2008/09 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
GEOG2500 Geographical Science: Method and the Environment
20 creditsClass Size: 100
Module manager: Dr Chris Keylock
Email: C.Keylock@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2008/09
Pre-requisites
| GEOG1230 | Analytical Skills in Geography |
This module is not approved as an Elective
Objectives
By the end of this module, students who have engaged well with the syllabus should have:1. An awareness of the historical basis of Physical Geography;
2. Be familiar with basic principles of scientific method and underpinning philosophical complexities;
3. An awareness of different approaches to undertaking geographic scholarship;
4. An ability to develop their own, independent proposal for a piece of geographic scholarship;
5. The ability to use simple and multivariate statistical analyses, time series analysis and image processing methods in their research.
6. Gained an introductory understanding to computer programming.
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
A9 The theory and application of quantitative, visualisation and other spatial techniques across a wide range of geographical contexts
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
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)
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)
D7 Manage time and organise work effectively
Syllabus
(1) Lecture: Introduction, aims and objectives. Critical and philosophical reasoning in science. The mock dissertation proposal
Hand out class numeracy formative test (analysed on-line).
(2) Lecture: Scientific method and the environment: Development of physical geography in the twentieth century.
Seminar: Working through the numeracy test
(3) Lecture: Scientific method and the environment: Philosophical approaches to scientific methodology
(4) Seminar: Discussion of readings from lectures in weeks 1, 2 & 3
(5) Lecture: Approaches to environmental research: 1. Laboratory research and departmental laboratory facilities.
(6) Lecture: Approaches to environmental research: 2. Fieldwork.
(7) Lecture: Approaches to environmental research: 2. Numerical modelling.
(8) Seminar: Mock dissertation proposals
(9) Lecture: Writing university examination essays
(10) Lecture: Analysing environmental data: 1. Review
(11) Seminar: Reviewing environmental data analysis.
Practical: Analysing environmental data.
(12) Lecture: Analysing environmental data: 2. Multivariate methods
(13) Lecture: Analysing environmental data: 3. Multivariate methods contd.
Practical: Multivariate methods.
(14) Lecture: Analysing environmental data: 4. Time-series analysis
Practical: Time-series analysis.
(15) Lecture Analysing environmental data: 5. Automating analysis
Practical: Automating analysis
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Class tests, exams and assessment | 2 | 1.00 | 2.00 |
| Lecture | 12 | 1.00 | 12.00 |
| Practical | 4 | 2.00 | 8.00 |
| Seminar | 4 | 1.00 | 4.00 |
| Independent online learning hours | 2.00 | ||
| Private study hours | 172.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 26.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200.00 | ||
Private study
30 hours working through the three assessed practicals44 hours reading, developing and writing the mock research proposal
100 hours reading and revising in preparation for the examinations
2 hours working through the on-line numeracy test
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
The numeracy test as well as seminars (where attendance will be recorded and participation observed).Through office hours and informal communication in practicals as well as the assessment of the mock dissertation proposals and the first examination at the end of semester 1.
Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Project | Mock Dissertation proposal - 750 words | 20.00 |
| Computer Exercise | 3 assessed practicals with 1 unassessed. Practicals will be set in Semester 2 weeks 4, 5 and 6 and will be due in Semester 2 weeks 6, 8 and 10. | 30.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 50.00 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Exams
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
| Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) | 1 hr 00 mins | 25.00 |
| Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) | 1 hr 00 mins | 25.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 50.00 | |
If a student misses an exam or fails the module overall, it is proposed that a single, combined exam paper will be used in the August resit paper. For students who failed the course overall, the mark on this will be combined with the original marks on practicals passed and the retake marks for practicals failed.
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 18/03/2009
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- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
- Undergraduate programme catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
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