Module Information

The tutorial module is designed to be a complementary module for students taking the second year of the Environmental Earth Science degree. It provides a basis for close and regular supervisory contact with students throughout the year. Objectives The module has three specific objectives. First, as a source of close, working contact, it can more effectively address the general academic and pastoral problems confronted by students during their second year. Second, the Environmental Earth Science Tutorial Module is designed to have its own independent academic syllabus which includes elements of field teaching. Third, the module has a group field-based exercise which will enhance the team work and communications skills of the tutorial groups. The tutorial provides an opportunity to draw out the integrative themes that run through the Environmental Earth Science programme. It develops research skills through focussing on identifying gaps, forming research questions, and designing research strategies. It will address a defined range of study skills (including one field exercise), enabling students to cope more effectively with the basic demands of academic study, develop transferable skills, and enable them to exploit more fully the possibility offered by the Environmental Earth Science programme. The study skills covered by the Level 2 Tutorial Module will deal with the following: Project work/Dissertations [inc. design/problem formulation: primary data types/techniques: compiling bibliographies: techniques of report writing] Oral Presentations Career guidance/self-assessment The module is assessed through three assignments: an essay (1,000 words, 30%); a field map (30%) and a dissertation proposal (1,500 words, 40%).

This module combines pastoral and personal development responsibilities of the personal tutor with the development of core study skills that are central to success in Higher Education. The ten sessions (which include personal tutor meetings) will address the following themes:
• Summarising and synthesizing academic literature;
• Forming and supporting arguments;
• Geomorphological/contaminated land mapping field techniques in environmental Earth science;
• Revision techniques;
• Forming research questions;
• Ethics and fieldwork in safety;
• Presentation techniques.

Other issues relating to pastoral development – such as the expectations and challenges of university life, time and resource management, reviewing academic performance, and employability and career aspirations can be discussed in designated personal tutor slots.
In addition to the one-hour tutorial sessions this module will include one year group exercise at a local site. This exercise will be based on a mapping exercise (typically to cover surficial deposit/contaminated land mapping).