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2017/18 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

GEOG3062 New Zealand Field Trip

20 creditsClass Size: 30

Module manager: Dr Jonathan Carrivick
Email: j.l.carrivick@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

This module is mutually exclusive with

GEOG3069Costa Rica Field Trip

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

At the start of Level 3 students will receive a briefing and introduction lecture and have access to a Virtual Field Course. They will produce a brief research proposal, in accordance with staff guidance on project possibilities, including a budget and a full risk assessment. Their project will be finalised in an individual staff-student meeting. The New Zealand field trip takes place in early December, and lasts for two weeks. There is a guided tour of several glaciated parts of the Mt Cook National Park, and student's research will be in the Matukituki valley, near Wanaka, Mt Aspiring National Park. Full costs, and travel and accommodation details are given on the module website. Students will collect field data in groups but will be individually responsible for processing, interpreting and presenting that data themselves. Many different aspects of both past and contemporary physical geography phenomena can be investigated and advice towards topical research and staff research interests will be given.In semester two, students are required to give an oral presentation on their project. Additionally, a 3,000 word report will be produced. All student's data and reports will be available via the online Virtual Field Course for subsequent students and interested persons to view.

Objectives

To enable students to:
1. critically evaluate and synthesise physical geography literature;
2. critically evaluate research methods and results in physical geography;
3. write a concise research proposal that aims to effectively contribute to the literature through field data collection and analyses;
4. design and undertake field data collection in an intellectually challenging field environment;
5. practically test and apply contemporary skills and theories in physical geography;
6. increase understanding through active participation;
7. present scientific results in a professionally competent manner: a) as an oral presentation and b) in the style of an academic paper.

Skills outcomes
A Knowledge and Understanding
A1 The dynamic nature of geographical thought and practice and the inter-relationships between the discipline and the physical and natural sciences, the social sciences and humanities
A2 The diversity of global environments and the operation of, and inter-relationships between physical and biological systems over a wide range of spatial and temporal scales
A3 Patterns and processes of environmental change and their inter-relationships with human activities
A9 The theory and application of quantitative, visualisation and other spatial techniques across a wide range of geographical contexts
A10 The contribution of geography to development of environmental, political, economic and cultural agendas, policies and practices
B Cognitive skills
B1 Abstraction and synthesis of information from a variety of sources
B2 Assessment and critical evaluation of the merits of contrasting theories, explanations, policies
B3 Critical analysis and interpretation of data and text
B4 Developing reasoned arguments
B5 Solving problems and making reasoned decisions
C Practical/professional skills
C1 Plan, design, execute and report geographical research both individually and as part of a team
C2 Undertake effective laboratory and field work (with due regard for safety and risk assessment)
C3 Employ a variety of technical and laboratory-based methods for the analysis and presentation of spatial and environmental information (e.g. GIS, water chemistry, etc)
C4 Collect, interpret and synthesise different types of quantitative and qualitative geographical data
D Key skills
D1 Learn in familiar and unfamiliar situations
D2 Communicate effectively (in writing, verbally and through graphical presentations)
D3 Apply numerical and computational skills to geographical information
D4 Use information technology effectively (including use of spreadsheet, database and word processing programmes; Internet and e-mail)
D5 Identify, retrieve, sort and exchange geographical information using a wide range of sources
D6 Work as part of a team and to recognise and respect the viewpoints of others
D7 Manage time and organise work effectively


Syllabus

- Introduction and briefing lecture (week 2)
- Research proposal progress meeting (week 5, 0.5 hours)
- Research proposal preparation, and submission (week 6)
- One to one meeting (week 8, 0.5 hours)
- Field course (week 11 - early December, for 2 weeks)
- Results and analysis briefing lecture (January)
- Presentations (12min oral presentation) (week 15)
- Report submission (electronic submission) (week 18)

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Fieldwork108.0080.00
Lecture21.002.00
Seminar16.006.00
Tutorial20.501.00
Private study hours111.00
Total Contact hours89.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)200.00

Private study

- Private study will comprise 21 hours formulating a research proposal, and 90 hours of analysis of results, and oral and written assessment preparation.
- The oral presentation will be presented at seminar, and the written report will reviewed and submitted as part of the assessment (see below).

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

- Feedback on research proposal and one to one meeting (categorised as tutorials above)
- Fieldwork supervision. This is assessed on the basis of contributions to fieldwork, fieldnotes, aptitude and attitude during group work
- Small group discussions whilst in the field
- Feedback on draft report

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
Essay3,000 word report in the style of an academic journal paper.40.00
FieldworkYou will be assessed on your field notebook as well as your field work skills!45.00
Research Proposal1000 words equiv. but 4 sides of A4 max.15.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 09/05/2017

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