Module Information
Module Identifier
GS29020
Module Title
Environmental Science Fieldwork
Academic Year
2021/2022
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 2
Exclusive (Any Acad Year)
Other Staff
Course Delivery
Assessment
Due to Covid-19 students should refer to the module Blackboard pages for assessment details
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Group oral presentation (10 minutes) | 20% |
| Semester Assessment | Individual write-up of group project (2,500 words) | 50% |
| Semester Assessment | Short reports based on staff-led projects (1,500 words) | 30% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Individual write-up of group project (2,500 words) | 50% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Short reports based on staff-led projects. (1,500 words) | 30% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Oral Presentation (10 minutes - Students who attend the field course but fail the assessment will be given the opportunity to resubmit failed components by a date to be agreed with the module co-ordinator (marks for passed components will be carried forward). Students who miss the field course will need to resit the module in the following academic year by attending one of the fieldtrips available during their 3rd year of study. An alternative form of assessment (comprising 2 x 2500 word reports) is only available to students who are unable to participate in fieldwork, as a result of extenuating personal and/or medical issues that have been corroborated by an independent and appropriately qualified professional. | 20% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Identify topical and relevant research problems in Environmental Science.
2. Design field-based research strategies for data collection and analysis that are relevant to designated research questions.
3. Demonstrate proficiency in a range of data collection/analysis/presentation/interpretation techniques.
4. Demonstrate an ability to communicate research findings through written reports.
5. Demonstrate an ability to communicate research findings through oral presentations.
Brief description
Through analysis of relevant and topical themes in Environmental Science, the module will address the following objectives:
. To provide an opportunity to apply theoretical, technical and/or scientific laboratory methods to the more complex, uncontrolled field environment, and to appreciate how processes that might be regarded as 'general' are mediated by the environmental character of a specific place.
. To prompt students' capacity to identify a problem or research question, and to develop approaches to solving or answering this through hypothesis testing, research design and data collection.
. To encourage, where appropriate, consideration of the ethical aspects of research processes.
. To promote certain transferrable skills required in practical work and seminars, such as teamwork and observation.
. To provide an opportunity to apply theoretical, technical and/or scientific laboratory methods to the more complex, uncontrolled field environment, and to appreciate how processes that might be regarded as 'general' are mediated by the environmental character of a specific place.
. To prompt students' capacity to identify a problem or research question, and to develop approaches to solving or answering this through hypothesis testing, research design and data collection.
. To encourage, where appropriate, consideration of the ethical aspects of research processes.
. To promote certain transferrable skills required in practical work and seminars, such as teamwork and observation.
Content
The module objectives will be delivered through a series of lectures and other classes with will culminate in a residential field course. The topics covered in any particular year may vary, depending on the staffing arrangements, but will include generic and subject-specific themes such as:
. Field health and safety
. Research design
. Training in field data collection, analysis and interpretation
. Human impacts on the environment.
. Natural hazards.
. Interpreting the physical landscapes.
. Aspects of environmental change.
. Field health and safety
. Research design
. Training in field data collection, analysis and interpretation
. Human impacts on the environment.
. Natural hazards.
. Interpreting the physical landscapes.
. Aspects of environmental change.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | N/A |
| Communication | Both written and oral communication of field information and interpretations will be developed via reports and presentations. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Students will be required to work on unfamiliar projects in unfamiliar settings, sometimes in challenging weather. |
| Information Technology | Written reports and information searches to will involve the application of information technology. Some project work may involve the use of GIS. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | Students will be responsible for their own taking of field notes, submit their individual field reports and acting on feedback provided. Practical applications of skills in Environmental Science and industry will be discussed during field days. |
| Problem solving | Design of field sampling strategies, evaluation of environmental data. |
| Research skills | Field and practical surveying, observation, classification, measurement and dissemination of findings all involve research and critical analysis and synthesis of information. |
| Subject Specific Skills | Surveying in environmental science, and observation, measurement and recording of environmental variables. |
| Team work | Field data collection and interpretation will be undertaken in teams. A group oral presentation will be assessed. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 5