GEO1019 : Physical Geography Field course: Landforms, processes and field techniques
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Professor Rachel Carr
- Owning School: Geography, Politics & Sociology
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
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 | |
Aims
Fieldwork is an essential part of Physical Geography, which allows us to answer questions about the nature, evolution and management of the physical environment. You will be introduced to Physical Geography fieldwork by using a range of techniques to investigate the processes that have shaped the Physical landscape in the UK. Before the field trip, the introductory lecture and two practical sessions will familiarise you with the field area and key techniques you will be using in the field.
Outline Of Syllabus
This module is delivered via:
- An introductory lecture and two practical classes, which will introduce you to the physical geography of the field trip site and the processes that have shaped it. The practicals will familiarise you with your study site and introduce you to key techniques, prior to the fieldwork. These sessions will also allow you to meet your project groups prior to the field trip. There will be two drop-in sessions after the field trip, for any questions relating to the fieldwork report.
- The residential field trip will enable you to learn key techniques used in physical geography fieldwork, which you can apply in later courses and/or your dissertation. The trip will provide you with experience of working outdoors and in the field, and teach you how to approach fieldwork safely and effectively. It will afford you an overview of the geomorphology and key environmental processes operating in the study area.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | PiP |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 1 | 159:00 | 159:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 3 | 2:00 | 6:00 | PiP |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Fieldwork | 4 | 8:00 | 32:00 | PiP |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 2 | 1:00 | 2:00 | PiP |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The lecture provides introductory material to the module, including background tot he field trip location and information on the trip logistics.
Practicals provide both an introduction to and engagement with a range of essential Physical Geography techniques.
Fieldwork will introduce the students to a range of environments practicing observation, note taking and interpretative skills. It will also provide first-hand experience of data collection and analysis using a variety of field techniques. The field trip is residential.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Examination | 1440 | 2 | M | 25 | Computer aided assessment pre-trip. 24hr take home exam, students are expected to spend 60 minutes on the exam. |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Report | 2 | M | 75 | Individual field report and notebook - 3,000 words. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The computer aided assessment encourages the students to complete essential reading prior to the field trip. It will test knowledge of the geomorphological history of the study area, which the students will need in order to understand and contextualize the tasks carried out during the field course.
The individual field report examines student ability to work-up field data in combination with appropriate. Inclusion of the field note books with the report submission encourages student engagement in the essential process of making field notes including the role of independent observation.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- GEO1019's Timetable