Module Information
Module Identifier
ES21100
Module Title
Resarch Skills in Environmental Sciecne
Academic Year
2015/2016
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 1 (Taught over 2 semesters)
Mutually Exclusive
GG20130, GG20230, GG25030, GG25110
Pre-Requisite
This module is only available to second year students registered on the F750 scheme
Other Staff
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Practical | 2 x 3 Hour Practicals |
| Practical | 8 x 3 Hour Practicals |
| Lecture | 5 x 2 Hour Lectures |
| Lecture | 1 x 1 Hour Lecture |
| Lecture | 14 x 1 Hour Lectures |
| Practical | 11 x 2 Hour Practicals |
| Lecture | 6 x 2 Hour Lectures |
| Practical | 3 x 3 Hour Practicals |
| Lecture | 3 x 3 Hour Lectures |
| Workshop | 5 x 1 Hour Workshops |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | 500 word summary of a key paper 500 word summary of a key paper in Environmental Science | 10% |
| Semester Assessment | quantitative data workbook Completion of quantitative data workbook | 30% |
| Semester Assessment | 2000 word GIS and mapping workbook 2000 word GIS and mapping workbook | 30% |
| Semester Exam | 1.5 Hours Exam 1.5 hour essay-based seen exam | 30% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Supplementary 500 word key paper Resubmission of any failed components if the aggregate mark is a fail. Marks for passed components will be carried forward in the calculation of the re-sat module mark. Supplementary 500 word summary of a key paper in Environmental Science | 10% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Supplementary quantitaive data workbook Resubmission of any failed components if the aggregate mark is a fail. Marks for passed components will be carried forward in the calculation of the re-sat module mark. Completion of quantitative data workbook | 30% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Supplementary GIS and Mapping Workbook Resubmission of any failed components if the aggregate mark is a fail. Marks for passed components will be carried forward in the calculation of the re-sat module mark. 2000 word GIS and mapping workbook | 30% |
| Supplementary Exam | 1.5 Hours Resubmission of any failed components if the aggregate mark is a fail. Marks for passed components will be carried forward in the calculation of the re-sat module mark. | 30% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Demonstrate an ability to contextualise Environmental Science research against the broader fields of academic enquiry
Apply descriptive and inferential statistics to analyse quantitative datasets
Undertake laboratory procedures to determine soil/water chemistry and interpret the findings
Produce maps and graphical representations of Environmental Science data, including the use of computer mapping, remote sensing data and GIS.
Aims
This module is designed to equip Environmental Science students with the conceptual and practical skills needed to design and implement independent research projects in Environmental Science.
Brief description
The module comprises four sections:
Section 1: Research skills in Environmental Science (semester 1): the context for research in Environmental Science and related disciplines.
Section 2: Analysis of quantitative data (semester 1): descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, correlation and regression.
Section 3: Chemical analysis of soils and waters (semester 2): soils sampling, macro nutrients, organic matter, soil organic carbon, trace elements.
Section 4: GIS and mapping (semester 2): advanced graphing, time series data, remote sensing image display and enhancement, GIS maps, graphs and contour plots, map production.
Section 1: Research skills in Environmental Science (semester 1): the context for research in Environmental Science and related disciplines.
Section 2: Analysis of quantitative data (semester 1): descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, correlation and regression.
Section 3: Chemical analysis of soils and waters (semester 2): soils sampling, macro nutrients, organic matter, soil organic carbon, trace elements.
Section 4: GIS and mapping (semester 2): advanced graphing, time series data, remote sensing image display and enhancement, GIS maps, graphs and contour plots, map production.
Content
The module will be taught using a mix of lectures and practicals/workshops:
Semester 1:
Section 1
2 x 2 hour lectures on the history of Environmental Science and the context for research within this discipline.
Section 2
2 x 1 hour lectures on the analysis of quantitative data.
5 x 3 hour practicals on the analysis of quantitative data:
1. Descriptive statistics
2 and 3. Inferential statistics
4 and 5. Correlation and regression
Semester 2:
Section 3
2 x 1 hour lectures on the chemical analysis of soils and waters.
5 x 3 hour practicals covering the chemical analysis of soils and waters:
1. Soils sampling
2. Macro nutrients
3. Organic matter
4. Soil organic carbon
5. Trace elements
Section 4
1 x 1 hour lecture on GIS and mapping.
5 x 3 hour GIS and mapping practicals:
1. Advanced graphing and time series data
2 and 3. Contour plots and map production
4 and 5. Remote sensing image display and enhancement
Semester 1:
Section 1
2 x 2 hour lectures on the history of Environmental Science and the context for research within this discipline.
Section 2
2 x 1 hour lectures on the analysis of quantitative data.
5 x 3 hour practicals on the analysis of quantitative data:
1. Descriptive statistics
2 and 3. Inferential statistics
4 and 5. Correlation and regression
Semester 2:
Section 3
2 x 1 hour lectures on the chemical analysis of soils and waters.
5 x 3 hour practicals covering the chemical analysis of soils and waters:
1. Soils sampling
2. Macro nutrients
3. Organic matter
4. Soil organic carbon
5. Trace elements
Section 4
1 x 1 hour lecture on GIS and mapping.
5 x 3 hour GIS and mapping practicals:
1. Advanced graphing and time series data
2 and 3. Contour plots and map production
4 and 5. Remote sensing image display and enhancement
Brochure Text
This module is designed to develop practical skills in Environmental Science, especially those related to designing and implementing a research project. The module is organized around four sections. Section 1 covers the context for research in Environmental Science and related disciplines, including links with international initiatives such as the MEA (the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment) and its contribution to a variety of global environmental issues (e.g. climate change) and debates (e.g. the Anthropocene). Section 2 covers the analysis of quantitative data including descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, correlation and regression analysis. Section 3 introduces chemical analysis of soils and waters, including practicals focusing on soil sampling, macro nutrients, organic matter, soil organic carbon and trace elements. Section 4 will cover GIS and mapping, namely advanced graphing, time series data, remote sensing image display and enhancement, GIS maps, graphs and contour plots, and map production.
These skills will enable students to identify and formulate appropriate Environmental Science research questions and design methods for implementing successful research projects.
These skills will enable students to identify and formulate appropriate Environmental Science research questions and design methods for implementing successful research projects.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | The use of statistical analysis, including descriptive statistics, quantifying sampling error and introductory inferential statistics. |
| Communication | Assessed by written assessments and graphical assignments |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Developed through independent reading and preparation for assignments, and by acting upon feedback |
| Information Technology | Competency in using the internet for sources of information, computer mapping and word processing |
| Personal Development and Career planning | Many of the skills developed through this module are transferable to non-academic contexts and students are made aware of their wider applicability. |
| Problem solving | Deciding how to design Environmental Science research projects, and on the appropriate methods for the treatment and presentation of data |
| Research skills | Preparation of completion of assignments will use a range of research and information gathering skills |
| Subject Specific Skills | The acquisition, analysis and presentation of Environmental Science data |
| Team work | Team work and group discussion is involved in some lectures and practical sessions |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 5