Course description
Programme highlights
-Accredited by the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology
-Practical work in land, hydrographic and environmental surveying
-Opportunity for long-term study in the field of geomatics
-Current equipment and software available
Infrastructure support
The research vessel, "Catfish" is used for demonstrations and one-week practicals within Plymouth Sound. Technician support includes the skipper for "Catfish", computer, electronic and survey technicians. A dedicated postgraduate computing facility is provided on the same floor as the MSc Hydrography base room. Laptop computers with modern survey equipment and current acoustic sensors, satellite positioning and land survey equipment are available for use on "Catfish" and elsewhere.
General programme structure
The programme is split into 3 periods. During period one you will undergo research training as well as gaining a broad overview of the marine sciences, with an emphasis on data acquisition, processing and presentation. Within this taught period, you are presented with the theory of geodesy, remote sensing, basic land and bathymetric survey, which is supplemented by further study in your optional area of interest. A typical programme is 80% lectures/seminars and 20% practical, either within laboratory, or afloat. All modules in period one are coursework assessed.
In periods two and three you will undertake a self-managed research dissertation under the supervision of an assigned academic. This may comprise a desk study, laboratory experimentation or include field observations, data acquisition, analysis and processing, often using the university"s research vessel. Possible topics include environmental and/or acoustic studies, or the optimising of the processing of GPS observables. It may include the use of GIS in monitoring the marine environment and/or the modelling of the coast.
Detailed programme structure
These taught modules can be taken as part of the four-year NewRoute PhD™ in Marine and Environmental Sciences.
Period 1 (12 weeks)
Core modules
-Methods in hydrography
-Positioning and geodesy
-Marine applications of remote sensing and geographical information systems
-Research methods
-Research skills
Option modules (choose one only)
-Oceanography and sedimentation
-Marine geophysical and acoustic sensing
-Integrated coastal zone management
Periods 2 and 3 (30 weeks)
-Project planning module and research work leading to a dissertation
Period one core modules
Methods in hydrography reviews conventional survey techniques and provides the core material for tidal theory and measurement, bathymetry and the wider application of surveyors to coastal zone management. A fieldweek enables the student to put theory into practice, becoming familiar with geodetic issues, precise positioning, acoustic sensing and charting.
Positioning and geodesy provides the physical science underpinning the survey programme with three principal themes of i) electromagnetic and acoustic waves, ii) positioning theory with a focus on high quality GPS and iii) geodetic reference systems and their conversion. Use is made of mathematical techniques to assess computational processes and error analysis, and to compare conversion methods.
Marine applications of remote sensing and geographical information systems includes the basic concepts of both technologies, and so provides a firm basis for the effective use of these tools within MRes projects. It is primarily marine based. There are a series of workshop sessions to give practical experience with the relevant software.
Research skills Students are trained in the generic skills required to carry out research. The emphasis is on the practical development of computing, communication, writing and oral presentation skills. The context of the research (ethics, funding, rules and controls, careers) is also discussed. The module is part of the research training of PhD students.
Research methods. Students are equipped with the practical and theoretical skills required to carry out a major research project. Through a fieldweek students acquire skills relevant to project management. Students identify with a departmental research group and participate in their journal club and/or seminar activities. The module is part of the research training of PhD students.
Period one optional modules
Marine geophysical and acoustic sensing extends acoustic theory into modern sensing instrumentation and practice. Further, the acoustics are applied to two and three-dimensional seismic exploration. In this context, the module is rounded off with gravity, magnetics and seabed sampling.
Oceanography and sedimentation takes four principal themes, namely, i) temperature, salinity and density, ii) seawater circulation, iii) waves, iv) sediment sampling and analysis.
Integrated coastal zone management, as currently offered on the MSc Applied Marine Science programme, will become an option module on this MRes.
Learning and assessment
You will develop an understanding of geomatics in the areas of hydrography, remote sensing, geodesy and research methods with an option from marine geophysics and acoustics, oceanography or coastal management. You will consider the wider aspects of geomatics, the inter-relationship of methods and outcomes and the implications for data management, processing and information systems.
Plymouth benefits from the local marine environment and the programme places great emphasis on learning via original practical research. You will experience a variety of techniques and methods of data collection and analysis on land, at sea and with satellite-sourced datasets. Finally, you will have gained the knowledge and skills to enable you to design, develop and implement a research project at postgraduate level and of bringing it towards publication
