HR909-60 Project/Work Placement/Dissertation
Introductory description
The project is a stand-alone component of the MSc, allowing the Student to experience, first-hand, research skills, hypothesis development, hypothesis testing, data collection, data handling, data evaluation and result presentation.
Module aims
As part of the project, the student will present and discuss plans, data and outputs with group members and supervisor. The topic will relate to knowledge gained during the taught modules and be an opportunity to exploit
both this knowledge and the core skills developed during the course. The problem will be relevant to current and developing research programmes or work practices and will make a contribution to the ongoing operation of the host group.
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.
Students may undertake a lab-based research project, a dissertation (dry or desk-based research), or a work placement, subject to availability. Lab-based projects are selected from ongoing departmental research programmes and involve training followed by independent participation in project design, experimentation, and data analysis, culminating in a research paper. Students will also deliver a short assessed seminar on their project approximately one month after starting, delivering a project introduction, preview and plan.
For placements, students work to a project plan agreed with a line manager and departmental supervisor, collecting experience and data to form the basis of a research paper based on data, outcomes or other evidence collected on the placement. Day-to-day supervision is provided by the placement line manager, with regular liaison with the departmental supervisor.
For dissertations (dry or desk-based research projects), a supervisor will agree a suitable research topic with the student and guide them in identifying and analysing relevant sources of data, evidence or other relevant material, culminating in the delivery of a research paper.
The project normally involves three months of enquiry and data collection followed by one month of synthesis, analysis and paper writing.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Have an advanced and critical knowledge of a selected aspect of a topic related to the degree.
- Critically evaluate contemporary practice and discuss critically relevant practices and achievements. Presentation of a reasoned argument or experimental plan is expected.
- Recognise, suggest and exploit appropriate strategies.
- Collect, analyse and interpret data and use it to help solve a problem associated with their topic.
Research element
Research project
Subject specific skills
By the end of the module, the student should be able to collect and analyse data and use it to help solve a problem associated with their topic.
Transferable skills
Communicate contemporary practice and discuss critically relevant practices and achievements. Present a reasoned argument or experimental plan.
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Project supervision | 6 sessions of 1 hour (1%) |
| Private study | 444 hours (74%) |
| Assessment | 150 hours (25%) |
| Total | 600 hours |
Private study description
Research
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Students can register for this module without taking any assessment.
Assessment group A5
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
Assessment component |
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| Research Performance | 16% | No | |
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Research performance mark awarded by the project supervisor based on the supervisor's assessment of performance through the project. |
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Reassessment component is the same |
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Assessment component |
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| Seminar | 20% | 30 hours | No |
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Seminar presentation. Maximum duration time to include questions. |
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Reassessment component is the same |
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Assessment component |
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| Research paper | 64% | 120 hours | No |
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A 6000 words formatted scientific journal article. |
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Reassessment component is the same |
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Feedback on assessment
Assessors write a commentary on each element of the written component, and all comments are presented to the student via Tabula. Assessor records and feedback forms are collated after the seminar component, and all comments are presented to the student via Tabula.
Courses
This module is Core for:
- Year 1 of THRA-D4A1 Postgraduate Taught Environmental Bioscience in a Changing Climate
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THRA-D4A3 Postgraduate Taught Food Security
- Year 1 of D4A3 Food Security
- Year 1 of D4A3 Food Security
- Year 1 of THRA-D4A2 Postgraduate Taught Sustainable Crop Production: Agronomy for the 21st Century
This module is Core optional for:
- Year 2 of THRA-D4A3 Postgraduate Taught Food Security