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2020/21 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

SOEE3790 Advanced Environmental Science Field and Research Skills

20 creditsClass Size: 30

Module manager: Dr Ruza Ivanovic
Email: r.ivanovic@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2020/21

This module is mutually exclusive with

SOEE3291Atmospheric Sci Field Skills
SOEE3801Fieldwork and tutorials 3
SOEE5090MAdvanced Environmental Science Field and Research Skills

Module replaces

Module replaces SOEE2540

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module will train students in advanced practical environmental field skills and their expert application in research and industry. It involves both a residential field course and a component of independent research that allows the students to examine the observations made in the field in further depth, integrate their findings with current state of the art knowledge, and produce verbal and written reports on their work. The residential field course will take place over 6 and a half days and will conclude with a capstone team research project. Out of the field, students will attend a series of tutorials to support the design of their independent research projects on a topic of their choice, combining their primary data (collected during the field trip) with published literature in order to test scientific hypothesis and draw original conclusions.

Objectives

On completion of this module, students will be familiar with research techniques used in meteorology, atmospheric physics, chemistry, biodiversity and ecology. Measurement techniques will have been practiced extensively in the field. A wide variety of in situ and remote sensing approaches will have been used to gather physical and chemical data. Data collected in the field will have been analysed using a variety of computer-based and analogue methods. Data will have been interpreted in order to draw conclusions concerning the natural structure of the atmosphere, both chemically and physically, and ecological diversity. The expert, in-field training will culminate in one group and one independent research project. Existing literature will be interrogated to integrate project findings with current state of the art knowledge.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students will be able to:

1. Independently research, synthesise and critically analyse existing literature
2. Apply expert practical skills and knowledge to measure environmental variables using research- and industry-standard instrumentation, and evaluate implicit error/uncertainty within those measurements
3. Interrogate primary data to draw robust conclusions and integrate findings with existing state of the art knowledge
4. Create clear oral and written presentations, including bespoke graphics, to communicate research findings

Skills outcomes
The module places considerable emphasis on:
- analysing, synthesising and summarising information critically, including prior research;
- planning, conducting and reporting on investigations, including the use of secondary data;
- collecting, recording and analysing data using appropriate research- and industry-standard techniques in the field;
- undertaking field investigations in a responsible and safe manner, paying due attention to risk assessment, rights of access, relevant health and safety regulations, and sensitivity to the impact of investigations on the environment and stakeholders;
- appreciating issues of sample selection, accuracy, precision and uncertainty during collecting, recording and analysis of data in the field;
- preparing, processing, interpreting and presenting data, using appropriate qualitative and quantitative techniques and packages.
- collecting and integrating several lines of evidence to formulate and test hypotheses;
- integrating current state of the art knowledge with conclusions drawn from primary data.

The module places moderate emphasis on:
- communicating appropriately to a variety of audiences in written, verbal and graphical form;
- using the Internet critically as a source of information and access point for online atmospheric models;
- identifying individual and collective goals and responsibilities and performing in a manner appropriate to these roles;
- Managing a series of tasks as a team and working within a prescribed timeframe; - recognising and respecting the views and opinions of other team members.

The module places some emphasis on:;
- recognising the moral and ethical issues of investigations and appreciating the need for professional codes of conduct;
- receiving and responding to a variety of information sources (eg textual numerical, verbal, graphical);
- solving numerical problems using computer and non-computer based techniques; - recognising and using subject-specific theories, paradigms, concepts and principles;
- developing an adaptable and flexible approach to study and work.


Syllabus

This module involves a residential fieldcourse. Students will study a selection of atmospheric and ecological science topics taken from :

1. Practical weather forecasting using synoptic charts and other data.
2. Profiling of the atmosphere using radiosondes and surface measurements to characterise the stability of the atmosphere and state of the boundary layer.
3. Conducting in-situ and simulated experiments to examine energy balance processes and the carbon cycle.
4. Profiling local ecology and links to environmental stressors.

Interpretation and inter-connection of the above activities will be achieved through collection of synoptic meteorological and ecological data from the internet.

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Tutorials42.008.00
Fieldwork147.0047.00
Private study hours145.00
Total Contact hours55.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)200.00

Private study

145 hours of self-directed study, background reading, data analysis, preparing individual oral presentation and individual written report.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

The in-field and in-class instruction during the residential fieldtrip, ongoing assessments and follow-on tutorials will be used to gauge progress and will provide students with feedback useful for subsequent exercises. Detailed feedback on all assessed work will be provided by the team of instructors during the residential fieldtrip (including on the formatively assessed group oral presentation, assessment 1, with direct relevance for the subsequent summative assessments), and for the summative assessments (individual oral presentation and written report, assessments 2 and 3, respectively). Students will also have the chance to give and receive peer-to-peer feedback on their research plans, oral presentations and ongoing work during the tutorials. Attendance will be monitored to ensure engagement by students.

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
PresentationFormative Group presentation in the field: oral presentation of final group results from research project0.00
Oral PresentationIndividual presentation in tutorial. Summative: Oral presentation of preliminary results from literature review and plans for analysis25.00
ReportFinal written report on individual project up to 4,000 words75.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)100.00

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

Reading list

There is no reading list for this module

Last updated: 10/08/2020 08:46:35

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