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ESC-20144 - Module Specification
School of Life Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2025/26 Last Updated: 07 August 2025

ESC-20144 - Lake District Field Course
Coordinator: Simon Pemberton Tel: +44 1782 7 33165
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 5
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 734414

Programme/Approved Electives for 2025/26

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

No specific entry requirements

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2025/26

Lake District field course provides you with hands-on experience in one of the UK's most iconic landscapes. This module involves a weeklong residential, intensive field study focusing on the region's unique physical geography, ecology, culture and built environment. You will conduct various fieldwork activities, including data collection, environmental analysis, and ethnographic observation. This immersive experience enhances practical skills in geographical and environmental research and fosters a deeper understanding of the interactions between natural environments and human activities within the Lake District.

Aims
The 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


integrate and apply knowledge of geographical, environmental science, ecological, conservation and sustainability issues to specific social, geographical and environmental contexts.
: 1
develop an appropriate research design and research strategy relevant to the field of geography, environmental science, ecology and conservation, and environment and sustainability in order to identify a research question, aims, objectives and hypotheses.: 2
select and use the correct field techniques and methodologies in a safe, responsible and sustainable fashion (in line with RGS fieldwork principles) to successfully complete research in the field and to collect reliable meaningful data.: 2
clearly and critically communicate the rationale for fieldwork, a review of the relevant literature, a justification of the methods chosen and an evaluation of the results and what they mean.: 1,2

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: Literature Review weighted 50%
Literature Review
2,000 word thematic literature review related to the fieldwork.

2: Research Report weighted 50%
Fieldwork Report
A group or individual written research report related to the fieldwork completed as part of the module. The nature and length of the report (2000 words individual; 3000 words group) will vary depending on the field location and the research theme that students are working on, and which shapes the nature of assessment and word count (for example, students working on more physical geography / environmental science-related projects will be working in different locations and undertaking different data collection and analysis methods compared to students who are undertaking more human geography / environmental studies related projects).

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. 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/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 07 August 2025