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 | Dr. Jo House |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
n/a |
Co-requisites |
GEOGM0009 Climate Change MSc Research Project |
School/department | School of Geographical Sciences |
Faculty | Faculty of Science |
The two key aims of this unit are
It 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 dissertation project, and are attractive to prospective employers.
The topic is chosen by the student and will be aligned with the subsequent dissertation research projects, with support from the same supervisor throughout this unit and the dissertation project where possible. This is an independent piece of research, with guided supervision and group training workshops and opportunities for Q&A and peer-to-peer feedback.
The specific focus will vary with topic, while it will primarily involve literature research, review and interpretation, it could also include an element of computational exercises and laboratory training in preparation for the subsequent research project.
This unit aims to develop foundational competence in research and a suite of highly transferable skills. On successful completion, students will:
Supervision and feedback details:
Students will have access to their supervisors via office hours to develop their literature review/research topic. The amount of contact hours will depend on the nature of the project and the training required, but as a rough guide you can expect 5 hours of contact time.
The supervisor will discuss the proposed content, structure, results, scientific ideas and the formulation of your project topic, aims and objectives. There will be opportunities for peer-to-peer feedback of drafts and past exemplars in relation to marking criteria.
There will be workshop sessions on writing a policy briefing, including opportunities for peer-to-peer feedback of drafts and past exemplars in relation to marking criteria.
Additional workshop and training sessions will be arranged as needed.
Students are encouraged to maintain a personal learning portfolio (similar to a lab or field notebook, but reflecting the diversity of knowledge and approaches this requires).
The literature review is assessed in three components:
Specific to the project, and to be discussed with the project supervisor and unit co-ordinator during the project.