Module Information

Module Identifier
WS20510
Module Title
WATER SCIENCE LEVEL 2 TUTORIAL
Academic Year
2008/2009
Co-ordinator
Dr Sarah J Davies
Semester
Semester 2

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
Seminars / Tutorials Tutorial. 10 x 1 hr
 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Continuous assessment of students written work, and presentations.   Continuous Assessment:  100%

Learning Outcomes

This module has three specific objectives.

  1. As a source of close, working contact, it will address the general academic and pastoral problems confronted by students during the year.
  2. Each Water Science tutorial module is designed to have its own independent academic syllabus. At Level 2 this will focus on the theory and practice of water science and contemporary water science issues.
  3. It will address a defined syllabus of study skills enabling students to cope more effectively with the demands of academic study, develop transferable skills, and enable them to exploit more fully the possibilities offered by our programme.

Aims

The tutorial module is designed to be a complementary module for students taking part two Water Science in the second year of their degree. It provides a basis for close and regular supervisory contact with students throughout the year, a means to explore the major themes of Water Science, and a forum to develop study and transferable skills, particularly with respect to library based research and essay writing.

Content

The Water Science core includes an assessed tutorial component with personal academic tutors in small groups of about five students. In this module study personal skills are developed, career ambitions explored and academic discussion takes place around a defined syllabus in Water Science. Academic coursework in the Level 2 Tutorial module examines the themes that emerge from the topics discussed in the second year Water Science modules, such as:
  • The Hydrological Cycle
  • Changing Water Resources
  • Catchment Dynamics
  • Water Quality and Health
  • Integrated Basin Management
    • and through such enquiry develops a range of academic study skills.
The skills developed include:
  • The planning of work routines and the setting of academic and personal targets;
  • Library use and how to build an effective reading programme; styles of note making/annotation and bibliographic referencing;
  • Data gathering analysis and interpretation;
  • Water Science Reporting and Essay Writing and examination technique (students are introduced to good writing skills and the qualities used to assess written work).
During the first semester, the tutorial module will focus on essential study skills and on the nature of water science discourse. Assessment will be based on three pieces of submitted work. These will comprise:
  • one piece of project work concerned with the development of study skills.
  • two academic essays on subjects to be determined by the tutor.
During the second semester, the tutorial module will focus on discussion of theory and practice in water science and on preparation for an independent water science study. The semester is intended to provide direct support for dissertation preparation. The assessed end product will be two background papers, maximum length 1800 words each, covering research methodology, problem identification and the preparation of a dissertation contextual essay and literature review.

The tutorial module offers students the opportunity to engage directly in their learning, to contribute to discussion and give presentations on their work in a small group setting.

Alongside its academic role, discussion can take place on CV building and careers opportunities.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5