Module Identifier EA22120  
Module Title LABORATORY TECHNIQUES  
Academic Year 2001/2002  
Co-ordinator Dr Bill Perkins  
Semester Semester 2  
Other staff Dr Stephen Tooth  
Pre-Requisite EA11610  
Course delivery Lecture   10 Hours 10 x 1 hour  
  Practical   33 Hours 11 3-hour practical classes  
Assessment Presentation   Group project oral presentation.   15%  
  Group project   Group project written report.   25%  
  Report   Laboratory practical reports (11) following each of the practical exercises.   60%  
  Resit assessment   Not available. The laboratory practical basis for the assessment of 60% of this module means that a student must retake the whole module.    

Brief description


This module will provide training in the principles and methods of physical and chemical analysis of natural materials. The module is practically-based and the assessment reflects this. The module will introduce the theory behind instrumental methods of chemical analysis and practical training in the application of these principles. The module will introduce the methods for the physical analysis of natural materials, particularly unconsolidated sediments.

Aims


This module aims to provide training in the range of laboratory techniques used to determine the chemical and physical properties of natural materials. The module aims to provide a thorough training in theory behind a range of instrumental chemical analysis methods. These will concentrate on inorganic methods. The module will be strongly practically based (which is reflected in the assessment) and will emphasise laboratory safety throughout. The physical analysis methods will be taught on a practical basis and will be assessed using laboratory-based practicals.

Learning outcomes


At the end of this module the student will be able to:

Additional learning activities


The students will work on samples which are collected during their second year field course. The samples will form the basis of a group project which is assessed. Each student will be assigned to a group of five. Once the field samples have been analysed the entire cohort will be furnished with the same data set. Each of the groups will then work on these data sets independently. The groups each make a presentation to a panel of assessors (acting as clients) which will include representatives from environmental consultancies and industry. Thus the students will be exposed to 'real life' experience of oral presentations. The presentations will be recorded on video and each group will be invited to comment on their proposal, making suggestions about improvements which might be made.