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2019/20 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

GEOG2007 The Dynamic Environment of Mallorca

10 creditsClass Size: 35

Module manager: Dr Paul Morris
Email: p.j.morris@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2019/20

This module is mutually exclusive with

GEOG2005The dynamic environment of the CĂ©vennes National Park (Massi
GEOG2006The dynamic environment of the European Alps
GEOG2008The dynamic environment of the Western Algarve

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module introduces students to field methods in physical geography, focusing on research issues specific to the montane and Mediterranean environments in southern Europe and is centred on a week-long field trip to Mallorca during the Easter vacation. Preparatory reading and a lecture introduce the field area and scientific topics. During the first few days of the field trip, students will be introduced to the locale and to a range of different fieldwork skills. These skills will then be put into practice by working in small groups on self-selected projects. The group will plan their research, collect field measurements, analyse and interpret them, and each student will write an individual report on the results on their return.

Objectives

On completion of this module students will have acquired:
1. an understanding of how to plan, collect, analyse and interpret field measurements of environmental phenomena for research in physical geography;
2. knowledge of the geology, landscapes and climates represented in this region of southern Europe past and present, their impacts on (and interactions with) ecology, evolution, geomorphological and hydrological processes, and relevance to local issues of land management and conservation;
3. an understanding of how to carry out a project which fulfils a set of aims and objectives, and uses statistical and/or modelling methods learned in other modules.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should:
1. have developed an appreciation of the geology, soils, geomorphology, palaeoecology, ecology, climate, agriculture, economy and culture in a region characterised by distinctive climatic, geological and ecological gradients;
2. be able to plan research projects involving field measurements, analysis and interpretation;
3. have applied their theoretical knowledge and skills in physical geography and statistical analysis and be able to use these effectively for independent research.

Skills outcomes
On completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate knowledge and skills in planning, taking, analysing and interpreting field measurements for solving research problems in physical geography;
2. Be able to apply statistical and other methods to solving problems;
3. Be able to work together in small groups, negotiate and manage themselves to become an effective team focused on achieving specific goals with the resources and time available;
4. Be able to keep a record of where they have been, what they have done, what they have seen, and how this relates to the theories and methods which they have learned about in lectures, and appreciate the need to relate theory to field observations in order to develop a sound understanding of the landscape, its history, and the events and processes which shape it.


Syllabus

A. Field techniques:
1. Quaternary science (e.g. sediment description and interpretation, stratigraphy, identification of fossils, sea-level and climate change)
2. Geomorphology and Hydrology (e.g. analysis of karst, fluvial, soil and slope processes)
3. Ecology (e.g. vegetation survey, plant identification, autecology)
B. Example topics may include:
1. Quaternary sea-level changes
2. Karst geomorphology
3. Fluvial geomorphology
4. Mass wasting and slope processes
5. Vegetation succession
6. Soil development
7. Long-term perspectives on human impacts on an island ecosystem

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Fieldwork77.0049.00
Lecture11.001.00
Private study hours50.00
Total Contact hours50.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)100.00

Private study

- Research for field course before the field course (23 hours)
- Completion of field log book during the field class (5 hours)
- Research for individual field report (20 hours)
- Completion of group presentation during the field class (2 hours)

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Student progress is monitored by:
1. performance on the field course each day
2. field notebook (checked after first day and midway through the trip)
3. assessed work for the field course.

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
Presentation15 minutes25.00
Written WorkField notebook25.00
Group Project2500 words50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)100.00

Presentation assessed during field class (resit will take form of individual presentation when back in Leeds). Note book given formative feedback during the trip, and assessed when submitted with report (due on the last day of the trip).

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 23/09/2019

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