ENVR356-21X (C) General non-calendar-based 2021

Field-focused Research Methods in Environmental Science

30 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 8 February 2021
End Date: Sunday, 20 June 2021
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Sunday, 21 February 2021
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Friday, 14 May 2021

Description

This course links field-based learning and/or data collection with instruction in research methods and tutorials dedicated to working in research teams analysing, processing and interpreting data in the broad subject area of environmental science.

GEOL356 and ENVR356 is an undergraduate research course for students enrolled in the Frontiers Abroad programme. This course is designed to link field modules and/or data collection with instruction in research methods and tutorials dedicated to working in research teams analyzing, processing and interpreting data.  As part of this course, students conduct their own independent research component as part of a larger team research project.  At the end of the course students will have completed a series of learning objectives, written a short journal-article style paper, and delivered a professional research presentation.

Learning Outcomes

  • Goal of the Course
    This course seeks to provide students with the basic skills to conduct scientific research by doing research, present/write up scientific results, interact with your peers within a research team, and culturally engage with New Zealand

    Learning Outcomes
  • Learning how to conduct research by doing research (experiential learning)
  • Learning about one’s own identity through engagement with other persons and communities during the research process
  • Learning the value of cultural competency via the research process (i.e. engagement with Iwi and learning fundamentals of tikanga Maori through pre-term marae visits and research data collection)
  • Learn how to design and write a research proposal that is punchy and scientifically rigorous
  • Learn the art of peer reviewing
  • Learn how to perform a library/online search
  • Learn how to prepare and write a literature review
  • Learn how to present research data (effective figures and tables)
  • Learn the difference between an Abstract and an Introduction
  • Learn how to structure a research report or articles
  • Learn how to make and deliver a professional research presentation
  • Learn how to structure and write a research article

    Course Expectations:
    As a half-year, 30-point course, you are expected to spend approximately 25 hours per week on average for your research.  Contact hours include 4 days in the field (30 hours), 60 lectures/tutorial hours, and more than 200 additional hours (~17 hours a week) in course-related self-learning.

    Course assignments are designed to reinforce skill sets and information addressed in the course.  By engaging thoughtfully and thoroughly with the course experiences we hope you will begin to merge prior knowledge with new knowledge, and meld this with what you are learning with and from your peers.
    • University Graduate Attributes

      This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attributes specified below:

      Critically competent in a core academic discipline of their award

      Students know and can critically evaluate and, where applicable, apply this knowledge to topics/issues within their majoring subject.

      Employable, innovative and enterprising

      Students will develop key skills and attributes sought by employers that can be used in a range of applications.

      Biculturally competent and confident

      Students will be aware of and understand the nature of biculturalism in Aotearoa New Zealand, and its relevance to their area of study and/or their degree.

      Engaged with the community

      Students will have observed and understood a culture within a community by reflecting on their own performance and experiences within that community.

      Globally aware

      Students will comprehend the influence of global conditions on their discipline and will be competent in engaging with global and multi-cultural contexts.

Prerequisites

Enrolment in the Frontiers Abroad programme and Head of Department approval. RP: Completion of course(s) at home institution in the broader field of Earth Systems Science and Environmental Science and Studies.

Restrictions

GEOL356. This course is not open to non-Frontiers Abroad students

Recommended Preparation

Completion of course(s) at home institution in the broader field of Earth Systems Science and Environmental Science and Studies.

Timetable Note

Lectures and Tutorials: 2-hour weekly lecture, 3-hour weekly tutorial.

Field trips: 4-day trip, collecting research data, will be held prior to the start of semester.

Course Coordinators

Travis Horton and Sam Hampton

Lecturers

Josh Borella and Anne Horton

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage  Description
Research Proposal 10% Research Proposal
Paper Critique 10% Paper Critique
Introduction 10% Introduction
Reflection and Class participation 10% Reflection and Class participation
Abstract 5% Abstract
Research poster and presentation 25% Research poster and presentation
Research manuscript paper and report 30% Research manuscript paper and report


Research Proposal   -  10%
Paper Critique    -  10%
Introduction    -  10%
Reflection and Class participation   -  10%
Abstract   -  5%
Research poster and presentation   -  25%
Research manuscript / paper / report   -  30%

Examination and Formal Tests
There are no Exams or Tests for this course

Prerequisites
Enrolment in the Frontiers Abroad programme and HoD (Geological Sciences) approval

Notes

Goal of the Course
This course seeks to provide students with the basic skills to conduct scientific research by doing research, present/write up scientific results, interact with your peers within a research team, and culturally engage with New Zealand

Learning Outcomes
• Learning how to conduct research by doing research (experiential learning)
• Learning about one’s own identity through engagement with other persons and communities during the research process
• Learning the value of cultural competency via the research process (i.e. engagement with Iwi and learning fundamentals of tikanga Maori through pre-term marae visits and research data collection)
• Learn how to design and write a research proposal that is punchy and scientifically rigorous
• Learn the art of peer reviewing
• Learn how to perform a library/online search
• Learn how to prepare and write a literature review
• Learn how to present research data (effective figures and tables)
• Learn the difference between an Abstract and an Introduction
• Learn how to structure a research report or articles
• Learn how to make and deliver a professional research presentation
• Learn how to structure and write a research article

Course Expectations:
As a half-year, 30-point course, you are expected to spend approximately 25 hours per week on average for your research.  Contact hours include 4 days in the field (30 hours), 60 lectures/tutorial hours, and more than 200 additional hours (~17 hours a week) in course-related self-learning.

Course assignments are designed to reinforce skill sets and information addressed in the course.  By engaging thoughtfully and thoroughly with the course experiences we hope you will begin to merge prior knowledge with new knowledge, and meld this with what you are learning with and from your peers.

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $1,820.00

International fee $8,875.00

* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.

Minimum enrolments

This course will not be offered if fewer than 5 people apply to enrol.

Limited Entry Course

Maximum enrolment is 30

For further information see School of Earth and Environment .

All ENVR356 Occurrences

  • ENVR356-21X (C) General non-calendar-based 2021
  • ENVR356-21S2 (C) Semester Two 2021