foundational competence and a suite of highly transferable skills. The specific focus will vary with topic and could include a combination of computational exercises, laboratory training and (primarily) literature review and interpretation. The students will prepare a draft literature review and presentation and be formatively assessed, with extensive feedback from their supervisor, on both.

Intended Learning Outcomes

On successful completion, students will:

• have experience in the coherent formulation of a research problem in the context of previous work;
• be able to plan a programme of enquiry that addresses research problems, choosing appropriate analytical or computational tools;
• have the skills needed to thoroughly research the background to a research topic in such a way as to elucidate the key steps in advancing our understanding of it;
• have gained experience in producing a clear synthesis of the background material and proposed methodologies, both on paper and in oral presentation;
• have acquired a knowledge and understanding of scientific practice.

Teaching Information

Students will maintain a personal learning portfolio (similar to a lab or field notebook, but reflecting the diversity of knowledge and approaches that this MRes requires).

Assessment Information

Final assessment will be based on a final written report on their literature review (90%) and the degree with which feedback has been incorporated and an oral presentation of their findings and conclusions (10%).

Reading and References

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