Environmental Research Skills (BSc Geog) (F8512)

15 credits, Level 5

Autumn teaching

In this module, you'll develop the skills you need to carry out your final-year Geography dissertation and get experience in obtaining primary scientific data using a range of fieldwork, laboratory analytical and ICT methods to help you to address specific research questions.

These methods will be placed in a wider research context by embedding them in a series of lectures and workshops about topographic mapping, microclimate, invertebrates, freshwater ecology, population estimation, plant ecology and soils.

This preparation includes an introduction to the scientific method, how best to collect samples, and how to use statistics to analyse your data.

Some of your field and laboratory work will be based around a single study-site on campus to elucidate the coupling amongst numerous environmental parameters and processes.

Teaching

26%: Lecture
74%: Practical (Fieldwork, Laboratory)

Assessment

100%: Coursework (Report)

Contact hours and workload

This module is approximately 150 hours of work. This breaks down into about 54 hours of contact time and about 96 hours of independent study. The University may make minor variations to the contact hours for operational reasons, including timetabling requirements.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2022/23. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.

Courses

This module is offered on the following courses: