University home > Unit and programme catalogues in 2021/22 > Programme catalogue > Faculty of Science > School of Earth Sciences > Palaeobiology (MSc) > Specification
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Programme code | 2GELY004T |
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Programme type | Postgraduate Taught Degree |
Programme director(s) |
John Cunningham
|
Faculty | Faculty of Science |
School/department | School of Earth Sciences |
Teaching institution | University of Bristol |
Awarding institution | University of Bristol |
Mode of study | Full Time |
Programme length | 1 years (full time) |
This programme aims to develop the students interest in and knowledge and understanding of Palaeobiology, an interdisciplinary subject that emphasizes the understanding of past life on Earth. The MSc in Palaeobiology offers a combined taught and research-orientated programme with advanced coverage of quantitative aspects of the fossil record and the history of life. The overall aim is to bridge the biology-geology divide, providing students with a strong background for independent research, leading to a PhD or a career in science teaching, museums, and the media. The department provides students with high quality education and training, consistent with available resources, integrated with a world-class programme of research. The Palaeobiology and Biodiversity Research group maintains close contacts with other educational institutions (universities, museums) and the media, which we utilize to enrich teaching and learning provision. The objectives of the MSc in Palaeobiology are:
(i) to achieve the highest standards of teaching and learning and to encourage all students to achieve their potential; to offer specialised training, beyond undergraduate-level, in the latest theories and techniques in the broad range of palaeobiological disciplines;
(ii) to provide students with extended learning opportunities from expert (internal and external) instructors, including both the taught units and the research projects;
(iii) to ensure that the programme is available to undergraduates with a variety of academic backgrounds by providing conversion courses; that the programme is flexible and responsive to changes in staff and post-docs in the Palaeobiology and Biodiversity Research Group, integrating their expertise in the subject.
(iv) to motivate students, and provide opportunities, to further their careers via intellectual and practical activities, including transferable skills, and by instilling skills and techniques required to carry out an independent research project, leading to publication of the results; to provide experience of the demands of a large and successful research group;
(v) to help students develop personal skills, including communication skills (written, oral, web-based, and poster presentations), including public understanding of science; problem solving; independent evaluation of the evidence for competing hypotheses; research project design and implementation; team-working; time management and efficiency;
Students on the programme will develop quantitative and computational skills, including the use of statistical and data handling software. They will become proficient in critical analysis of scientific material from a variety of sources, including primary research documents. They will develop synthesis skills and the ability to write concise and informative material targeted for a variety of audiences, including public understanding of science. They will be given information about research and career opportunities in related areas, and encouraged to build their skills portfolio during the programme and to take up careers-advice services provided by the University of Bristol.
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Taught units will provide fundamentals through lectures and guided practical activities; Some M level units will require greater student initiative, with self-guided learning on topics provided. In their projects, students will develop independent research skills, under supervision from the teaching team. Specific knowledge and skills acquisition for (useful) projects may require students to develop of external contacts networks, also with supervision and steer from the teaching team. |
Methods of Assessment | |
The programme will use mixed assessment methodologies, including written essays; technical analysis and research reports; quantitative problem-solving; exams; project work and presentations (individual). An emphasis will be placed throughout the programme on formative assessment and feedback to the students as well as credit-bearing assessment |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Some instruction. Group learning with peer-review and guidance from teaching team. Discussion with guest lecturers from policy and practice domains. Tutor/supervisor guidance. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Task-based assessment, with progressive development of skills. Some peer assessment (formative rather than credit bearing) |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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|
Some instruction. Group learning with peer-review and guidance from teaching team. Discussion with guest lecturers from policy and practice domains. Tutor/supervisor guidance. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Peer assessment Task-based assessment |
Statement of expectations from the students at each level of the programme as it/they develop year on year.
