Unit information: Topics in Volcanology in 2021/22

Unit name	Topics in Volcanology
Unit code	EASCM0056
Credit points	30
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director	Professor. Rust
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 current topics in Volcanology will be reviewed, discussed and debated. The unit will include lectures on scientific communication (including writing, drafting figures, power point and poster presentations), in addition to student presentations and student-led discussions. The written component of the unit will receive extensive feedback aimed at improving writing skills as well as scientific understanding. The unit will culminate in the writing of a literature review on a topic from a list provided by the unit director.

The main aims are to:

• develop an understanding of current debates in Volcanology, including hazard and risk
• improve communication skills (oral, visual and written)
• encourage and build skills of critical thinking
• identify and access appropriate library or electronic information relevant to a topic
• produce a coherent, analytical, up-to-date, and accurate report on the various positions in a debate

Intended Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to

• synthesise different perspectives on scientific debates in both oral and written forms
• debate controversies in group discussions
• analyse key strengths and weaknesses of scientific arguments, including learning to separate data from interpretation

Teaching Information

Presentations/discussions to be done online or in person

Assessment Information

100% coursework, comprising:

• Two essays (2000 words each): the first will receive formative feedback; the second will be for summative assessment (25%)
• Presentation: 20%
• Participation in discussions: 5%
• Literature review (10 pages): 50%

The classroom component is based on student presentations and guided discussions. Each student will give one presentation and will lead or co-lead one discussion; all students however will be expected to prepare for and participate in every discussion.

The two essays will be reports on the presentation/discussion topics from two of the weeks where they are not a presenter or discussion leader.

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. EASCM0056).

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.