Module Information

Module Identifier
ES20320
Module Title
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE FIELDWORK
Academic Year
2010/2011
Co-ordinator
Dr Peter W Abrahams
Semester
Semester 2 (Taught over 2 semesters)
Other Staff
 

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
Practical 8 hours
Other Fieldwork: 10 days
 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment FIELDWORK REPORT  1,800 word report detailing fieldwork undertaken in Spain  30%
Semester Assessment PRESENTATION  Oral group presentation based on field project in Spain, supported by submission of individual abstracts.  20%
Semester Assessment REPORT 1  1,800 word report detailing work undertaken in Wales  25%
Semester Assessment REPORT 2  1,800 word report detailing work undertaken in Wales  25%
Supplementary Assessment RESUBMISSION  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.  100%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

1. Apply a range of techniques to investigate environmental issues.
2. Undertake a basic environmental field survey and apply appropriate sampling strategies.
3. Identify the safety and logistical aspects of different types of fieldwork operations in environmental science.
4. Analyze data and present results of original field measurements in technically-sound reports and via oral presentations.
5. Describe the environmental issues facing Mediterranean societies and comment critically on differences with the UK.

Content

An 8-day fieldtrip to north-east Spain. The topics covered in any particular year may vary slightly depending on staffing arrangements, but will normally include:
  • Salinisation
  • Water resources in the Ebro Basin
  • Geochemical analysis of soils
  • Ecological surveying
Four days of fieldwork in the mid-Wales area. Topics will normally include some of the following:
  • The treatment of contaminated water
  • Heavy metal pollution from mining
  • Nature reserve management
  • Palaeoecological records of environmental change
  • An introduction to surveying
Practical classes will provide additional support for field activities. This will include follow-up laboratory work on samples collected in the field and sessions on preparation and writing up of field reports.

Brief description

A fieldwork module based both in mid-Wales and, to appreciate a number of environmental issues encountered abroad, an overseas excursion to the arid and mountainous terrain of north-eastern Spain. Overall, the module will provide the framework for gaining practical experience in environmental science. It will focus on the development of expertise in specific measurement/ identification techniques.

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number Where appropriate, students will be trained in statistical techniques to analyse their field data
Communication Both written and oral communication of field information will be developed via reports and discussion.
Improving own Learning and Performance Students will be responsible for their own taking of field notes, and will submit their individual field reports.
Information Technology Written reports and literature/information searches to be undertaken electronically.
Problem solving The evaluation of environmental information and data.
Research skills Field and practical surveying, observation, classification, measurement and dissemination of findings.
Subject Specific Skills Surveying in environmental science, observation, field and associated practical measurement of relevant variables.
Team work Field information and the interpretation of data will be obtained by teams of students. A team oral presentation will be assessed.

Reading List

Recommended Text
Jones, A. et al. (2000) Practical Skills in Environmental Sciences Longman, Harlow Primo search

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5