Module overview
Key Skills module for the MSc Applied Coastal and Offshore Geoscience
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Critically research, evaluate and synthesise the findings of peer-reviewed publications
- Write a well-structured scientific report
- Deliver a research seminar suitable for a scientific audience
- Plan and execute coastal fieldwork
- Work effectively individually and as part of a team for field sampling and data collection.
- Develop basic skills in computational programming and data analysis and visualisation
Syllabus
Lectures, seminars, workshops and fieldwork covering the material in this course take place throughout Semester 1. Sessions cover the following areas:
Communication and research skills:
- Academic Responsibility and Conduct (Academic Integrity)
- Writing an academic literature review
- Communicating research to wider audiences
IT and data analysis and visualisation:
- Introduction to numerical computing and programming language
- Time series analysis and visualisation
Fieldwork:
- Boat work covering applied coastal oceanography
- Chartwork for coastal boat work planning
- Production of a fieldwork report
Directed study materials and self-study guides covering a range of wider skills are also included.
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Communication and Research Skills:
These sessions provide students with training and experience in evaluating research papers, preparing academic literature reviews, and presenting results to their peers.
IT & Data Analysis: These workshops cover the fundamentals of computational programming, data presentation, use of statistics and general introductions to Matlab and Python (including time series analysis and 2D datasets).
Boat work:
Boat work activities are intended to familiarise students with a range of techniques used in coastal oceanography, while also exercising teamworking skills and collecting data for analysis. Students will be able to plan, carry out and report on a field campaign to measure water column structure, sediment characteristics and other parameters to describe and characterise a UK estuary. Students will also receive training in preparing a Risk Assessment for the work; and will gain experience in using Acoustic Doppler Current ProfilerS (ADCP), Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) profilers and water samplers, water filtration for suspended sediment concentration, sediment grabs and other appropriate sampling and data collection methods for coastal and estuarine oceanography.
A wide range of support can be provided for those students who have further or specific learning and teaching needs.
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Tutorial | 16 |
| Guided independent study | 40 |
| Practical classes and workshops | 20 |
| Seminar | 4 |
| Completion of assessment task | 70 |
| Total study time | 150 |
Assessment
Assessment strategy
Boatwork Report (50%): Students will prepare a technical report presenting, analysing and interpreting fieldwork data collected during their boatwork activities to characterise Southampton Water Estuary.
Oral Presentation (10%): Students will prepare and present to their peers on a relevant topic on coastal and offshore geoscience and engineering.
Computing Assignment (40%): Students will undertake tutorials covering time-series analysis and 2D datasets.
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Computing assignment | 40% |
| Boatwork report | 50% |
| Oral presentation | 10% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal