GEO2052 : Physical Geography Field course 2: Iceland
GEO2052 : Physical Geography Field course 2: Iceland
- Offered for Year: 2023/24
- Module Leader(s): Professor Andrew Russell
- Lecturer: Dr Nick Cutler, Dr Bethan Davies
- Owning School: Geography, Politics & Sociology
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
- Capacity limit: 50 student places
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
Semester 2 Credit Value: | 20 |
ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
European Credit Transfer System | |
Pre-requisite
Modules you must have done previously to study this module
Code | Title |
---|---|
GEO2137 | Key Methods for Physical Geographers |
Pre Requisite Comment
If you are a stage 3 student, you must take the pre-requisite stage 2 module.
Co-Requisite
Modules you need to take at the same time
Code | Title |
---|---|
GEO2137 | Key Methods for Physical Geographers |
Co Requisite Comment
If you are a stage 2 student, you must take the co-requisite stage 2 module.
Aims
1. To give the student advanced, first-hand experience of active geomorphological and palaeonvironmental processes within an unfamiliar dynamic environment.
2. To build on experience of GEO1020 (Introduction to Physical Geography) and GEO2137 (Key Methods in Physical Geography) by developing advanced skills in research design, observation, recording and interpretation of geomorphological processes and environmental change, and to further extend and enhance understanding of land-formation processes and landform evaluation.
3. To provide a broader context for process-based, palaeoenvironmental and applied physical geography modules available in the wider physical geography curriculum.
4. To allow the student to develop, more fully, the links between literature-based knowledge and field-based research. This will help to develop a realistic and critical perspective on the practicalities and limitations of field research within a challenging environment.
Outline Of Syllabus
1. Staff-led field days introduce, develop and illustrate the environmental history of South Iceland and the key geomorphological concepts relevant to the field course.
2. Fieldwork provides opportunities for student-led design and planning of physical geography research as teams of 4-5 students, and to collect data.
3. Training in fieldwork techniques and assistance in project design will be available from staff.
4. Coursework provides an opportunity to (i) synthesise, interpret and critically evaluate a wide range of literature and primary and secondary data concerning geomorphological processes and environmental change in the study area and (ii) demonstrate the capacity to communicate concisely and effectively in writing and through graphical presentations, and to report scientific research in an appropriate manner.
5. Field presentations provide an opportunity, within the context of group exercises, to present the initial results of fieldwork, the physical geography context of the projects and to reflect on the development and execution of small scale research projects conducted in unfamiliar surroundings.
Learning Outcomes
Intended Knowledge Outcomes
1. Understanding of the mechanisms and hypotheses of landform genesis identified from published sources.
2. Ability to utilize and critically evaluate physical geography techniques used in environmental description and interpretation.
3. Capacity to synthesise material from both field- and literature-based sources and come to conclusions and develop constuctive criticism.
Intended Skill Outcomes
1. Ability to abstract and synthesise geomorphological and palaeoenvironmental material from both field- and literature based sources.
2. Ability to collect, interpret and critically evaluate geomorphological data within the context of study area landform processes and evolution.
3. Ability to plan and execute physical geography fieldwork as part of a team, and in unfamiliar surroundings.
4. Ability to report and present physical geography research orally and as written reports.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | Early semester 2 lecture to introduce the fieldtrip |
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 2 | 2:00 | 4:00 | Pre- and post-fieldtrip GIS practical classes for desk study and post-acquisition data analysis |
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 2 | 2:00 | 4:00 | On-fieldtrip (or post-fieldtrip) presentations by students |
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Fieldwork | 1 | 56:00 | 56:00 | Fieldtrip (may include UK-Iceland travel) |
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 2 | 1:00 | 2:00 | Drop-in sessions to support data analysis and report write-up |
Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 133:00 | 133:00 | N/A |
Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
1. Lectures and staff-led field days introduce, develop and illustrate the environmental history of the study area and the key physical geography concepts relevant to the field course.
2. Fieldwork provides opportunities for student-led design and planning of physical geography research as teams of 4-5 students, and to collect data. Training in fieldwork techniques and assistance in project design will be available from staff.
Timetabling is wholly appropriate for this type of learning experience.
Reading Lists
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|
Report | 2 | M | 80 | Individual field report - 3000 words |
Oral Examination | 2 | M | 20 | Group seminar presentation |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
1. Coursework provides an opportunity to (i) synthesise, interpret and critically evaluate a wide range of literature and primary and secondary data concerning geomorphological processes and environmental change in the study area and (ii) demonstrate the capacity to communicate concisely and effectively in writing and through graphical presentations, and to report scientific research in an appropriate manner.
2. Field presentations provide an opportunity, within the context of the group exercises, to present the initial results of fieldwork, the geomorphological context of the projects and to reflect on the development and executuion of small scale research projects conducted in unfamiliar surroundings.
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- GEO2052's Timetable
Past Exam Papers
- Exam Papers Online : www.ncl.ac.uk/exam.papers/
- GEO2052's past Exam Papers
General Notes
N/A
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