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ESC-30142 - Module Specification
School of Life Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2026/27 Last Updated: 26 June 2026

ESC-30142 - Professional Environmental Field Skills
Coordinator: Peter Lawrence
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 6
Credits: 30
Study Hours: 300
School Office: 01782 734414

Programme/Approved Electives for 2026/27

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

ESC-20108 Environmental Impact Assessment

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2026/27

There is a recognised graduate skills shortage within the ecology and conservation sector. This module is designed to address that gap by providing hands-on experience in specialist ecological survey techniques and taxonomic identification skills for a variety of plant and animal groups that are highly valued by employers. You will also develop an understanding of the broader professional context, including legislation, licensing, and tendering processes that individuals and organisations routinely engage with.
Your learning will be underpinned by core taxonomic principles, providing the scientific foundation for professional survey and identification of plants and animals.
As part of the module, you will undertake and reflect on a series of practical experiences that mirror specialist activities commonly associated with professional accreditation or external certification in the ecology sector. These are designed to complement your degree by supporting the development of an applied field-based tender.
The module provides structured time and guidance to engage with these activities, while developing your awareness of professional survey standards and encouraging critical reflection on the skills, competencies, and resources required for a career in ecology.

Aims
This module builds on the broad field skills developed at Levels 4 and 5 within the “Environmental Geography” programmes by advancing students’ expertise in ecological field survey techniques and taxonomic identification skills for a variety of plant and animal groups.
Students will learn, apply, and critically evaluate survey methods across multiple taxa, and communicate their findings to both public and professional audiences.
The module places particular emphasis on species and habitats protected under UK legislation. Its primary aim is to develop specialist plant and animal identification skills, underpinned by a strong taxonomic understanding of the adapted characteristics that distinguish major plant and animal groups.

Intended Learning Outcomes

accurately apply taxonomic knowledge to distinguish between animal taxa.: 1
identify and communicate plant species from a specific habitat using diagnostic characteristics.: 2
select, apply, and communicate appropriate field survey techniques.: 3
critically evaluate the strengths and limitations of ecological survey methods.: 1,2,3

Study hours

The active learning hours for the module = 50 hrs
SEM1
7 x 3hr – weekly workshops, laboratory and fieldwork sessions
2 x 4hr - OSPE related activities
SEM2
3 x 3hr – workshops and field sessions
3 x 4hr – workshops and field sessions
The independent learning hours for the module = 250 hr
87.5 hrs preparing for animal taxon-specific identification assessment (Assessment 1)
75 hrs working on the herbarium and poster and preparing for the poster session (Assessment 2)
87.5 hrs on Ecological Survey Methods Portfolio (Assessment 3)

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Class Test weighted 35%
Objective Structured Practical Examination (OSPE) - Animal identification assessment
Students will complete an identification test of animal taxa. For example, they may be provided with a set of specimens and asked to identify them to the taxonomic level stated. Other tasks may include identifying animals from field signs or bioacoustics recordings. Training for all the required tasks is built into the module structure with dedicated sessions and a mock exam.

2: Poster weighted 30%
Herbarium and Poster
Students must produce a herbarium comprising ten plant species collected from a self-selected habitat, and create an accompanying poster for public engagement that includes (as a minimum): a) An ecological and botanical overview of the chosen habitat. b) Notable ecological information on at least three herbarium species (e.g. Cardamine pratensis as a larval food plant for the orange-tip butterfly; Trifolium repens hosting nitrogen-fixing bacteria that enhance soil fertility). An opportunity to present herbarium collections and posters will be provided through an informal, interactive, conference-style event (held after marking) to preserve anonymity.

3: Report weighted 35%
Ecological Survey Planning Report (2,500 words)
Students will develop a structured research proposal of 2,500 words following the format of a real-world professional grant or tender (e.g. Royal Geographical Society student grants). The proposal may focus on any habitat, species, or any ecological spatial relationship globally. The submission must present a coherent and feasible research plan that demonstrates critical engagement with field survey methodologies. Students are expected to justify their methodological choices in terms of personal skill development, data quality, and cost-effectiveness within the realistic funding constraints of their chosen grant or tender.

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: 26 June 2026