MSc Pollution and Environmental Control

Year of entry: 2025

View tabs
View full page

Course unit details:
Research Project

Course unit fact file
Unit code	EART60372
Credit rating	60
Unit level	FHEQ level 7 – master's degree or fourth year of an integrated master's degree
Teaching period(s)	Summer semester
Available as a free choice unit?	No

Overview

The unit will involve research activities in environmental science with a focus on environmental pollution, undertaken by the student under the supervision of academic staff, who will be assisted in this task by other members of academic staff, postgraduate research teaching associates The summative assessment of the unit will be solely through the submission of research project report.

The EART60372 Research Project will be the research project for which each student has prepared as part of EART62062.

Pre/co-requisites

Unit title	Unit code	Requirement type	Description
Environmental MSc Tutorial	EART62062	Co-Requisite	Compulsory

Aims

The aim of this course unit is to provide the opportunity for students to execute a substantial environmental science research project.

Learning outcomes

On the successful completion of the course, students will be able to:		Developed	Assessed
ILO 1	from the reviewed literature or otherwise, describe the key theories and concepts relevant to a specified research area and, in particular, compare and contrast data outputs that would be consistent with different theoretical models or hypotheses	Yes	Yes
ILO 2	identify a research question and clearly summarise the relevant and key points of context as well as the aims and objectives arising	Yes	Yes
ILO 3	devise and justify a project, field or laboratory design demonstrably appropriate to meet the research project requirements	Yes	Yes
ILO 4	apply relevant literature review, computer modelling, field and/or laboratory protocols relevant to obtaining data for the purposes of preparing an environmental research thesis	Yes	Yes
ILO 5	present data and other outputs in a clear manner with determination and reporting of quality parameters and application of appropriate and justified statistical tests	Yes	Yes
ILO 6	appraise data sets, assessing their quality	Yes	Yes
ILO 7	interpret the implications and significance of data sets and develop arguments to justify the interpretation	Yes	Yes
ILO 8	apply key skills and attributes of those seeking employment in the environment sector by planning, executing and submitting in good time a research thesis meeting the required standards of the University of Manchester	Yes	Yes

Syllabus

The first two weeks consist of a two-week ‘boot camp’ covering practical skills and data/sample gathering, as dictated by the needs of the project subject.

The students have 10 weeks to complete their data analysis and dissertations. There are group tutorials every 2 weeks, and, as necessary, a drop-in session lead by the project leads at week 3 (or when appropriate) to support this process.

Teaching and learning methods

Learning in this course unit will be based upon (i) an intensive, 2-week ‘boot camp’ period covering practical skills (laboratory, field, computer modelling and data analysis) necessary to conduct the research on the assigned topic, supplemented with optional ‘drop-in’ sessions lead by the project leads, (ii) small group sessions with others working within the same project area and (iii) independent study and research.

This will be supported by reading lists and further e-learning materials made available on Blackboard, however, much of the material recommended for further project-specific learning will be as recommended by the project supervisors and through self-learning. Thus, students will be expected to carry out both directed and independent reading, including of the University of Manchester MyLearningEssentials resources; as well as directed and independent exercises helpful to the completion of their research thesis. Practical work will generally be done in laboratories and the field under the supervision of academic staff with the assistance of technical staff and teaching assistants/associates

Formative feedback is offered for a section of the student’s draft dissertation.

The feedback strategy is designed to help develop a student’s ability to self-assess their own progress. Feedback will be delivered throughout the duration of each group session via both group and one-to-one staff-student interactions post boot camps. During the boot camp students will be guided through the various exercises and offered comments on their technique.

Assessment methods

Method	Weight
Dissertation	100%

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Practical classes & workshops	60
Tutorials	10

Independent study hours
Independent study	530

Teaching staff

Staff member	Role
James Allan	Unit coordinator

Additional notes

Additional activities: Further supervision as agreed, depending upon specific requirements of the research project

Return to course details