NES2208 : International Earth and Environmental Science Fieldtrip
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Dr Sanem Acikalin Cartigny
- Lecturer: Dr Shannon Flynn, Dr Elisa Lopez-Capel, Dr Simon Peacock, Dr Cees van der Land
- Owning School: Natural and Environmental Sciences
- Teaching Location: Off 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
The aim of this module is to learn Environmental Science field data collection techniques, making field observations, practice data interpretation and present findings to a wider audience. Team work and time management are other focus points of this module.
Technical topics include basic understanding of rocks, soil types, habitat and water chemistry. Renewable energy sources and their environmental impact are the other focus points.
Outline Of Syllabus
The module includes number of technical focus points;
- Link between basement rocks, soil types and associated habitat are investigated.
- Environmental impact assessment and habitat assessments are practiced for mining and renewable energy sources (eg. geothermal, wind and solar energy).
- Water chemistry of surface and ground water resources are studied
The module is a residential field work and includes travelling and staying abroad for few days. Alternative teaching and assessment are provided if/when students cannot attend.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 10:00 | 10:00 | surface sedimentary processes |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 11:00 | 11:00 | basic rock and soil identification |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 30:00 | 30:00 | Data collection, habitat assessment, water chemistry |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 2 | 1:00 | 2:00 | Non-synchronous. Module intro, coursework intro |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | Post fieldtrip assessed interview |
| Guided Independent Study | Skills practice | 1 | 3:00 | 3:00 | Self guided evening work on geological map |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | Pre fieldtrip H&S instructions |
| Guided Independent Study | Reflective learning activity | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Formative assessment and reflection on it |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Fieldwork | 7 | 7:00 | 49:00 | international residential fieldtrip |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | Post fieldtrip drop-in |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 90:00 | 90:00 | N/A |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
This is a field based module with the students learning key skills in the field.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Examination | 2 | M | 75 | Oral assessment (10 minute presentation 25%) and individual interview of field note book (50%) at the end of fieldtrip. |
| Practical/lab report | 2 | M | 25 | Mini geological map/design produced during fieldtrip. Handed in at end of trip. 1000 words |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practical/lab report | 2 | M | Students to work on a field notebook and receive feedback |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
A combination of in field and pre-field assessments helps students to learn the subjects in a slower pace and give them opportunity to build on their learning. Pre-field trip assessment is designed to prepare students to the more intense field learning. In this assessment, students collect information from literature to build their background understanding.
In field assessments support students' both team work skills and individual understanding of the studied subjects. Oral examination/interview, mainly focuses on students' their own observations and their ability to communicate them.
Formative assessment:
Formative assessment will be providing a feedback on students’ notebook, and aims to improve transferable skills, such as making observations, drawing sketches and taking notes.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- NES2208's Timetable