Level M/7 - Postgraduate Certificate |
Students are expected to have developed a modern, solid foundation of subject specific skills underpinned by the interdisciplinary, scientific principles (quantitative, bio- physico- chemico) underlying Earth processes. Students will be able to apply the principles more widely and undertake more in-depth analysis, and be able to communicate with others in a sound scientific manner. Students will be more at ease in being able to guide themselves in analysis of their own performance, and of setting and achieving their aims. |
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Level M/7 - Postgraduate Diploma |
Students will have an expanded range and depth of subject specific knowledge, through the study of the taught units. Assigned work in these taught units will have allowed students to become confident in the ability to collect, synthesise, and evaluate data, so as to be able to communicate and defend their own ideas and interpretation of the work |
Level M/7 - Postgraduate Masters |
Most of the work undertaken at this level will be at, or informed by the latest research findings and concepts, and will provide an opportunity to work closely with the international research community of palaeobiologists. This will enable the student to be fully conversant with the principles of a research-led learning environment. Students will undertake planning, management and data collection for a research project, and communicate the results and interpretation in a mature manner to a scientific audience. |
The intended learning outcome mapping document shows which mandatory units contribute towards each programme intended learning outcome.
For information on the admissions requirements for this programme please see details in the postgraduate prospectus at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/prospectus/postgraduate/ or contact the relevant academic department.
e-mail earth-postgrad@bristol.ac.uk
EASCM0034 Literature Review and EASCM0038 Research Methods in Palaeobiology are must pass units. For the definition of must pass units please see the Glossary of Terms from Annex 1 to the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
Students are able to take this programme on a part-time basis over two years. Part-time students will enrol on a selection of the units listed below and then take the others in their second year. All mandatory units must be completed over the course of the programme. The Thesis is completed in Year 2.
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Macroevolution | EASC30066 | 10 | Mandatory | TB-2C |
Current Controversies in Palaeobiology and Macroevolution | EASCM0001 | 10 | Mandatory | TB-1A |
Phylogenetic Methods in Palaeobiology | EASCM0035 | 10 | Mandatory | TB-1A |
Literature Review | EASCM0034 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Research Methods in Palaeobiology | EASCM0038 | 30 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Thesis (MSc Palaeobiology) | EASCM1016 | 60 | Mandatory | AYEAR |
and 40 credit points from the list below: | ||||
Please note - in order to meet the requirements for the Taught Masters degree award as stated in the University's Credit Framework, for this MSc programme a MAXIMUM of 30cp of options below Level M is allowed. | ||||
Geology for Research Palaeobiologists | EASCM0037 | 10 | Optional | TB-1A |
Micropalaeontology | EASCM0040 | 10 | Optional | TB-1A |
Advanced Vertebrate Palaeobiology and Biomechanics | EASCM0055 | 20 | Optional | TB-4 |
The Cambrian Explosion - the origin of animal body plans | EASC30052 | 10 | Optional | TB-2D |
Tree of Life | BIOL30004 | 10 | Optional | TB-4 |
Plant Evolution, Development and Diversity | BIOL30007 | 10 | Optional | TB-4 |
Early Human Origins | ARCHM1000 | 10 | Optional | TB-1 |
Msc Palaeobiology | 180 |
The pass mark set by the University for any level 7(M) unit is 50 out of 100.
For detailed rules on progression please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.
All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to exit from the programme with a postgraduate diploma or certificate.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.
An award with Merit or Distinction is permitted for postgraduate taught masters, diplomas and certificates, where these are specifically named entry-level qualifications. An award with Merit or Distinction is not permitted for exit awards where students are required to exit the programme on academic grounds but is permitted in designated programmes (as set out in the programme specification) where students choose to withdraw from the intended programme but otherwise achieve the necessary credit points for the exit award.
The classification of the award in relation to the final programme mark is as follows:
Award with Distinction*: at least 65 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation. **Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
Award with Merit*: at least 60 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 60 out of 100 for the dissertation. Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
* The MA in Law has separate regulations for awarding distinction and merit.
** For the award of Distinction, the Faculty of Engineering requires at least 70 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation.
All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to choose, or be required, to leave at the postgraduate diploma or certificate stage.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
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