Module Information

Module Identifier
RD10210
Module Title
Studying the Dynamic Countryside
Academic Year
2017/2018
Co-ordinator
Mr David R Powell
Semester
Semester 2
Co-Requisite
RD10120
Mutually Exclusive
RD10510 or RG10510
Other Staff
 

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
Field Trip 1 x 45 Hour Field Trip
Lecture 2 x 1 Hour Lectures
 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Day one report.  20%
Semester Assessment Day two report.  20%
Semester Assessment Day three report.  20%
Semester Assessment Day four report.  20%
Semester Assessment Day five report.  20%
Supplementary Assessment Students must take elements of assessment 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. Interpret, through field observation, the development of key landscapes and habitats in relation to environmental factors and historic and current management practices.

2. Apply appropriate field techniques to describe and quantify the distribution and abundance patterns of organism in relation to environmental factors.

3. Analyse and interpret field observations in an appropriate manner, producing a report using scientific terminology and style.

Brief description

The module consists of a residential 4-6 day field course. The module is intended to develop the student's ability to interpret landscapes and habitats in relation to the variety of factors that have contributed to their development. The complex interrelationships between geology, geography, history and current management practice will be explored. Practical application of field study techniques will help develop an understanding of fundamental ecological processes within a range of key habitats.

STUDENTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO MAKE A FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS THE SUBSISTENCE COMPONENT OF THE COST OF THE COURSE.

Content

The exact content may vary according to the location used for the field course but is likely to include:

Factors determining distribution and abundance patterns of organisms in a range of habitats.
Management of habitats to achieve a range of ecosystem services.
Interrelationships between natural factors and human activities in development of a range of landscapes.
Forces for change in the countryside.
Application of practical techniques for field recording of ecological and environmental data.

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number Numerical field data will be collected, displayed and analysed.
Communication The field reports must be submitted in an appropriate scientific style.
Improving own Learning and Performance As the module will take the form of an intensive residential field course, a high level of organisation and personal responsibility will be required of the participants.
Personal Development and Career planning Field visits are likely to involve opportunities for discussion of current issues in management of the countryside related to careers for graduates. There may be opportunities to meet with individuals inolved in the management of sites.
Research skills Collection, analysis and interpretation of field data.
Team work Field data collection will take place in small groups who will be responsible for reporting back results to the whole class. The residential nature of the field course will require students to operate in a 'community' environment.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 4