Module Identifier ES10110  
Module Title ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE TUTORIAL LEVEL 1  
Academic Year 2002/2003  
Co-ordinator Dr Richard M Lucas  
Semester Semester 2 (Taught over 2 semesters)  
Other staff Professor David Kay, William A Adams, Dr Alan J Bond  
Pre-Requisite Acceptance to Level 1 Environmental Science.  
Course delivery Seminars / Tutorials   10 Hours Tutorial. 10 x 1 hour tutorial  
Assessment Semester Assessment   Continuous Assessment:   100%  
  Semester Assessment   Continuous Assessment:   100%  

Learning outcomes

Objectives
The module has three specific objectives. First, as a source of close, working contact, it can more effectively address the general academic and pastoral problems confronted by students during their first year. Second, each Environmental Science Tutorial Module is designed to have its own independent academic syllabus. At Level 1, this will focus on drawing out the integrative themes' that run through the Environmental Science programme and which are best dealt with as a separate thematic overlay to the Level 1 course. Third, it will address a defined range of study skills, enabling students to cope more effectively with the basic demands of academic study, develop transferable skills, and enable them to exploit more fully the possibilities offered by the Environmental Science programme.

Tutorial attendance is compulsory, as is submission of work by the deadline set by the tutor. Any absences should be agreed with the tutor in advance, and illness immediately notified to the tutor. Unexplained absence will result in the initiation of disciplinary procedures. Late submission of assignments without good cause will result in the imposition of late submission penalties, as set out in the Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences Part One Handbook.

Learning Outcomes
On completion of this module students should be able to :-

Brief description

The Environmental 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 Environmental Science. Academic coursework in the Level 1 Tutorial module examines the 'generic and integrative themes' that emerge from the topics discussed in the first year Environmental Science modules and through such enquiry develops a range of academic study skills. These include:

The development and assessment of these study skills will take the form of two short assignments. In the first semester, for example, these might involve Library skills: in the second semester, research skills in the gathering and reporting on secondary or local field data. The marks for both these assignments will be used in the final assessment. In addition, a minimum of four essays must be submitted as required by the tutor and the marks from three of these will be used in the final assessment. Topics for essays will vary. They may include themes such as those dealing with environmental systems, environmental change, or, the relationship between society and environmental processes. They may introduce broader themes and cross disciplinary issues which impact on environmental scientists such as the impact of population growth on urbanization. Students will receive timely feedback from the tutor after each piece of work on how they may improve subsequent essays.

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. A tutor's judgement of the overall performance of a student over the full programme forms a final, minor component in module assessment.

Aims

The tutorial module is designed to be a complementary module for students taking Part One Environmental Science. It provides a basis for close and regular supervisory contact with students throughout the year.