| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 10 |
|---|---|
| ECTS Credits: | 5.0 |
This Module aims to provide the environmental background required to understand and assess the land resource mosaic in both natural habitats and managed agroecosystems. This requires development of an understanding of how climate, vegetation, hydrology, geological substrate, topography and time interact to determine land quality. A range of current land resource issues and factors determining land use are considered.
The module will encourage the handling, evaluation and judgement of information from several disciplines. It provides the background for more detailed studies of soils, vegetation ecology, and sustainable land management at Stages 2 and 3.
This module provides the background information and skills needed to understand and assess the land resource mosaic in the UK, including consideration of natural habitats and managed agro-ecosystems.
The module develops an understanding of how climate, geology, topography, time and vegetation interact to determine land quality.
Lectures and practical classes are integrated.
A range of current land resource issues and factors determining land use are considered.
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Academic Staff Contact Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 2:30 | 2:30 | 0:00 | Preparation and completion of Blackboard MCQ tests after practical classes |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 20:00 | 20:00 | 0:00 | Semester 1 examination and revision of taught materials (lectures, tutorials, practicals) |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 18 | 1:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 5:00 | 5:00 | 0:00 | Preparation of reports for assessment after tutorials |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 4 | 3:00 | 12:00 | 24:00 | Students split into two groups by degree programmes |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 2 | 2:00 | 4:00 | 8:00 | Computer Classes |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 1 | 3:00 | 3:00 | 0:00 | Tutorial preparation |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 3 | 1:00 | 3:00 | 9:00 | Tutorials in degree programme groups to evaluate research and or carry out problem solving exercises |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Fieldwork | 1 | 5:00 | 5:00 | 10:00 | Students split into 2 groups by degree programmes |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 27:30 | 27:30 | 0:00 | Lecture follow up and background reading |
| Total | 100:00 | 69:00 |
An integrated programme of lectures, practicals and tutorials allows material to be introduced and then handled in a variety of ways.
The field trip provides an introduction to the range of issues to be tackled in the remainder of the course and a chance to learn some preliminary field observation skills.
Lectures provide core information and also allow students to consider integration of aspects of the material introduced in earlier lectures into more complex case studies in later lectures.
Practical classes allow further hands on integration of ideas and resources, including the development of practical skills and group working.
Small group teaching in tutorials allows more in depth discussion and problem solving in groups.
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 90 | 1 | A | 50 | N/A |
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer assessment | 1 | M | 25 | 2 x Blackboard MCQs testing application of information recorded in practical classes |
| Report | 1 | M | 25 | 2 X 4 page reports presenting follow up exercises after tutorials |
Follow up exercises after the tutorials and practicals allow students to consolidate, develop and integrate materials and apply them to materials beyond the case studies presented in lectures. The exercises are spaced throughout the first term providing regular feedback on progress and development of understanding to staff and students.
The examination consists of 4 compulsory short answer questions which test the students' knowledge of key material taught throughout the course. These are accompanied by a selected (1 from 3) longer answer question which allows students to integrate materials from across the lectures, tutorials, practicals and beyond showing their broader understanding of the knowledge outcomes.
Disclaimer: The University will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver modules in accordance with the descriptions set out in this catalogue. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information, however, the University reserves the right to introduce changes to the information given including the addition, withdrawal or restructuring of modules if it considers such action to be necessary.