2019/20 | Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences Intranet

Module Title	MSci Research Project 2 Extension	Credit Value	15
Module Code	NSCM002	Module Convenor	Professor Marc Goodfellow

Duration: Term	1	2	3
No. of weeks		11

Number students taking module (anticipated)	10

Module description

In this module you will have the opportunity to spend extra time on your research project (NSCM001) to extend the work undertaken, for example by performing additional data analyses or conducting a more in depth review of relevant literature. It is possible that this will facilitate the preparation of a manuscript suitable for submission to a scientific journal for publication.

You will gain a deeper understanding of the field of research and/or more extensive insight into scientific data analysis, together with experience of constructing a full length journal-style article.

This module can only be taken with the agreement of your project supervisor, and director of studies or programme director. The module is an extension of NSCM001 for those projects showing excellent progress together with sufficient scope for further data analysis or potential of candidates to construct a high quality review-focussed article.

Module aims

The aim of this module is to allow you to extend your research to put together a full length journal-style article that is potentially suitable for consideration by a scientific journal for publication. This is an extremely important skill for a scientist or researcher.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)

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

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:

1. Perform quality research above that undertaken as part of NSC3002/NSCM001
2. Write a (hypothetical) draft letter to the Editor of the chosen journal summarising the importance and context of the research, and reasons why it should be considered for publication
3. Produce a full length original research or review-style manuscript suitable for submission to a scientific journal for publication

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:

4. Exemplify the highest levels of scientific integrity

Personal and Key Transferable/Employment Skills and Knowledge:

5. Communicate in writing to a professional standard

SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module

Project Work: In weeks 1-6 of Term 2 you will spend 9 days on your project in addition to that spent in NSCM001, including the preparation of a draft letter.

Manuscript Preparation: In weeks 7-10 of Term 2 you will spend 6 days preparing a draft manuscript for submission in the Summer Term.

LEARNING AND TEACHING

LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
73	77	0

DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled Learning and Teaching	10	Planning meetings with project supervisor
Scheduled Learning and Teaching	63	Nine days of project work
Guided independent study	77	Additional research, reading and preparation for module assessments

ASSESSMENT

FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Oral review of progress	Weekly five minute oral assessment of progress by project supervisor	All	Oral

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
100	0	0

DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Letter to journal editor	15	One A4 page letter	1-2, 4-5	Individual marksheet
Draft scientific manuscript	85	Scientific manuscript prepared to meet publishers requirements	All	Individual marksheet

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessment	Form of re-assessment	ILOs re-assessed	Timescale for re-assessment
Letter to journal editor	Letter to journal editor	1-2, 4-5	August ref/def
Draft scientific manuscript	Draft scientific manuscript	All	August ref/def

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES

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%.

RESOURCES

INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener

Reading list for this module:

Katz, Michael J, " From Research to Manuscript: A Guide to Scientific Writing”, Springer (2009), ISBN: 978-1402094668

Module has an active ELE page?

Yes

Web based and electronic resources

ELE page: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=4875
Web of Science
Scopus
Institutional subscription to scientific journal

Other resources

CREDIT VALUE	15	ECTS VALUE	7.5

PRE-REQUISITE MODULES	NSC3002 MSci Research Project 1
CO-REQUISITE MODULES	NSCM001 MSci Research Project 2

NQF LEVEL (FHEQ)	7	AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING?	No
ORIGIN DATE	19/02/2013	LAST REVISION DATE	13/07/2017

KEY WORDS SEARCH	Scientific writing, science publishing

Natural Sciences

MSci Research Project 2 Extension (2019/0)