Programme of study for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy CDT SENSE Satellite Data in Environmental Science 2024/25

This programme of study applies to the full-time mode or part-time mode (at 0.6 full-time equivalent).

The Faculty of Environment is responsible for the programme.

This Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) is delivered in partnership with the University of Edinburgh.

The standard period of study for the programme is 45 months (full time) or 75 months (part time).

The thesis submission deadline is 48 months (full time) or 80 months (part time).

• Minimum Bachelor degree with first class (1) or upper second class honours (2:1) in a relevant subject, or equivalent.
• IELTS: 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in all components.
• TOEFL IBT: 87 (minimum score of 20 in listening and reading, 21 in writing and 22 in speaking).

Year 1

The candidate will commence research under the direction of their supervision team will have at least 10 formal supervision meetings a year (full time) or at least six formal supervision meetings per year (part time).

In addition, the PGR will participate in:

• Nine weeks of training offered in two four-week blocks: block one at Edinburgh University and block two at the University of Leeds, plus a further week at the National Oceanographic Centre.
• A field trip that will also include a week of specialist training.
• Annual SENSE industry symposium.

Progress and monitoring

The following formal monitoring and progression points will take place in year 1:

• Month 3 (full time and part time): completion of the training plan.
• Month 8 (full time) or month 12 (part time): first formal progress report.

Year 2

The candidate will continue research under the direction of their supervision team will have at least 10 formal supervision meetings a year (full time) or at least six formal supervision meetings per year (part time).

PGRs undertake one week of residential courses on discipline-specific training run by partner organisations in the CDT. They will also participate in further professional development training including:

• Science communication.
• Big data.
• Annual SENSE industry symposium.

Progress and monitoring

The following formal monitoring will take place in year 2:

• Month 14 (full time) or month 24 (part time) : completion of transfer process.
• By month 24: annual progress review.

Year 3

The candidate will continue research under the direction of their supervision team will have at least 10 formal supervision meetings a year (full time) or at least six formal supervision meetings per year (part time).

• One week residential course and other non-residential professional development training.
• Minimum three months industrial placement at the end of Year 3.
• Annual SENSE industry symposium.

Progress and monitoring

The following monitoring will take place in year 3:

• By month 36: annual progress review and plan for submission within the four year deadline (full time).

Year 4

The candidate will continue research under the direction of their supervision team will have at least 10 formal supervision meetings a year (full time) or at least six formal supervision meetings per year (part time).

• Annual SENSE industry symposium, public engagement and outreach activities.
• Month 48: thesis submission (full time).

Progress and monitoring

The following monitoring will take place in year 4:

• By month 48: annual progress review (part time).

Year 5 (part time)

The candidate will continue research under the direction of their supervision team will have at least six formal supervision meetings a year.

• Annual SENSE industry symposium, public engagement and outreach activities.

Progress and monitoring

The following monitoring will take place in year 5:

• By month 60: annual progress review (part time).

Year 6 (part time)

The candidate will continue research under the direction of their supervision team will have at least six formal supervision meetings a year.

• Annual SENSE industry symposium, public engagement and outreach activities.

Progress and monitoring

The following monitoring will take place in year 6:

• By month 72: annual progress review and plan for submission within the 80-month deadline (part time).

Year 7 (part time)

The candidate will continue research under the direction of their supervision team will have at least six formal supervision meetings a year.

• Annual SENSE industry symposium, public engagement and outreach activities.
• Month 80: thesis submission.

On completion of the research programme PGRs should have shown evidence of being able to:

• discover, interpret and communicate new knowledge through original research and/or scholarship of publishable quality which satisfies peer review
• present and defend original research outcomes which extend the forefront of a discipline or relevant area of professional/clinical practice
• demonstrate systematic and extensive knowledge of the subject area and expertise in generic and subject/professional skills
• take a proactive and self-reflective role in working and to develop professional relationships with others where appropriate
• independently and proactively formulate ideas and hypotheses and to design, develop, implement and execute plans by which to evaluate these
• critically and creatively evaluate current issues, research and advanced scholarship in the discipline
• demonstrate systematic knowledge of and be able to critically assess, analyse and engage with the ethical and legal context of their research and any ethical and legal implications of their research.

PGRs will have had the opportunity to acquire the following abilities through the research training and research specified for the programme:

• the skills necessary for a career as a researcher and/or for employment in a senior and leading capacity in a relevant area of professional/clinical practice or industry
• evaluating their own achievement and that of others
• self-direction and effective decision making in complex and unpredictable situations
• independent learning and the ability to work in a way which ensures continuing professional development.

This will include the critical analysis of, and decision making in, complex and unpredictable professional and/or clinical situations. 

The structure of the programme will provide research and/or professional training, breadth and depth of study and opportunities for drawing upon appropriate resources and techniques. 

Opportunities will be provided for PGRs to:

• develop to a high level interests and informed opinions
• develop to a high level their design and management of their learning activities
• develop to a high level their communication of their conclusions
• make an original contribution to the field.

PGRs will be expected to engage in the exercise of autonomous initiative in their study and work in professional environments.

Achievement will be assessed by the examination of the candidate’s thesis (or alternative form of thesis) and performance under oral examination. Assessment will involve the achievement of the candidate in:

• evidencing an ability to conduct original and independent broad and in-depth enquiry within the discipline or within different aspects of the area of professional/clinical practice normally leading to published work
• drawing on and/or developing a range of research techniques and methodologies appropriate to enquiries into the discipline/area of professional practice
• demonstrating independent critical ability in the application of breadth and depth of knowledge to complex issues within the discipline or specialist area of professional/clinical practice
• drawing on a range of perspectives on the area of study
• evaluating and criticising received opinion
• making reasoned and well-informed judgements on complex issues within the specialism whilst understanding the limitations on judgements made in the absence of complete data
• the written style and overall presentation of the thesis.