MSc Geoscience for Sustainable Energy / Course details

This unit provides the opportunity for students to put the skills and techniques learnt in the taught part of the program into practice in an independent, but supervised research project. Students will design their ideal research topic with advice from staff, or alternatively be assigned a project in their area of interest as long as it is based around an energy or petroleum geoscience theme.

Ultimately, the work is presented in the form of a written dissertation and a conference style oral presentation.

Recent projects have involved topics including:

· Field work, core study

· Laboratory / microscope / SEM analysis of petrophysical samples

· Workstation based analysis of 3D and /or 2D seismic and associated well/ production data.

· Artificial intelligence or machine learning interrogation of data

Students may use University of Manchester research facilities to gather and analyse data. Past projects have made use of SEM/ QEMSCAM, XRD, X-ray computed tomography (CT) and traditional microscopy, UAV (drone) imagery, petrophysical and other laboratory facilities.

The independent project is intended to demonstrate that the student can apply the technical and communication skills learnt in the taught part of the MSc/Diploma course to an independent piece of research that is relevant to the Energy industry.

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

• Conceptualise and design a research project within the context of Petroleum Geoscience that applies, and builds on skills learnt in the taught part of the MSc/ Diploma
• Demonstrate skills in project and time management
• Implement skills in research methodology, including the acquisition, evaluation and integration of different types of data
• Critically analyse data and integrate with existing knowledge to compose and develop a scientific argument
• Evaluate the risk and uncertainties associated with data analysis and be able to propose alternative models
• Construct and effectively communicate an oral summary of their research project findings to a mixed specialist and non-specialist audience

The research project takes place over approximately 12 weeks from the beginning of June. During this time the student will organise and direct their independent research project with the help of a University of Manchester supervisor. Research data is typically sourced from subsurface studies, reports, field work, the literature, or directly from an energy or geophysical company; the final report can be kept confidential if required. The content of the dissertation will be agreed with the supervisor and also, if applicable, with an industrial sponsor. A formative assessment of the introductory section and regular supervision discussions aim to ensure that the project work is progressing on track.

Presentation (individual poster) (0%)

Dissertation, 10,000 words (80%)

Oral (individual), 12 mins +3 for questions (20%)

Dissertation draft - Formative assessment on introduction, aims/objectives and intended report structure. Feedback provided in individual meeting, or as a marked-up script

Presentation (individual poster) - During the poster creation process

DIssertation, 10,000 words - N/A

Oral (individual), 12 mins +3 for questions - N/A

An introductory reading list may be provided tailored to an individual project. Thereafter students are expected to direct their own use of published material.