RS14110 - STUDYING THE DYNAMIC COUNTRYSIDE

Module Identifier

RS14110

Module Title

STUDYING THE DYNAMIC COUNTRYSIDE

Academic Year

2005/2006

Co-ordinator

Mr David R Powell

Semester

Semester 2

Other staff

Dr Graham P Harris, Dr John M Warren

Pre-Requisite

RS11720 , RS14020

Course delivery

Other

4 - 6 day residential course at a location in the UK

Assessment

Assessment Type	Assessment Length/Details	Proportion
Semester Assessment	Detailed scientific field report Outcomes assessed: 1, 2, 3	100%
Supplementary Assessment	Candidates will be required to submit an essay based on the field studies	100%

Learning outcomes

On completion of this module students should be able to:

1. Interpret, through field observation, the development of key landscapes and habitats in relation to environmental factors and historical and current management practices.

2. Apply appropriate field technicques to describe and quantify the distribution and abundance patterns of organisms in relation to environment factors.

3. Analyse and interpret field observations in an appropriate manner, producing a report using appropriate scientific terminology and style.

Aims

This module is intended to provide students, particularly those of Countryside Management and Countryside Conservation, with an integrative field based learning experience within which they can draw and develop upon material delivered across the range of their first year environmental science modules. The module will take the form of a residential field course of between 4 and 6 days duration to be held within the United Kingdom. The aims of the module are:

To develop an understanding of the complex interrelationships between geology, geography, history and current management practice that contribute to the development of landscapes and habitats.
To illustrate fundamental ecological principles.
To develop skills in the recording and interpretation of field observations.

Module Skills

Communication	Field reports must be submitted in an appropriate scientific style. Assessment of this skill will contribute to the mark for the module.
Improving own Learning and Performance	As the module will take the form of an intensive residential field course, a high level of organisation and personal responsibility wil be required of the participants.
Team work	Field data collection will take place in small groups who will be responsible for reporting back results to the whole class. The residential nature of the field course will require students to operate in a 'community' environment.
Application of Number	Numerical field data will be collected, displayed and analysed. Assessment of this skill will contribute to the mark for the module.
Personal Development and Career planning	Field visits are likely to involve opportunities for discussion of current issues in management of the countryside related to careers for graduates. There may be opportunities to meet with individuals involved in the management of sites.

Reading Lists

Books
Chapman J L and Reiss, M J (1992) Ecology: Principles and application Cambridge University Press
Rackham O (1993) The history of the countryside J M Dent
Rieley, J O and Page, S E (1990) Ecology of plant communities - a phytosociological account of the British vegetation Weidenfeld and Nicholson
Rose, F (1981) The wildflower key Warne
Toghill, P (2000) The geology of Britain: an introduction Swan Hill
Fitter R, Fitter A and Blamey M (1996) Collins pocket guide: wildflowers of Britain and Northern Europe 5th edition. Harper Collins 0002200627

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 4