°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±¼Ç¼
AD1ARS: Agricultural Research Skills
Module code: AD1ARS
Module provider: School of Agriculture, Policy and Development
Credits: 20
Level: 4
When you'll be taught: Semester 1 / 2
Module convenor: Dr Gillian Rose, email: g.rose@reading.ac.uk
Pre-requisite module(s):
Co-requisite module(s):
Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):
Module(s) excluded:
Placement information: NA
Academic year: 2024/5
Available to visiting students: No
Talis reading list: No
Last updated: 18 November 2024
Overview
Module aims and purpose
Sustainable farming practices are based on the application of scientific research. This module will introduce you to a range of research topics and methods currently used within the agriculture industry. You will plan, conduct and analyse a group research project working alongside a member of our research staff. After critically analysing your results, you will present your research in the form of a scientific poster to your peers and the wider School staff.Ìý
Module learning outcomes
By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:Ìý
- Execute a collaborative research project, including formulating a relevant research question and related hypotheses, accurately collecting and recording information, storing, manipulating and analysing research dataÌý
- Present scientific research findings written and verballyÌý
- Manage, evaluate and reflect on skills development, identify where more training/support is required and demonstrate a clear plan to develop skillsÌý
Module content
Semester 1Ìý
University-level agricultural research and associated academic skills will be explored through a series of taught sessions. Students will be allocated a research topic and will work in a team alongside a member of staff to create a research question and hypotheses. A detailed review of literature will provide the background to the research topic and a Gantt chart will enable effective time management. A range of essential skills will be introduced including teamwork, scientific writing, reading peer reviewed papers and citing/referencing using the Harvard style.Ìý
Semester 2Ìý
Students will conduct their group research project with support from a member of staff. Results will be presented in a scientific poster presentation session with an accompanying verbal presentation.Ìý
Structure
Teaching and learning methods
This module will be taught in a long-thin format over 2 semesters.ÌýÌý
The module introduces the research process and academic skills development in a series of lectures.ÌýÌýÌý
With the support from their research supervisor, students should confidently lead and drive their group research project, engaging with group meetings and seminars.Ìý
Study hours
At least 10 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.
ÌýScheduled teaching and learning activities | ÌýSemester 1 | ÌýSemester 2 | ÌýSummer |
---|---|---|---|
Lectures | 8 | 2 | |
Seminars | |||
Tutorials | |||
Project Supervision | 2 | 6 | |
Demonstrations | |||
Practical classes and workshops | |||
Supervised time in studio / workshop | |||
Scheduled revision sessions | |||
Feedback meetings with staff | |||
Fieldwork | 2 | 10 | |
External visits | |||
Work-based learning | |||
ÌýSelf-scheduled teaching and learning activities | ÌýSemester 1 | ÌýSemester 2 | ÌýSummer |
---|---|---|---|
Directed viewing of video materials/screencasts | |||
Participation in discussion boards/other discussions | |||
Feedback meetings with staff | |||
Other | 10 | 10 | |
Other (details) | Group work | Group work | |
ÌýPlacement and study abroad | ÌýSemester 1 | ÌýSemester 2 | ÌýSummer |
---|---|---|---|
Placement | |||
Study abroad | |||
ÌýIndependent study hours | ÌýSemester 1 | ÌýSemester 2 | ÌýSummer |
---|---|---|---|
Independent study hours | 78 | 72 |
Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.
Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.
Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.
Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.
Assessment
Requirements for a pass
Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.
Summative assessment
Type of assessment | Detail of assessment | % contribution towards module mark | Size of assessment | Submission date | Additional information |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Written coursework assignment | Literature review | 30 | 1,500 words | Semester 1, Teaching Week 11 | |
Oral assessment | Group scientific poster presentation | 50 | Semester 2 | Physical poster presentation and discussion with peer review. | |
Written coursework assignment | Skills reflection | 20 | 1,000 words, plus skills table and evidence | Semester 1, Assessment Week 3 |
Penalties for late submission of summative assessment
The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:
Assessments with numerical marks
- where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
- the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
- where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
- where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.
Assessments marked Pass/Fail
- where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
- where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.
The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.
Formative assessment
Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.
- Formative feedback on one chapter of the dissertation, date to be agreed with supervisor
- Formative feedback on one draft of the scientific poster
Reassessment
Type of reassessment | Detail of reassessment | % contribution towards module mark | Size of reassessment | Submission date | Additional information |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Written coursework assignment | Essay | 100 | 2,500 words |
Additional costs
Item | Additional information | Cost |
---|---|---|
Computers and devices with a particular specification | ||
Required textbooks | ||
Specialist equipment or materials | ||
Specialist clothing, footwear, or headgear | ||
Printing and binding | ||
Travel, accommodation, and subsistence |
THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS MODULE DESCRIPTION DOES NOT FORM ANY PART OF A STUDENT'S CONTRACT.