MSc by Research - Research Project

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• Time management
• Written and oral presentation
• Teamwork
• Critical analysis of research literature
• Scientific computing
• Research skills

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Critically review the literature in an area of science that is new to you
• Plan and complete a research project within a fixed time period
• Analyse and interpret new scientific results
• Identity novel research areas
• Produce a thorough but concise scientific report
• Assess the wider significance of these results, including any commercial applications

You will work with your project supervisor to identify and constrain the scope of your research project, which represents the majority element of this programme. In doing so, you will critically review the relevant field and define your project within it. This activity will also contribute to assessments within other modules in the Programme. The research project itself will then star in earnest at the end of Semester 1, typically running from February to September and will be full-time from June to September.

The project will be linked to ongoing research in SOES and/or the NOC and may involve the acquisition of new data, the analysis of existing data in a novel way, or the development and testing of a new method. The project is expected to lead to results that are publishable in the peer-reviewed scientific literature.

Independent research will be supported by regular (typically weekly) meetings with your supervisor. Tutorials will also be provided, including a session on “Publishing & Paper Writing Skills”, as well as other opportunities for training, such as a scientific computing course, team-building course, seminars/workshops in science communication, professional skills, and opportunities to attend research seminars within NOCS. You will have an opportunity to practice and receive feedback on oral presentation skills by giving a practice seminar on your research early in the summer.

A wide range of support can be provided for those students who have further or specific learning and teaching needs.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.