Module Information

Module Identifier
BRM7320
Module Title
Restoration and Conservation - project implementation
Academic Year
2016/2017
Co-ordinator
Dr John Scullion
Semester
Semester 2 (Taught over 2 semesters)
Other Staff
 

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
Lecture 8 x 1 Hour Lectures
Lecture 3 x 2 Hour Lectures
Field Trip 1 x 4 Hour Field Trip
Field Trip 2 x 8 Hour Field Trips
 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Evaluation of investigation  (up to 2,500 words)  25%
Semester Assessment Recommendations  (up to 2,000 words)  25%
Semester Assessment Project report  (up to 5,000 words)  50%
Supplementary Assessment Students must take elements of assessment that are equivalent to those that led to failure of the module  100%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

1. Identify key issues in designing and implementing an environmental investigation within a contextual setting related to managing problems.

2. Develop "best practice" solutions to assess environmental management problems within realistic constraints.

3. Evaluate data arising from an investigation in terms of its reliability and fitness for purpose.

4. Use information arising from an investigation to develop practical solutions to the restoration or conservation problems identified.

5. Communicate findings and levels of confidence in these outcomes.

Brief description

Key investigative approaches and sampling techniques are explored. The module covers a range of sampling and assessment issues in coastal, estuarine, freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems. Students will evaluate the use of "appropriate technology" to investigate environmental management issues in a variety of contextual settings, from the laboratory to the field. Skills developed in this supervised exercise will then be applied in implementing a further practical group investigation of a problem in restoration or conservation management.

Aims

The module aims to develop skills in identifying research requirements, then designing and implementing investigations to address these requirements within realistic time and resource constraints.

Content

A series of lectures will introduce generic issues of investigative design, sampling strategies, sample analysis and data management including aspects of QA/QC. The study site and its conservation management objectives will then introduced and gaps in information needed to underpin key elements of this management identified. Module field and laboratory exercises will then be implemented to provide this information. Students will consider whether this investigation was fit for purpose and make recommendations based on their findings.
Based on skills gained during the supervised investigation and reporting exercise, small groups of students will then be tasked to design, implement and report on a specified research consultancy brief.
Due to seasonal constraints, the course will be delivered in two cycles between weeks 2 and 6 in semester 1 and between weeks 4 and 8 semester 2.

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number In generating report findings from primary data.
Communication In producing assignment reports.
Improving own Learning and Performance In developing research and reporting skills.
Information Technology In using data handling and spatial information software.
Personal Development and Career planning In acquiring team working and workplace skills during investigations.
Problem solving In identifying the scope of the initial investigation and subsequent project.
Research skills In developing the research context for report assignments.
Subject Specific Skills Field work and laboratory skills. Problem identification in an environmental management context.
Team work In organizing and undertaking practical investigations.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7