Module Information
Module Identifier
GS20320
Module Title
Environmental Science Fieldwork
Academic Year
2019/2020
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 2 (Taught over 2 semesters)
Mutually Exclusive
Mutually Exclusive
Mutually Exclusive
Mutually Exclusive
Mutually Exclusive
Mutually Exclusive
Pre-Requisite
This module is only available to second year students registered on the F750 scheme
Course Delivery
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | REPORT 1 - 1500 words Short report based on staff-led projects. | 30% |
| Semester Assessment | REPORT 2- 2500 words Individual write-up of group project. | 50% |
| Semester Assessment | Oral Group Presentation 10 minutes. Based on student-led project. | 20% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Supplementary Report 1 - 1500 words Students who fail to attend the field course without good reason will not be permitted a resit. Students who attend the field course but fail the assessment will be given the opportunity to resubmit assessments for a maximum mark of 40%. Students whose reasons for failing to attend any component of the fieldwork are condoned will be permitted to submit an alternative form of assessment in place of the fieldwork. | 30% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Supplementary Report 2 - 2500 words | 50% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Supplementary Oral Presentation 10 minutes. Individual presentation based on student-led project. | 20% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Identify topical and relevant research problems in Environmental Science.
2. Design field-based research strategies for data collection and analysis that are relevant to designated research questions.
3. Demonstrate proficiency in a range of data collection/analysis/presentation/interpretation techniques.
4. Demonstrate an ability to communicate research findings through written reports
5. Demonstrate an ability to communicate research findings through oral presentations.
Brief description
Through analysis of relevent and topical themes in Environmental Science, the module will address the following objectives:
· To provide and opportunity to apply theoretical, technical and/or scientific laboratroy methods to the more complex, uncontrolled field environment, and to appreciate how processes that might be regarded as 'general' are mediated by the environmental character of a specific place.
· To prompt students' capacity to identify a problem or research question, and to develop approaches to solving or answering this through hypothesis tesing, research design and data collection.
· To encourage, where appropriate, consideration of the ethical aspects of research processes.
· To promote certain transerable skills required in practical work and seminars, such as teamwork and observation.
· To provide and opportunity to apply theoretical, technical and/or scientific laboratroy methods to the more complex, uncontrolled field environment, and to appreciate how processes that might be regarded as 'general' are mediated by the environmental character of a specific place.
· To prompt students' capacity to identify a problem or research question, and to develop approaches to solving or answering this through hypothesis tesing, research design and data collection.
· To encourage, where appropriate, consideration of the ethical aspects of research processes.
· To promote certain transerable skills required in practical work and seminars, such as teamwork and observation.
Content
The module objectives will be delivered through a series of lectures and other classes with will culminate in a residential field course. The topics covered in any particular year may vary, depending on the staffing arrangements, but will include generic and subject-specific themes such as:
· Field health and safety
· Research design
· Training in field data collection, analysis and interpretation
· Human impacts on the environment.
· Natural hazards.
· Interpreting the physical landscapes.
· Aspects of environmental change.
· Field health and safety
· Research design
· Training in field data collection, analysis and interpretation
· Human impacts on the environment.
· Natural hazards.
· Interpreting the physical landscapes.
· Aspects of environmental change.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | Field data collection involves a range of numerical skills (e.g. measurements). Statistical techniques may be used to analyse field data. |
| Communication | Both written and oral communication of field information and interpretations will be developed via reports and presentations. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Students will be responsible for their own taking of field notes, ubmit their individual field reports and acting on feedback provided. |
| Information Technology | Written reports and information searches to will involve the application of information technology. Oral presentations will be given using PowerPoint. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | Practical applications of skills in Environmental Science and industry will be discussed during field days. |
| Problem solving | Design of field sampling strategies, evaluation of environmental data. |
| Research skills | Field and practical surveying, observation, classification, measurement and dissemination of findings all involve research and synthesis of information. |
| Subject Specific Skills | Surveying in environmental science, and observation, measurement and recording of environmental variables. |
| Team work | Field data collection and interpretation will be undertaken in teams. A group oral presentation will be assessed. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 5