GEOL4091: EARTH SCIENCES INTO INDUSTRY

• Satisfactory completion of compulsory modules of chosen program. For Natural Sciences at least two Level 3 modules in Earth Sciences.

• None.

• None.

• The module enables students to enhance their employment potential by working with an industrial client on a group project that gives experience of applying their geoscience and transferrable skills and knowledge to address a real-world industrial challenge, while working as an effective team.

• Formative Entrepreneurship in Earth Sciences component. This component is typically delivered through a field-based, role-play scenario at the start of the academic year that is designed to give students experience applying their geoscience skills and knowledge to decision making in a simulated commercial environment. Students will gain experience of reflective practice, team working, communication, making decisions based on sparse data, and of project management and delivery.
• Team-based project. A multi-disciplinary student group will work on a project specified by a "client", typically an external organisation. The client identifies the problem to be addressed and the project deliverables. Previous examples have included identifying hydrocarbon exploration targets, geohazard risk assessments, exploring geothermal potential and assessing mine waste contamination. The groups will develop the project brief, workflow strategy and prepare and present a solution to their client and internal mentor. The project will include elements of formative and summative assessment. There is a focus on developing effective teamwork skills.
• Presentation. A day of project presentations will be made to all clients and mentors involved with the module. Feedback will be provided.

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• Students will apply knowledge acquired at Levels 1-3 to a specific Earth Science related business or industrial application. Learning of technical content will be research-led and specific to each project. This will typically involve directed reading, instruction during mentoring sessions/client meetings, and the use of computer packages for data analysis and presentation of results.

Subject-specific Skills:

• Students will undertake research-led learning directed at the specific demands of the project and supervised by the "client" and project mentor (a member of academic staff in the Department of Earth Sciences).
• Students will also engage in literature related to project management and teamwork.

Key Skills:

• Gain direct experience of working with an industrial partner.
• Learn how geoscientific information can inform industry judgements and create added value.
• Experience in a prolonged team environment including defining team roles, managing team development, project management and dealing with uncertainty.
• Awareness of how business decisions affect people and the environment.
• Develop skills in project scoping, conduct and delivery.
• Acquire communication and outreach skills.
• Recognise the importance of self-evaluation, personal and continued professional development in life-long learning.
• Enhance job seeking skills and employability.

• This module is concerned principally with the application of existing subject-specific skills and knowledge to solve industrial challenges. As such, the modes of learning and assessment focus on developing a range of transferable skills expected of an earth scientist working in industry. The range of outcomes will be assessed through the formative component, and through a summative project report, presentation and evidence-based reflective report on the students learning experience.

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