Module Information
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Practical | 6 x 3 Hour Practicals |
| Lecture | 8 x 1 Hour Lectures |
| Field Trip | 2 x 4 Hour Field Trips |
| Field Trip | 2 x 7 Hour Field Trips |
| Field Trip | 2 x 3 Hour Field Trips |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Scoping Report to determine the nature and extent of issues to be addressed | 10% |
| Semester Assessment | Report evaluating the field investigative approach set against agreed outcomes. | 30% |
| Semester Assessment | Report evaluating the potential of novel techniques | 30% |
| Semester Assessment | Report on the issue addressed and interpretation of information derived from the investigation | 30% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Resubmit failed elements of assessment | 100% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Identify key issues of design and quality control/assurance in environmental and biological investigations.
2. Establish "best practice" for investigating a selected problem in environmental, ecological or biological management.
3. Demonstrate understanding of "appropriate technology" by developing practical solutions to the problem under investigation.
4. Evaluate the potential application of recent technical advances for environmental and biological investigations.
5. Interpret complex datasets and make recommendations based on these findings.
Brief description
This module aims to provide practical experience in the application of a range of traditional and novel field/laboratory techniques for the investigation of realistic problems in environmental management and in biological/ecological investigations. Students will be involved in the design (including QA/QC measures) and implementation of investigations and will work within fixed practical and time constraints. Subsequently the approaches adopted will be evaluated against stated objectives and data interpreted with due regard to levels of confidence identified in the evaluation process.
Aims
This module aims to explain underlying principles and provide practical experience in the application of a range of innovative field/laboratory techniques appropriate to environmental management and biological/ecological investigations.
Content
A series of lectures given by Aberystwyth University or external specialists will cover aspects of the design and implementation of investigations with particular emphasis on whether they are "fit for purpose". Further lectures will then introduce novel technologies, explaining their theoretical basis and potential applications.
Students will gain practical experience of the field and laboratory techniques described in lectures by undertaking an investigation of a problem related to the subject area that they are studying.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | Data handling arising from investigations – assessed in reports |
| Communication | Students will be expected to express themselves appropriately in their reports. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Detailed feedback will be given on assignments |
| Information Technology | Students will be required to source information from a variety of scientific publication databases - assessed in reports |
| Personal Development and Career planning | Students will have some choice in the area which is covered by their seminar, as such this will allow them to begin to specialize in areas of specific interest linked to their future career plans |
| Problem solving | Problem solving skills will be developed in the designing and implementing investigations |
| Research skills | Students will be required to undergo directed self-study and so will develop their literature research skills. These skills will be assessed in each of the module reports. |
| Subject Specific Skills | Advanced field investigation and analytical techniques – assessed in reports |
| Team work | Yes – particularly in fieldwork elements of the module |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 7