| Unit name | Aerosol Science: Thematic Broadening Sabbatical |
|---|---|
| Unit code | CHEMM0019 |
| Credit points | 60 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52) |
| Unit director | Dr. Miles |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
Core Aerosol Science I |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Chemistry |
| Faculty | Faculty of Science |
Why is this unit important?
Undertaking a short research project will allow you to experience and learn from the challenge of performing an open-ended activity. You will have significant autonomy in determining the aims and direction of the research, including considering how best to respond to unforeseen challenges. Supported by an academic member of the Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT), you will have the opportunity to implement the concepts and skills gained during your formal training in Teaching Blocks 1 and 2, broadening your research expertise and developing key transferable skills.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study
This unit builds on the Core Aerosol Science I and II, Impact and Translation, Computational and Data Tools, and Environment and Communication taught units, playing an important role in reinforcing your prior learning. Through undertaking the research project, you will develop your transferable skills including project and time management, the ability to work independently and as part of a wider research team, your written and oral presentation skills, and your problem solving and data analysis skills.
An overview of content
This unit will provide you with training and experience in academic, pedagogical, or responsible innovation-based research, relevant to the field of aerosol science. You will undertake a substantial body of original research under the guidance of an academic supervisor, taking the initiative in driving your project forwards. It is hoped that your work will lead to the generation of new knowledge that is of potentially publishable importance.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
By taking the lead in an open-ended investigation, you will develop your research initiative as well as transferable skills such as problem solving, project management, and the ability to communicate your ideas clearly both orally and in written form. The project will provide you with the opportunity to further develop your skills as an independent learner, with the ability to work semi-autonomously and direct your own activity.
Learning Outcomes
Learning by doing:
At the end of the unit a successful student will be able to:
1. Apply and build on their existing knowledge of aerosol science through the in-depth study of an aerosol related topic.
2. Design and conduct experiments/models related to aerosol science with technical mastery, as well as analyse and interpret data.
3. Identify, formulate, critique and solve research problems within their specialised context to advance the understanding of aerosols.
4. Invent or revise advanced methodological approaches to contemporary problems in aerosol science, recognising the complexity and tolerating the ambiguity that arises in real-world systems.
5. Assess their personal intellectual development as a self-critical, reflective scientist, able to understand and articulate their skills and values, and with the agility to respond to new challenges.
You will work with an academic member of staff and their research team to undertake an inquiry-based research project. Your research topic will be co-created by you in collaboration with the academic member of staff and the Centre for Doctoral Training, with both individual and joint projects available. You will be expected to work semi-autonomously, taking the lead in driving forwards the research agenda and using your initiative to solve problems. You will be supported during the project by regular formal and informal meetings with the supervising academic and their research team. You will also receive support from a personal tutor in the Centre for Doctoral Training. The short research project will be 14 weeks duration in total, consisting of 12 weeks of experimentation and 2 weeks of report preparation.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
You will be assigned an academic mentor, who will either be your short project supervisor or a suitable nominated deputy. It is anticipated you will meet with your mentor each week to discuss progress on the project, with formative feedback provided as part of these meetings. You may also receive feedback from other members of the research group you are working in, or other members of the Centre for Doctoral Training more broadly.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
For PhD Progression:
Fourteen weeks after the start of your short research project you will submit a short written report in the format of a journal manuscript. The written report will be discussed at your PhD progress monitoring interview, which will be organised in accordance with your home institutions progression policy. The interview will include a representative of the CDT. If your progress is deemed satisfactory, you will progress to the next year of your PhD. Please note that in the case of successful progression to the PhD, you will not receive the 60 credit points for the Thematic Broadening Sabbatical unit – these are only awarded for assessment of a full written dissertation at viva for the purposes of an exit award (see below)
For MRes Exit Award:
Within eight weeks of the scheduled end of your short research project, you will submit a written dissertation (15,000 words equivalent maximum) according to University of Bristol Postgraduate Taught Degree regulations. The written dissertation (60% of assessment) will be assessed by your mentoring team (PhD supervisor and short project supervisor) and another representative of the CDT. One member of your mentoring team and a representative of the CDT will also assess your performance during a 30-minute viva (40% of assessment). Academic success will lead to the awarding of the 60 credit points associated with the unit.
When assessment does not go to plan
For PhD Progression:
If you are unable to submit your report by the deadline because of exceptional circumstances, you will be granted a limited extension. Opportunities for reassessment following academic failure will be in line with the regulations of your home institution.
For MRes Exit Award:
If you are unable to submit your dissertation by the deadline because of exceptional circumstances, you will be granted a limited extension. Opportunities for reassessment following academic failure will be in line with University of Bristol regulations.
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. CHEMM0019).
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 University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
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. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
