ESC-20081 - Research and fieldwork planning
Coordinator: Ian Oliver Tel: +44 1782 7 34956
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 5
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 733615

Programme/Approved Electives for 2021/22

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

ESC-20079
ESC-20080

Description for 2021/22

This module prepares students for the third year research projects, and for their future careers, through the application of their skills and understandings to the 'real world' through a 6-8 day residential field course and through the design of a research project to be carried out in their third year.

Aims
This module aims to develop students' research skills appropriate to the fields of Environmental Science and Environment & Sustainability. Students will apply their understanding of research methodologies and skills to the design of their own research project for their third year independent project, and to research in the 'real world' through a residential field course.

Intended Learning Outcomes

design a piece of research achievable as a third year dissertation project and applicable to the field of Environmental Science or Environment & Sustainability (as appropriate); showing an ability to synthesize the research literature, select appropriate techniques for data collection and analysis, and conduct research ethically and safely.: 2
integrate and apply knowledge of the biological, geological, chemical and social aspects of the fields of environmental science and sustainability;: 1
assess solutions to problems of managing disturbed/degraded/disadvantaged areas and demonstrate an understanding of environmental management issues in a range of environments and contexts;: 1
apply theoretical knowledge and understanding of environmental science and sustainability issues to specific social, geographical and environmental contexts;: 1
demonstrate understanding of the ideological and philosophical underpinning of different approaches to environmental and sustainability research;: 2
apply knowledge and skills to field work in an unfamiliar environment.: 1


Study hours

60 hours field course
12 hours workshops
78 independent learning hours

School Rules

This module is only for students who are studying abroad in semester 1 and will miss half of the 30-credit ESC-20079.

Description of Module Assessment

1: Portfolio weighted 60%
Field course portfolio
A portfolio of activities covered as part of a 6 to 8 day field course

2: Research Proposal weighted 40%
2000 word research proposal
2000 word research proposal appropriate for a Level 6 independent project, incorporating a literature review, aims and objectives, ethics and resource considerations and a risk assessment