GV2RTS-Research Training for Geography and Environmental Science

Module Provider: Geography and Environmental Science
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Mike Simmonds
Email: m.j.simmonds@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module enables the development of a wide range of professional skills, including research training, project management, career awareness and employability. The main focus of the module is a team based research project, in which students work closely with an academic mentor to carry out a piece of carefully planned and highly professional research. Students will act as consultants, designing, executing and reporting on a research project that meets the original project brief. Students will also be asked to tailor their CV to a subject-relevant job advert for which they should be qualified to apply for. They will also produce a supporting covering letter. This element will be supported by the Careers Service. Students will encounter more advanced-level research skills training. They will also gain experience of the ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø Research Ethics and Health and Safety processes as they prepare for their project.Ìý

Aims:

The aims of this module are:

1. To allow students to experience an authentic, professional research experience;


2. To introduce students to the Careers Service and give them experience of accessing support from a Careers Adviser and online support materials;


3. To give students experience of an authentic recruitment and selection process;


4. To give students experience of the problems and opportunities associated with working in a small team;


5. To develop research project management skills, including working to a project brief and meeting deadlines;


6. To prepare students for their Part 3 dissertation or other independent research project.Ìý

Assessable learning outcomes:

The career learning element of this module has the following assessable learning outcomes:

1. Ensure students understand how to research employer requirements and have a knowledge of the typical range of skills employers expect graduates to be able to offer;Ìý


2. Develop students understanding of what makes an effective CV, covering letter and application form with a view to enabling students to create targeted applications to their employer of c hoice


3. Ensure students recognise the purpose and process of all selection procedures including interviews and assessment centres and support students in preparing their own strategies for effective self-presentation at interview


4. The research project element of this module has the following assessable learning outcomes:


5. Ensure students can design, execute and report on a research project that meets a specific briefÌýDevelop students ability to se lect appropriate research methods and ensure they can justify these choices


6. Check students are able to navigate the ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø Research Ethics and Health and Safety processesÌý

Additional outcomes:

The career learning element of this module has the following additional outcomes:

1. It will enable students to identify and reflect on their own strengths and preferences, interests, motivations and personality and understand how these relate to different career options and further study;


2. It will ensure students engage in explicit personal development reflection in relation to their career preferences with the purpose of motivating them to develop employability skills, gain relevant work experience and gain other experiences that will increase their chances of gaining graduate level work;


3. It will provide students with a broad awareness of the typical graduate careers and postgraduate study options open to their degree discipline and outline the research skills and techniques they could use to identify other career options they might want to pursue.

This module also aims to develop a wide range of key skills through a programme of self-directed study. These skills include collecting, analysing, and presenting data. Students will work as a participant or leader of a