| Unit name | Research Methods in Palaeobiology |
|---|---|
| Unit code | EASCM0069 |
| Credit points | 40 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Cunningham |
| 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) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Earth Sciences |
| Faculty | Faculty of Science |
Why is this unit important?
This unit gives students their first taste of postgraduate research. It provides them with focused training in the practical aspects of their thesis project. Students will complete a prescribed study with support and guidance from their supervisor(s) and present this work in oral and written formats. This will allow them to master skills and techniques needed for their project and to move forward to the dissertation phase with confidence.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study
This unit is for students in on the Palaeobiology MSc programme. It provides in-depth training in the specific analytical approaches required for their research project. It builds upon the theoretical knowledge gained in earlier classes and the project plan that students have developed and prepares students for the dissertation.
An overview of content
Each student will design a prescribed study in agreement with their supervisor(s). In this study a data set will be gathered and appropriate analyses completed. Students will have regular supervisory meetings in which the project supervisor(s) will provide close advice and assistance in gathering data and will advise on appropriate analytical methods and on the interpretation of the findings. Students will present their research in the form of a short research presentation and a scientific manuscript after receiving advice on this from the supervisor(s).
How will students be different as a result of the unit?
Students will have gained experience and practical skills that are directly relevant to their research project as well as experience of presenting research findings in different formats.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit students will be able to:
You will receive initial training and will then learn through your own independent research with regular advice and feedback from your supervisor.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Students will receive feedback from their supervisor(s) on a practice presentation and one plan and one draft of their written report.
Tasks which contribute towards your unit mark:
Penalties for exceeding the specific word and/or page limit will be applied.
When assessment does not go to plan
The University's Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes outline the requirements for progression on and completion of degree programmes. Students who miss an exam and self-certify their absence may complete a supplementary assessment for an uncapped mark as if taken for the first time. Resit and supplementary exams are habitually taken during the reassessment period later in the summer. As far as is practicable and appropriate, resit and supplementary assessments will be in the same form as the original assessment but will always test the same intended learning outcomes as the initial missed or failed assessment. In the case of group work, failure by a whole group would result in an appropriate group task being set and reassessed for all group members. If a single student fails a group assessment or is unable to participate for an evidenced reason, an individual reassessment will be set.
There are rigorous and fair procedures in place to support students who are ill or whose studies and assessments are affected by exceptional circumstances.
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. EASCM0069).
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.
