Undergraduate Course: Research Methods in Physical Geography (RMPG) (EASC09053)
Course Outline
| School | School of Geosciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 9 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This course is made of two components related to research methods. In semester one, lectures and practicals will provide training in data management and in the use of computer programming to analyse data using physical geography examples. In parallel, a series of workshops throughout the year will develop students' ability in generation and testing of scientific hypotheses. The course will culminate with the production of a research proposal in which students will describe the scientific motivation for their dissertation project, the main goal of the project and the methods they will use to achieve this goal. |
| Course description |
Programming and Data Analysis: Semester 1:
Wk1: Basic Programming and data visualisation
Wk2: Probability and sampling
Wk3: Correlation and Regression
Wk4: Multivariate Regression (online programming test)
Wk5: Time Series analysis
Wk6: Spatial data analysis
Wk7: Numerical solution of differential equations
Wk8: overview
Workshops for Research Design: all year long. The milestones are:
Sem 1 Wk7: discussion of preliminary ideas in small groups
Sem 2 Wk2: 4th Year GPG dissertation conference
Sem 2 ILW: Mock peer-review interview based on assessment of students' proposals
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2016/17, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Full Year |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 39,
Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 39,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
118 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Online programming test: 15%«br /»
Assignment- programming and data analysis: 35%«br /»
Dissertation Proposal: 50% |
| Feedback |
Not entered |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Acquire skills in computer programming
- Develop an understanding of a range of data processing/analysis techniques and the ability to determine suitable data analysis approaches to test hypotheses
- Define a research question or a scientific hypothesis to test
- Search for literature and gather information on the topic
- Define a rigorous strategy for data collection and analysis
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Reading List
Statistics and Data Analysis in Geology (Davis, JC. Wiley)
Geostatistics explained: an introductory guide for earth scientists (McKillup, S and Dyar, MD. Cambridge)
Walliman, N (2004) "Your undergraduate dissertation". London: Sage
Kneale, P (2011) "Study Skills for Geography, Earth and Environmental Science Students". Hodder Education. |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Programming,Data Analysis,Research Design,Dissertation |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Daniel Goldberg
Tel: (0131 6)50 2561
Email: Dan.Goldberg@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Sarah Thomas
Tel: (0131 6)51 1473
Email: Sarah.Thomas@ed.ac.uk |
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