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2020/21 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

SOEE3073 Independent Field Projects (GS)

40 creditsClass Size: 75

Module manager: Dr Vernon Manville
Email: V.R.Manville@leeds.ac.uk

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

Year running 2020/21

Pre-requisite qualifications

Satisfactory completion of levels 1 and 2. Students undertaking a field-based mapping project must have completed SOEE2180 or SOEE2096. If students are undertaking a laboratory-based project SOEE3040, 3560, 3660 or 3720 will need to be completed.

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module encompasses the independent mapping fieldwork/desk-top research and dissertation write-up for BSc level students. Students spend a nominal 6-week period engaged in independent fieldwork (or in certain circumstances on a desk-top study) in small groups with limited staff supervision, before writing up their results in the form of a scientific journal-type paper accompanied by a fair-copy map prepared in ArcGIS.

Objectives

This module is designed to:
- Develop students' ability to complete a period of independent field observational research (in exceptional circumstances a laboratory/desk-top research project may be allowed);
- Write a substantial report on the basis of the student's own observations;
- Test students' powers of scientific observation, data collection, synthesis, interpretation and presentation;
- Develop self-motivation and an ability to work to a deadline.

Covid-19 disclaimer: this module has been severely impacted by the restrictions placed on travel and residential field classes by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. As a consequence of this a number of field classes have been cancelled, rescheduled, or replaced with desk-top exercises. While every effort is being made to ensure that the impacts on your degree programme and its learning outcomes are minimised, our first priority remains the health and well-being of our students and staff, such that some planned activities may have to be cancelled or replaced with alternatives at short notice.

Syllabus

The module comprises an independent field-based project designed in collaboration with the project supervisor, who will also provide early field supervision, advice on logistics and strict recommendations on field safety. A series of tutorials will be held in support of data analysis, interpretation and report preparation. Laboratory/desktop-based research options are available to students who have mitigating or special circumstances and are unable to undertake fieldwork. Such projects are likely to have amended deadlines.

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Fieldwork357.50262.50
Tutorial51.005.00
Private study hours132.50
Total Contact hours267.50
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)400.00

Private study

Project write up: 127.5 hours
Tutorial work: 5 hours

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Academic supervision during the supervisor's field visit and during level 3 semester 1 tutorials.

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
ProjectArcGIS map (with geological key, stratigraphic column, and cross-sections etc.) or poster as appropriate. Project Report (max 7,500 words). Submitted at the end of the pre-Easter teaching period.40.00
PortfolioRepresenting all field-materials (notebooks, field slips, cross-sections, stereonets, logs, etc.) OR all equivalent laboratory-based materials (notebooks, data and metadata etc.). Submitted at the end of the S1 teaching period.60.00
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: 05/11/2020 14:00:37

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