University of St Andrews

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 60

ECTS credits : 30

Level : SCQF level 11

Semester: Full Year

Availability restrictions: Available only to students enrolled on the MSc in Statistical Ecology

Planned timetable: Individual supervision by arrangement with supervisor

Students will submit a portfolio comprising a range of outputs based on a single research topic. The submission will consist of a compulsory element (50% of the module grade) alongside a free choice element (50% of the module grade). The compulsory component comprises a report (maximum 4000 words, 30% of the module grade) alongside a reflective element (maximum 1000 words, 10% of the module grade), and an oral presentation (maximum 15 minutes, 10% of the module grade) summarising the project topic. For the free choice elements students can optionally choose either a 15-30 minute short film (modern essay, 50% of the module grade) or two of the following elements (25% each): podcast, webpage, poster, field report, training materials. The reflective element contained in the compulsory component describes (in part) why each portfolio element was chosen and describes the audience each element is intended to reach.

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact: Project meetings with supervisor, by arrangement

Scheduled learning hours: 12

Guided independent study hours: 576

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: Coursework = 100%

As defined by QAA
Written examinations : 0%
Practical examinations : 0%
Coursework: 100%

Re-assessment: Not available

Personnel

Module coordinator: Dr C S Sutherland
Module teaching staff: Team Taught
Module coordinator email css6@st-andrews.ac.uk

Intended learning outcomes

• Learn how to conduct research on a topic of the student's choice
• Equip students with transferable skills in the communication of scientific work to lay and expert audiences
• Ability to communicate scientific research effectively through oral presentations
• Ability to communicate scientific research effectively through a written report
• Give students experience of communicating scientific research through media other than oral presentation or written report, including some of the following: video, podcast, web page, poster, field report and training materials