Natural Sciences

In this module you will continue to work on the research project you started in Year 3 (NSC3002). You will work in pairs and for the remaining duration of the project will become a member of the research group.

You will gain a valuable insight into scientific research, but will also have an opportunity to make a real contribution to this research.

This module constitutes the second part of a two-part 90-credit project extending over Stages 3 and 4 of the MSci programme, where NSC3002 constitutes the first part. In addition, the project may be further extended, subject to agreement from your project supervisor, and director of studies or programme director, by electing to take module NSCM002 (project extension) in your fourth year.

The aim of this module is to allow you to bring together the knowledge, expertise and skills you have acquired to address a real problem in a research environment. This module aims to foster the skills in open-ended problem solving you will need as a practicing researcher, but which are also highly valued in many other professions.

On successful completion of this module, you should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:

• 1. Keep a professional record of the research, including electronic data
• 2. Produce a conference proceedings paper containing original results and analysis, of the type typically used to present work at scientific conferences
• 3. Produce a scientific oral presentation introducing the field of research, outlining the research objectives, the methodology undertaken, the results and conclusions
• 4. Defend the results of the project orally in a fluent and coherent form

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:

• 5. Solve problems using initiative, imagination and creativity
• 6. Develop advanced data analysis and presentation skills
• 7. Act in a professional, safe and ethical manner

Personal and Key Transferable/Employment Skills and Knowledge:

• 8. Communicate effectively by means of oral and written presentations
• 9. Practise highly effective individual time management

Project Work 1: In the Autumn Term you will spend an average of three days per week on project work (making a total of 33 days).

Project Work 2: In the Spring Term you will spend a further 33 days' work on further analysis and preparation of an individual (not joint) conference proceedings paper (submission end of Term 2) and oral scientific presentation (to be given at the Natural Sciences undergraduate conference in the Summer Term.

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 50%) you will be required to re-submit the relevant assessment(s). The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 50%.

Reading list for this module:

• McMillan, K, Weyers, J, "How to Write Essays and Assignments" , Pearson Education Skills Set (2009), ISBN: 978-0273726951
• McMillan,K, Weyers, J, "How to Write Dissertations and Project Reports" , Pearson Education (2009), ISBN: 978-0273726937
• Bowden, J, "Writing a report: how to prepare, write and present effective reports" 8th, How To Books Ltd (2008), ISBN: 978-1845282936

Yes

• ELE page: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=4874
• Web of Science
• Scopus
• Institutional subscription to scientific journal