University of St Andrews

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 15

ECTS credits : 7

Level : SCQF level 10

Semester: Both

Availability restrictions: BSc students may only take this module in Semester 1, MGeol students can take this module in either semester. Available to General Degree students with the permission of the Honours Adviser

Planned timetable: Not applicable.

The student proposes a geoscience or environmental science topic that has not been directly covered in a taken module. They discuss the suitability of the topic with a staff member who agrees to become adviser to the student. Student and adviser are required to meet 2 further times during the module. Research of the peer-reviewed literature is conducted and the student writes a critical review of ca. 3,500 words, developing their own ideas and critically evaluating data. The same material is also presented in a 15 minute seminar to staff and classmates. Advice on critical writing and presenting talks is given a year before the start of the module, on entry to Junior Honours, for use throughout the Honours programme. The seminar is assessed by multiple staff.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisite(s): Admission to an Honours Earth Sciences programme or Environmental Earth Science

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact: Occasional lecture and ca. 3 meetings with adviser spread across the semester.

Scheduled learning hours: 10

Guided independent study hours: 140

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: Practical Examination = 15%, Coursework = 85%

As defined by QAA
Written examinations : 0%
Practical examinations : 15%
Coursework: 85%

Re-assessment: Oral Examination = 100%

Personnel

Module coordinator: Dr C R Cousins
Module teaching staff: Earth and Environmental Sciences staff
Module coordinator email crc9@st-andrews.ac.uk