ACE2015 : Environmental Science Field Class 2
- Module Leader(s): Dr Elizabeth Stockdale
- Owning School: Agriculture, Food & Rural Development
Semesters
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 10 |
|---|---|
| ECTS Credits: | 5.0 |
Aims
The Module is a field-based module which trains students in field techniques and then allows group development of a project. The Module aims to:
* provide students with practice in design and planning of an investigation and testing of hypotheses (as a prelude for project work at Stage 3).
* provide practice in the analysis and interpretation of data.
* provide practice in environmental monitoring.
Outline Of Syllabus
Field work carried out following the Exam period in Stage 1
*Field assessment skills. 3 different measurement approaches to aspects of Environmental Quality assessment at 3 contrasting sites. Work carried out in groups. Training in risk assessment and quality assurance.
*Scoping work and planning for a group study in the field. Series of tasks carried out in groups to develop the skills needed to ensure that a feasible field project is designed, with appropriate risk assessment and quality assurance in place.
*Project work in the field in groups.
Follow up classes in Semester 1
*Tutorials - Skills of data analysis and presentation, writing reports and oral presentation discussed in 1 hour sessions utilising data collected.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 25:00 | 25:00 | Preparation of final technical report |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 2:30 | 2:30 | Selection and presentation of materials from planning as workplan for assessment |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 1 | 3:00 | 3:00 | Student presentations and discussion |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 4 | 1:00 | 4:00 | Sessions in which data collected in the field is collated and considered in the groups |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Fieldwork | 5 | 9:00 | 45:00 | Runs after the Semester 2 assessment period at the end of Stage 1 |
| Guided Independent Study | Student-led group activity | 1 | 10:00 | 10:00 | Group work to analyse and interpret data collected in the field and develop the short presentation |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 10:30 | 10:30 | Background reading on the project topic / report writing skills |
| Total | 100:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The field-based nature of the module allows development of field observation skills and the collection of data individual to each group for analysis and reporting to the whole cohort. Group-working throughout the 5 days field work including project design and implementation as a group is designed to strongly develop teamworking and interpersonal communication skills. The topics examined during the week provide a contrast in both techniques and environment. The choice of techniques also encourages an appreciation of the importance of integrating studies across discipline boundaries.
Oral presentations in the small group teaching sessions ensure all benefit from the final analysis and interpretation of data and discuss how overall findings might be made available to interested parties.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Presentation | 20 | 1 | M | 15 | Group presentation with peer assessment of individual contribution |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Report | 1 | M | 10 | Aims and objectives with work plan for field work with completed risk assessment (3 pages) |
| Practical/lab report | 1 | M | 75 | Technical report on the research investigation in the field (2500 words) |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
a) The work plan tests initial planning/design skills and feedback following assessment provides information that can be used to guide the development of the main report.
b) The oral presentation tests the ability of the group to identify the key elements within a large body of work and their skills in developing materials for visual presentation as well as oral communication skills. Feedback on the day through questions/answers can help to consolidate understanding ahead of the compilation of the final report.
c) The final technical report tests the reporting of a field project especially analysis of data and interpretation together with writing skills.
If a failing student has completed the practical work sucessfully, then the resit is simply a re-submission, following feedback, of the final technical report. The resit mark is awarded solely on the basis of the report.
If the student has failed to engage with the fieldwork then the Module has to be taken again as a whole at the next normal occasion.
Reading Lists
- Reading List Website : rlo.ncl.ac.uk
- ACE2015's Reading List
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- ACE2015's Timetable
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.
