Introductory description

CH948 is based around students completing and recording tasks that they are already doing as part of their degree, completing a portfolio and reflecting on what they have learnt.

The portfolio will be prepared throughout the Master's and submitted at the completion of the course as some aspects relate to the research project. The portfolio will be assessed by the module lead.

Please note that this module is graded on a pass/fail basis. Students are required to pass all tasks to pass the module and, in turn, are required to pass the module to pass the degree.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

General introduction to graduate studies at Warwick including safety, and the library.

Team development, learning styles, team roles etc.

Meaningful seminar engagement and ability to discuss seminar content critically.

Preparation for departmental or group-related activity.

Presenting scientific work to varied audiences by poster, or by other digital means i.e. blog post or web page, writing a paper/report, writing a thesis, giving a technical and non-technical talk, assessing presentations of colleagues.

Careers consultation, CV and interview preparation.

Consideration of ethical responsibilities, research integrity and scientific conduct.

Further self-directed activities that involve interaction with and elements of leadership or management of other people. These activities will be planned and chosen through discussion with the module lead or course director as appropriate.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Operate safely and effectively in the science graduate research environment at Warwick
• Understand team working and learning styles
• Write and format scientific reports, papers or journals
• Present the results of research to both scientific and non-scientific audiences
• Coordinate/Organise a project in a small team
• Be aware of research integrity and ethical responsibilities of proper scientific conduct
• Understand how one operates and functions in different settings and to use different skills to achieve this
• Demonstrate awareness of personal development towards career progression: interview techniques and CV preparation

Interdisciplinary

Portfolio of transferable skills development

Subject specific skills

Ability to operate safely and effectively in the science graduate research environment at Warwick.
Ability to engage with scientific seminars and their content effectively.

Transferable skills

Critical thinking -
Make informed decisions on the value of a range of sources allowing an evidence-based conclusion based on this analysis.

Self-awareness -
Actively seek opportunities for personal development in the context of employment and life.
Aware of personal strengths and emotional intelligence
Reflect on learning and evaluate personal practices, strengths and opportunities for personal growth.
Reflect on and respond constructively to feedback from a range of sources, demonstrating how it will be used to enhance performance, understanding and future outputs.

Communication -
Communicate orally in a clear and sensitive manner which is appropriately varied according to different audiences.
Written: Present arguments, knowledge and ideas, in a range of formats.
Active listening: questioning, reflecting, summarising.

Teamwork and working effectively with others -
Operate within, and contribute to, a respectful, supportive and cooperative group climate.
Sensitive to the impact of actions on others.

Information literacy (research skills) -
Critical awareness of how information is gathered, used, managed and synthesised
Understanding of the relative value of different sources and the importance of provenance.

Digital literacy -
Comfortable with using digital media to communicate, solve problems, manage information, collaborate, create and share content.

Professionalism -
Prepared to operate autonomously.
Manages priorities and time