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ESC-20106 - Module Specification
School of Geography, Geology and the Environment
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2022/23 Last Updated: 19 January 2023

ESC-20106 - Geographical and Environmental Field Skills
Coordinator: Mark Lucherini Tel: +44 1782 7 32866
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 5
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 733615

Programme/Approved Electives for 2022/23

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

ESC-20079 - Environmental and Sustainability Impact
Assessment and Research Planning

Description for 2022/23

This module equips students with the knowledge, skills and techniques about how to undertake fieldwork research appropriate to the subjects of geography, environmental science, sustainability and ecology and conservation. Students practice their research skills in a real-world field setting, collecting their own data and communicating and analysing the findings in a research report. Students will develop key research techniques and skills relevant to their third-year independent project and will also gain a range of technical, communication and analytical skills relevant to a range of careers.

Aims
This module aims to develop students' fieldwork research skills applicable to the fields of geography, environmental science, sustainability and ecology and conservation. Students will gain experience of planning and executing fieldwork research in a real-world setting using appropriate techniques and skills. Students will learn how to communicate the research process, including research strategy, data collection, analysis and interpretation through a research report. The module also aims to equip students with the knowledge, skills and methodologies required to undertake their independent research projects in L6.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Identify a research question and write achievable, clear, aims, objectives and hypotheses: 1
design an appropriate research strategy relevant to the field of geography, environmental science, ecology and conservation, and environment and sustainability: 1
select and use the correct field techniques and methodologies to successfully complete research in the field and to collect reliable meaningful data: 1
conduct research safely, ethically, responsibly and sustainability in accordance with the RGS fieldwork principles: 1
integrate and apply knowledge of geographical, environmental science, ecological, conservation and sustainability issues to specific social, geographical and environmental contexts: 1
clearly and critically communicate the rationale for fieldwork, the methods chosen, the results and what they mean in the form a research report: 1

Study hours

12 x 2 hour seminars/active learning sessions
40 hours fieldwork
86 hours completing fieldwork portfolio assessments

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Portfolio weighted 100%
Fieldwork Portfolio
A portfolio of assessments related to the fieldwork completed as part of the module. The portfolio of assessments may vary depending on the field location but must include a research report worth 50% of the assessment including, research questions, and introduction, methods, results, discussion and conclusions and two other pieces of assessment relevant to the field course. Possible assessments may include a short quiz, fieldnote book and a reflective dairy.

Please note that for the 2022/23 Academic Year programmes may be adapted to operate in accordance with a flexible, digital approach. This means that there may be some changes made to how modules are delivered and assessed. The latest information will be provided to you by your School in module handbooks. We endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes and details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/student-terms-and-conditions/

Last Updated: 19 January 2023