GEOE725 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND ETHICS IN GEOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
| Course Code: | 5640725 |
| METU Credit (Theoretical-Laboratory hours/week): | 3 (3.00 - 0.00) |
| ECTS Credit: | 8.0 |
| Department: | Geological Engineering |
| Language of Instruction: | English |
| Level of Study: | Graduate |
| Course Coordinator: | Assoc.Prof.Dr. ATİLLA ARDA ÖZACAR |
| Offered Semester: | Fall and Spring Semesters. |
Course Objectives
This course introduce the graduate students to the process of scientific research and address ethical issues as applied to geosciences and geological engineering. The course will focus on conducting literature search; critically reading scientific papers; utilizing scientific methodology to test a hypothesis or answer a research question; data quality assurance; developing research projects; writing scientific research proposals and articles to a high academic standard; delivering effective public research presentations to the scientific community; professional ethics and public policies.
Course Content
This graduate course introduces research methodology in Science and their specific application in Geological Engineering. The course delivers students methods of (a) data collection, analysis and quality assurance, (b) conducting an extensive literature, and (d) critically reading scientific papers. The course provides students how to (i) develop methodology to answer the research problem/question, (ii) develop, design and write a scientific research proposal, (iii) cite a published/unpublished information, (iv) write a research report or a scientific article to a high academic standard, (v) deliver a professional research presentation in a conference. It also helps students to identify and address ethical issues in scientific research and professional applications in Geological Engineering.
Course Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to: discuss the scientific method, including hypothesis testing, as applied to modern earth science research; conduct literature searches; design a scientific research project; write a proposal to conduct graduate research; prepare and present a professional oral presentation of a research; describe the process of peer-reviewed publication of scientific research; discuss professional ethics in earth science and academia, and discuss the role of earth scientists in public policy
Program Outcomes Matrix
| Contribution | |||||
| # | Program Outcomes | No | Yes | ||
| 1 | specialize with advanced knowledge in a selection of major topics, including applied geology, engineering geology, rock mechanics, soil mechanics, hydrogeology, structural geology, paleontology, mineralogy, petrology, sedimentology, remote sensing and geographic information systems, earthquakes, mass wasting processes, their recognition and underlying fundamental principles; | ✔ | |||
| 2 | have advanced ability in management and communication skills, including problem definition, project design, decision processes, teamwork, written and oral reports, scientific publications to formulate and solve a Geological Engineering problem; | ✔ | |||
| 3 | be able to systematically acquire new scientific knowledge to design and improve socio-economical-technical systems; | ✔ | |||
| 4 | be able to conduct scientific research in the field of geological engineering; | ✔ | |||
| 5 | be able to apply critical reasoning in their professional careers; | ✔ | |||
| 6 | appreciate the academic ethics; | ✔ | |||
| 7 | well prepared to live and work in a diverse global environment. | ✔ | |||