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ADMRES: Research Skills in Agriculture, Ecology and Environment
Module code: ADMRES
Module provider: School of Agriculture, Policy and Development
Credits: 20
Level: Postgraduate Masters
When you'll be taught: Semester 1
Module convenor: Dr Jake Bishop, email: j.bishop@reading.ac.uk
Pre-requisite module(s):
Co-requisite module(s): IN THE SAME YEAR AS TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE ADMREP (Compulsory)
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: 20 May 2024
Overview
Module aims and purpose
Develop essential knowledge and skills for research in agriculture, ecology and the environment. This module prepares you to design and conduct your independent Masters level extended research project. Acquire and apply knowledge in experimental design and statistics and develop skills in field study methods and use of R statistical software for data manipulation and analysis. Visit a variety of research organisations on a series of field visits, during which you will explore the different types of research methods and approaches used in the sector.Â
Module learning outcomes
By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:
- Identify a question and form a testable hypothesis
- Design an appropriate experiment incorporating relevant research methods and statistical analyses in R statistical software
- Appraise and contrast different research methods and approaches in agriculture, ecology, the environment
Module content
The module will use a range of teaching approaches including lectures, seminars, practical sessions, and field visits to research organisations to equip students with the essential skills for an independent Masters-level extended research project.
You will learn about the fundamentals of experimental and observational study design and the key statistical concepts and analyses of relevance to agriculture, ecology and the environment. You will apply this knowledge and develop programming, data manipulation and statistical analysis skills through a series of computer-lab sessions using R statistical software.
Through practical sessions and visits to a diverse range of external research organisations, you will develop a broad understanding of the research methods and approaches in the sector. This includes controlled environment and field crops research methods, survey methods and species identification. The field visits also offer an opportunity to gain insights into possible future career paths.
Structure
Teaching and learning methods
The module includes a series of lectures, field based practical classes at the university’s Sonning Farm, field visits and computer lab classes.
Study hours
At least 40 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.
 Scheduled teaching and learning activities |  Semester 1 |  Semester 2 | Ìý³§³Ü³¾³¾±ð°ù |
---|---|---|---|
Lectures | 22 | ||
Seminars | |||
Tutorials | |||
Project Supervision | |||
Demonstrations | |||
Practical classes and workshops | 21 | ||
Supervised time in studio / workshop | |||
Scheduled revision sessions | |||
Feedback meetings with staff | |||
Fieldwork | |||
External visits | 24 | ||
Work-based learning | |||
 Self-scheduled teaching and learning activities |  Semester 1 |  Semester 2 | Ìý³§³Ü³¾³¾±ð°ù |
---|---|---|---|
Directed viewing of video materials/screencasts | |||
Participation in discussion boards/other discussions | |||
Feedback meetings with staff | |||
Other | |||
Other (details) | |||
 Placement and study abroad |  Semester 1 |  Semester 2 | Ìý³§³Ü³¾³¾±ð°ù |
---|---|---|---|
Placement | |||
Study abroad | |||
 Independent study hours |  Semester 1 |  Semester 2 | Ìý³§³Ü³¾³¾±ð°ù |
---|---|---|---|
Independent study hours | 133 |
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 50% 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 | Field notebook | 50 | Semester 1, Teaching Week 8 | Submit an illustrated field notebook documenting your notes and reflections from the lectures, practicals and external visits. | |
Written coursework assignment | Experimental design assessment | 50 | Semester 1, Assessment Period | Apply the broad range of skills developed across the module to design your own study, and justify your decision-making at each step. The assessment includes the rationale, the experimental design, statistical analysis, and the annotated R code you would use to conduct that analysis. |
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 tests during the R software course
Reassessment
Type of reassessment | Detail of reassessment | % contribution towards module mark | Size of reassessment | Submission date | Additional information |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Written coursework assignment | Experimental design assessment | 100 |
Additional costs
Item | Additional information | Cost |
---|---|---|
Computers and devices with a particular specification | ||
Required textbooks | ||
Specialist equipment or materials | ||
Specialist clothing, footwear, or headgear | You should ensure that you have a waterproof coat ($4£45) and trousers ($4£20) and a pair of wellington boots ($4£20) and/or sturdy footwear e.g. walking boots ($4£45) for field practicals and visits (should you need to purchase these, approximate costs are in brackets). | £20-£130 |
Printing and binding | ||
Travel, accommodation, and subsistence |
THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS MODULE DESCRIPTION DOES NOT FORM ANY PART OF A STUDENT'S CONTRACT.