MSc Key Skills and Literature Review

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Better manage your research project using time management and interpersonal techniques
• Technical writing
• Theory, practice, acquisition, analysis integration and interpretation of oceanographic data across a range of oceanographic applications to test findings and hypotheses.
• Plan and execute coastal fieldwork
• Teamworking
• Development of testable hypotheses
• An understanding of topics currently at the frontiers of research and many of the specialist techniques used to investigate them.
• Knowledge of academic and non-academic career pathways open to oceanographers.
• Critically research, evaluate and synthesise the findings of peer-reviewed publications
• Structure an academic literature review
• Oral presentation
• Prepare for job or PhD applications
• Poster Presentation
• Development of suitable scientific method
• Critical evaluation
• Effective science communication for non-specialist audiences
• Design poster presentations suitable for a scientific audience
• A holistic ability to consider the complexity and interconnections of the ocean system from a range in interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary perspectives
• Awareness of issues and University policy surrounding Academic Integrity
• Researching literature

Lectures, lab practicals and fieldwork sessions covering the material in this course take place throughout Semesters 1 and 2. Self-study materials are also available in some cases. Sessions cover the following areas:

Communication and research skills:

• Writing research papers
• Presenting research seminars
• Preparing poster presentations
• Writing a research proposal
• Writing an academic literature review
• Communicating research to wider audiences

IT and data analysis:

• Introduction to MATLAB
• Introduction to Surfer
• Introduction to Ocean Dataview
• Data presentation

Professional skills:

• Career development (CVs, job application, interview technique)
• Professional skills (negotiation, time management, teamwork, etc.)

Fieldwork:

• Boatwork covering physical, chemical, biological oceanographic and marine geological techniques
• Chartwork.

Teaching and learning methods

Communication and Research Skills: These sessions provide students with training and experience in writing research papers, preparing academic literature reviews, producing research proposals and presenting results in seminars, posters and communication with the wider public.

IT & Data Analysis: These sessions cover the fundamentals of data presentation, data visualization and general introductions to Ocean Dataview, Matlab and Surfer.

Professional Development: These sessions provide advice on applying for job and PhD opportunities and training in 'personal effectiveness' techniques useful for the MSc project.

Boatwork: MSc boatwork activities are intended to familiarise students with a range of techniques and equipment used in physical, chemical and biological oceanography and marine geology, while also exercising team working skills and exploring features of estuarine oceanography.

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

Assessment strategy

Boatwork Report (10%): Students will prepare a report based on the data they collect during the MSc boatwork week, presenting the motivation (hypothesis) for the study and methods, appropriate risk assessment, overview of data collected, analyses performed, and evaluation of hypothesis. Formatted as for cruise reports for larger research expeditions.

Poster and Oral presentation (20%): Students will present an academic poster (digital) accompanied by a short "elevator pitch" style presentation, communicating their proposed independent research project to their peers.

Literature Review (70%): Students are required to prepare a 6000 word academic literature review on a title related to the area of their project, set by the project supervisor.

Popular science article (Formative exercise): Students are required to write a New Scientist-style news article about a recent paper in marine science, following training in how to communicate with non-specialist audiences.

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

Summative

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

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal