ESC-20029 - Practical Physical Geography

Coordinator: Antonia C Law Tel: +44 1782 7 34306

Lecture Time: See Timetable...

Level: Level 5

Credits: 15

Study Hours: 150

School Office: 01782 733615

Programme/Approved Electives for 2020/21

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

No specific entry requirements

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2020/21

This module provides a comprehensive introduction to a variety of specialist field, laboratory and computer-based techniques of particular relevance to physical geography and allied subjects. These focus around the completion of an Environmental Baseline Survey and a GIS project promoting the development of skills that are relevant to a range of specialist careers pathways. The module builds upon core concepts and techniques introduced in the level 4 practical programmes whilst providing a portfolio of skills applicable to level 6 independent study projects. Training and first-hand experience is provided within the practical classes, which are supplemented by guided personal reflections designed to encourage you to reflect upon the methods of data collection, analysis and presentation, and to consider their wider applications.

Aims

To provide training and first-hand experience in a variety of essential physical geograpahy field and laboratory practical skills.To build upon concepts and techniques introduced in the level I practical programme and provide a portfolio of skills applicable to level III independent research projects.
To highlight the research applications and careers relevance of these techniques through in-class discussion and the directed reading of journal literature.

Talis Aspire Reading List
Any reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.
http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/esc-20029/lists

Intended Learning Outcomes

use a range of specialist geographical techniques (field, laboratory and computer-based) to collect, analyse, present and interpret a range of primary and secondary data: 1,2,4
work effectively as part of a team to complete a group exercise within a specified time period: 1,4
reflect upon and evaluate the quality of geographical data and determine the most effective techniques for the collection, analysis and presentation of this data: 3,4
apply these techniques in a problem-solving context and present the key findings within a formal written report: 1,2,4

Study hours

Practical classes 33 hours
Practical class preparation 15 hours
Preparation and completion of EBS report 45 hours
Preparation and completion of GIS project 25 hours
Completion of guided personal reflections 10 hours
Independent research and wider reading 22 hours

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Individual Report weighted 40%
Environmental Baseline Survey report
Individual section of technical report of up to 1500 words relating to a section of the Environmental Baseline Survey that forms the focus of the practical sessions in weeks 2-8.

2: Project weighted 35%
GIS project
Completion of an individually-assessed GIS project relating to a series of exercises run in the practical sessions

3: Reflective Analysis weighted 15%
Guided personal reflection
Completion of a series of guided personal reflection exercises (equivalent to a total of c. 750 words) that consider the characteristics, quality and presentation of the primary and secondary data collected during the EBS. This provides an individual assessment component related to the EBS group project.

4: Group Report weighted 10%
Group Collation of Environmental Baseline Survery Report
Students will bring their individual sections of the Environmental Baseline Report together as one document and write a clear introduction, conclusions and recommendations based on the report findings. The students will also have to present all sections in a consistent and professional manner. Words limit for Introduction, conclusions and recommendations are 1000 words.

ESC-20029 - Module Specification School of Geography, Geology and the Environment Faculty of Natural Sciences

ESC-20029 - Module Specification
School of Geography, Geology and the Environment
Faculty of Natural Sciences