Module Information
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 8 x 1 Hour Lectures |
| Lecture | 3 x 2 Hour Lectures |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Evaluation of investigation (up to 2,500 words) | 25% |
| Semester Assessment | Project Recommendations (up to 2,000 words) | 25% |
| Semester Assessment | Project report - specific to CEW pathway (up to 5,000 words) | 50% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Students must take elements of the assessment that are equivalent to those that led to the failure of the module | 100% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Identify key issues in designing and implementing an environmental investigation within a contextual setting related to managing problems
2. Develop "best practice" solutions to assess environmental management problems within realistic constraints
3. Evaluate data arising from an investigation in terms of its reliability and fitness for purpose
4. Use information arising from an aquatic investigation to develop practical solutions to the conservation problems identified
5. Communicate findings and levels of confidence in these outcomes
Brief description
Key investigative approaches and sampling techniques are explored. The module covers a range of sampling and assessment issues in coastal, estuarine, freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems. Students will evaluate the use of "appropriate technology" to investigate environmental management issues in a variety of contextual settings, from the laboratory to the field. Skills developed in this supervised exercise will then be applied in implementing a further practical group investigation by the Coastal Estuarine and Wetlands pathway students of a problem in aquatic conservation management.
Aims
The module aims to develop skills in identifying research requirements, then designing and implementing investigations to address these requirements within realistic time and resource constraints.
Content
Based on skills gained during the supervised investigation and reporting exercise, the Coastal Estuarine and Wetlands students will then be tasked to design, implement and report on a research consultancy brief specific to the aquatic environment.
Due to seasonal constraints, the course will be delivered in two cycles between weeks 2 and 6 in semester 1 and between weeks 4 and 8 semester 2.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | Student will be expected to manipulate data for the report. |
| Communication | The exercises require the students to listen and communicate verbally. Development of scientific terminology, English, punctuation and grammar will be assessed in the project report. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Outside the formal contact hours there is an expectation that materials for the report will be researched, time is managed effectively and that deadlines are met |
| Information Technology | Students expected to utilize statistical and spatial information software, and search for appropriate sources of information. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | Students will have the opportunity to develop team working and workplace skills during investigations. |
| Problem solving | Students will be expected to identify the scope of the initial investigation and the subsequent project. |
| Research skills | Assessment requires reference to library, web and online sources. |
| Subject Specific Skills | Field work and laboratory skills specific to Coastal Estuarine and Wetlands pathway students will be developed. Problem identification in an environmental management context. |
| Team work | Student will be expected to work in groups when organizing and undertaking the practical investigations. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 7