Module overview
Scientific literacy refers to the ability of individuals to understand, evaluate, and engage with scientific information and concepts in a meaningful way. It involves not only knowing scientific facts but also understanding the processes of scientific inquiry, critical thinking, and the nature of evidence in Ocean and Earth Science.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the principles and processes of the scientific method, including how they relate to the School's Academic Integrity protocols.
- Analyse and interpret data presented in various formats, identifying relevant statistical approaches in a hypothesis testing framework.
- Communicate scientific concepts effectively through oral and written means to diverse audiences, making use of library resources to substantiate your arguments.
- Critically evaluate scientific information to distinguish between reliable and unreliable sources.
- Describe Ocean and Earth science problems in a quantitative manner, and apply mathematical and computational techniques to solve them.
Syllabus
Scientific literacy invokes the ability to critically analyse information, evaluate evidence, and solve problems using scientific reasoning. This module introduces key skills in these areas to introduce students to University study.
Through the module, students will apply scientific principles and methods to real-world situations in awareness of the societal, environmental, and moral implications of scientific research and technological advancements.
Foundational skills that span Ocean and Earth Science include information and literature searching, responsible use of Artificial Intelligence, citation and management, research ethics, construction of written arguments, communication and presentational skills, data manipulation and visualisation as well as numerical and statistical analysis of experimental, temporal and geospatial data.
Small group tutorials are held over both semesters to introduce students to their particular degree subjects and chosen areas of interest in greater depth.
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Whole-group lecture and computer practical sessions using open-source and licensed software platforms to set baselines for transferrable skills that span the whole School.
Small group practicals on the School research vessel RV Callista to implement general lessons in the natural (anthropogenically altered) environment.
Small group tutorials to promote active engagement in the classroom while generating personalised feedback and opportunities for self-reflection.
Groupwork to build communication, collaboration, and leadership skills, as well as clear goals and guidelines for working together.
Short videos of key definitions and concepts to serve as a resource to introduce material and for later revision; recording of whole-group lecture and practical sessions as a revision guide to supplement in-person attendance.
Guided independent study to promote ownership of student learning and greater depth of study in areas of personal interest.
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Practical | 65 |
| Fieldwork | 5 |
| Tutorial | 10 |
| Independent Study | 200 |
| Lecture | 20 |
| Total study time | 300 |
Assessment
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Reflective account | 5% |
| Essay | 25% |
| Mathematical modelling | 25% |
| Statistics Test | 25% |
| GIS Map Package | 20% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External