Gwybodaeth Modiwlau
Module Identifier
EAM2630
Module Title
RESEARCH TECHNIQUES IN QUATERNARY SCIENCE
Academic Year
2011/2012
Co-ordinator
Semester
Intended for use in future years
Other Staff
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 3 x 2 hours for Quaternary Dating Methods |
| Lecture | 2 x 2 hour lecture for each optional specialism |
| Other | 2 days of field work. 2 days of practical work for each optional specialism |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | ESSAY. Produce a 2,000 word essay on Quaternary Dating Methods | 20% |
| Semester Assessment | FIELD TRIP REPORT. Produce a 2,000 word report on field trips | 20% |
| Semester Assessment | REPORT. For each of the three specialist components, produce a 2,000 word report | 60% |
| Supplementary Assessment | RESUBMISSION OF FAILED COMPONENTS |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate their knowledge of Quaternary Dating Methods
2. Illustrate the impact of Quaternary climate change on the landscape through analyses carried out in the field and laboratory
3. Employ advanced field and laboratory skills to undertake research in Quaternary Science
4. Demonstrate knowledge of conceptual bases for at least three specialist research areas in Quaternary Science
5. Analyse and present primary data collected by them in the laboratory in a critical manner
6. Present the results of their fieldwork and laboratory work in the form of professional quality essays and reports
7. Work to a tight schedule.
Brief description
The module introduces a range of techniques in Quaternary Science using a combination of field work, lectures and laboratory practicals. The first part of the module comprises a series of lectures introducing Quaternary Dating Methods. A number of day-long field trips are undertaken to provide material for analysis during the remainder of the module. Students then select three areas within which they wish to specialise (20% each). These will normally include:
Pollen analysis
Diatom analysis
Tephra geochemistry
Luminescence dating
Analysis of Quaternary sediments
Pollen analysis
Diatom analysis
Tephra geochemistry
Luminescence dating
Analysis of Quaternary sediments
Content
_Compulsory Elements_
An introduction to Quaternary Dating Methods (20% of total module mark)
Field methods in Quaternary Science (20% of total module mark)
_Optional Elements_
(Each section is worth 20% of the total module mark, and students select 3 from the list of options offered which will normally include)
Pollen analysis
Diatom analysis
Tephra geochemistry
Luminescence dating
Analysis of Quaternary sediments
An introduction to Quaternary Dating Methods (20% of total module mark)
Field methods in Quaternary Science (20% of total module mark)
_Optional Elements_
(Each section is worth 20% of the total module mark, and students select 3 from the list of options offered which will normally include)
Pollen analysis
Diatom analysis
Tephra geochemistry
Luminescence dating
Analysis of Quaternary sediments
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | Analysis of almost all data collected during laboratory practicals requires some numerical analysis. Students will be expected to demonstrate their abilities in their written reports |
| Communication | Students will be expected to master a number of written forms of presentation. They will need to present academic arguments in a structured and coherent fashion, to report technical data clearly, and to convey their interpretation of complex data sets. |
| Information Technology | Many of the specialist skills developed in this module require students to become familiar with specific software packages, and to be able to present information obtained from analysis in a clear manner |
| Personal Development and Career planning | The professional skills acquired in this module will be a vital component in the academic development of the students in preparation for their dissertation |
| Problem solving | Laboratory analysis of natural materials inherently has difficulties, whether in terms of the analysis itself or the interpretation of the data. Students will be required to discuss these in a knowledgeable manner and to suggest and implement solutions where appropriate |
| Research skills | Students will be required to understand a range of research methods, carry out such research in the laboratory and produce academically appropriate reports |
| Subject Specific Skills | The focus of this module is on the acquisition of specialist skills essential for undertaking the Dissertation in Quaternary Environmental Change |
| Team work | Laboratory and fieldwork necessitate students working in groups, or in liaison with staff. Implicit in this is the development of team building skills |
Reading List
Recommended TextNoller, J.S. (2000) Quaternary Geochronology AGU Primo search Walker, M.J.C (2005) Quaternary Dating Methods Wiley Primo search
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 7