EA11410 - ENVIRONMENTAL EARTH SCIENCE FIELDWORK

Module Identifier	EA11410
Module Title	ENVIRONMENTAL EARTH SCIENCE FIELDWORK
Academic Year	2002/2003
Co-ordinator	Dr Nicholas J G Pearce
Semester	Semester 2 (Taught over 2 semesters)
Pre-Requisite	Only available to students registered for Environmental Earth Science
Course delivery	Other	Field Work. 1 x 1 day trip, 1 x 8 day trips (Easter Vacation)
Assessment	Semester Assessment	Field Visit / Case Study: Field approach and notebook: 50%; field report 50%	100%
	Supplementary Assessment	Not normally allowed.

Learning outcomes

Objectives
The module will enable students to observe and record geological information and integrate this with environmental
observations. In addition it will enable students to prepare a report on the geology, industry and environmental aspects of a
region and to integrate this with course work and published information.

Learning Outcomes
On completion of the module, students should :-

be technically proficient in the operation of field instruments

be able to demonstrate proficiency in field, graphical, sampling and geophysical methods

be able to classify major rock types

be able to construct a basic geological map

appreciate the logistics involved in undertaking different types of fieldwork operations

demonstrate an ability to analyse data and present results of original field measurements in a technically-sound report

be proficient in oral communication skills

Brief description

This module is designed as an introduction to field techniques in Environmental Earth Science. It consists of at a single day course followed by an eight day residential course during the Easter vacation.

The day course, normally held in central Wales, introduces some of the many topics of Environmental Earth Science. It seeks to introduce field observation techniques and recording data in field notebooks. In addition, field reports are written up after each trip, and assessed by Academic tutors.

The Easter course (currently held in North Wales) builds on the experience gained on the day trip. During this course the rocks of the area are studied with visits to a wide range of localities so building up a picture of the regional geology. This is supplemented with visits to sites of extractive industries and other industrial sites such as power stations. The environmental impact of current and past industrial activities is also assessed. A report of the trip is subsequently written up using the observations recorded.

Aims

The module introduces the basic observational, analytical and communicational skills associated with environmental earth
studies fieldwork.