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• Undergraduate study:
• Courses
• Order a prospectus
• How to apply
• Information for applicants
• Why choose Kingston University
• Disability and mental health support
• Accommodation
• Undergraduate fees
• Fees, funding and payments
• Access, participation and inclusion

Research Project and Contemporary Issues

• Module code: GG6410
• Year: 2017/8
• Level: 6
• Credits: 30
• Pre-requisites: GG5090 or GG5170
• Co-requisites: None

Summary

This limited contact module is core for students on the Geology (NFGLO) and Environmental Hazards & Disaster Management (NFEHD) degree programmes.  It includes an optional fieldwork element for NFEHD students only (fieldwork is covered elsewhere in the Geology programme). Students will undertake a pre-planned research project, with pre-agreed staff supervision.  This project will involve collection, processing and interpretation of primary data, derived either from laboratory or field studies, followed by writing of a research project report.  An interim seminar will be delivered by each student to report on progress. For the remainder of  the module, NFEHD students choose between an exotic overseas field course and independent and small group desk-based studies focusing on contemporary issues in Hazards and Disaster Management.  Geology students will take the desk-based studies.

Aims

• To design, plan and implement an independent research project on a topic relevant to hazards and disaster management;
• To conduct independent and group work to analyse a range of contemporary issues in Geology or Hazards and Disaster Management.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

1. Plan and conduct laboratory or field-based primary data collection with a view to producing a coherent research project on a specific topic in Geology or Hazards & Disaster Management;

2.  Process and interpret this primary dataset, using appropriate qualitative and quantitative techniques;

3. Produce a major piece of academic writing by way of a 7,500 word research project report;

4. Present an interim seminar, detailing progress towards the final project outcomes;

5. Undertake field-based, or desk-based, data collection, processing and interpretation on a range of contemporary issues relating to Geology or the assessment of risk and management of hazards and/or disasters in a specified regional environment (programme dependent).

Curriculum content

• Analysis of : project management; academic report writing; preparation and presentation of academic seminars;
• Undertaking of an independent research project comprising primary data collection, processing, interpretation and reportage;
• Introduction to contemporary issues in Geology or Hazards & Disaster Management as follows:

For students on the Geology degree:

• A series of guided, desk-based mini-projects examining topical issues related to regional and global geology.  These mini-projects will focus on specific geographic regions around the world.

For students on the Environmental Hazards & Disaster Management degree:

• EITHER:  A series of guided, desk-based mini-projects examining issues related to emergency planning, risk assessment, disaster risk reduction, operational procedures, and public engagement in disaster management.  These mini-projects will focus on specific geographic regions around the world and compare disaster management in these different regions. 

• OR:  A series of guided, field-based mini-projects examining issues related to emergency planning, risk assessment, disaster risk reduction, operational procedures, and public engagement in disaster management.  These mini-projects will focus on a specific geographic region with different climatic and geological conditions to the UK .

Teaching and learning strategy

This module is delivered through a limited series of generic tutorials covering project management, academic presentation and report writing and contemporary issues in Geology or Hazards & Disaster Management.  Subsequent to these tutorials, student will be supervised in either desk-based mini-projects or field-based mini-projects addressing areas of the curriculum content indicated above.  Both individual and group projects will be undertaken, each facilitated by academic staff.

Breakdown of Teaching and Learning Hours

Assessment strategy

This module will contain elements of formative and summative assessment.

Formative assessment will take place during research project tutorials and contemporary issues mini-project supervision.  Staff will provide formative assessment on research project progress during an interim project presentation.

Summative assessment:

1. Research Project final report (80%)
2. Contemporary Issues mini-project reports (20%).

Mapping of Learning Outcomes to Assessment Strategy (Indicative)

Elements of Assessment

Achieving a pass

It IS NOT a requirement that any major assessment category is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.

Bibliography recommended reading

As directed by staff and relevant to contemporary issues mini-projects.