Module Catalogue 2025/26

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

The aim of this module is to enable students to build skills in field techniques and observations,
teamwork and presentation skills. The module is based around a series of day trips and related laboratory and data analysis sessions during which the students will conduct a range of exercises spanning environmental science (including both terrestrial and aquatic components) and earth science.

The students will benefit from a variety of field locations in the local NE and Southern Lake District of England.

Outline Of Syllabus

The field course is designed to complement the Stage 1 lectures and practicals by placing the theory and practice taught in these modules into the context of environmental and earth science projects.

Students will be introduced to exercises in aquatic chemistry, habitat biodiversity and geology, then choose one of the topics to study in more detail for their group assessment. Students will develop their observational and recording skills, and learn and apply a variety of field, laboratory and data analysis techniques.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

At the end of the module students will be able to:

- Demonstrate a working knowledge of an active bioremediation scheme

- Have a greater understanding of the geology in the NE, and how it relates to geothermal borehole projects

- Describe and compare the methods for habitat survey e.g. Phase 1 and Phase 2 habitat surveys

Intended Skill Outcomes

At the end of the module students will be able to:

- Take detailed field and laboratory notes
- Use field meters to measure key aspects of water chemistry (e.g. pH, Eh, alkalinity)
- Produce maps and logs recording key geological data
- Conduct habitat surveys e.g. Phase 1 and Phase 2
- Develop computer skills in manipulating, presenting and assessing the statistical significance of collected data
- See the development of their ability to work as part of a team
- Develop oral presentation skills

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The teaching elements within this module are necessarily varied in order to support the range of learning outcomes stated.

During the day field trips and practical workshops, students will spend the majority of time working in groups, developing their knowledge and skills to solve a variety of earth science, aquatic science and environmental science exercises.

Once they have obtained raw data they will process and analyse it during further computer workshops. As a group they will then draw all the data together into a group presentation.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

For largely a fieldwork, laboratory and workshop based module it is appropriate that the assessment is 100% coursework. The coursework will consist of a single summative group presentation to be delivered and marked by the end of the week.

The presentation should detail the fieldwork, laboratory work and data analysis performed and results obtained including diagrams and any computations or statistics. This allows each group to bring together and present their complete portfolio of fieldwork in one assessment to clearly show their results and develop their skills in oral presentation.

The formative assessment will take place at the end of the introductory half day exercises, where each student groups will be asked to informally present a brief summary of their results, and any problems they have had, to other groups. This will help build the students' skills and confidence in oral communication in a supportive atmosphere prior to their final group presentations.

General Notes

N/A