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2007/08 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
GEOG3012 New Zealand Research Project
20 creditsClass Size: 24
Module manager: Jonathan Carrivick
Email: j.l.carrivick@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2007/08
Pre-requisites
| GEOG2500 | Geographical Science |
| GEOG2940 | Fundamentals of Geomorphology |
This module is not approved as an Elective
Module summary
The New Zealand field trip is part of a level 3 module. However, at the end of Level 2, students are required to complete a one-page preliminary research proposal in order to be accepted onto the course. At the start of Level 3, they will undertake a Virtual Field Course briefing and introduction. They must also produce a research proposal, including a budget and a full risk assessment, and defend this at an 'interview'. The New Zealand fieldtrip normally takes place in early December, and lasts for two weeks. Travel and accommodation details are given on the website. Students will collect field data in groups but will be individually responsible for processing, interpreting and presenting those data themselves. Many different aspects of both past and contemporary physical geography phenomena can be investigated and advice regarding topical research and staff research interests will be given.In semester two, students are required to give an oral presentation, at a 'School of Geography Level 3 conference'. Additionally, the 3000 word final report will take the format of an academic paper or short communication, and will be included within a bound 'proceedings' volume. 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 contribute effectively to the literature through field data collection and analyses.
4. Design and undertake field data collection in an intellectually challenging field environment.
5. Test and apply practically contemporary skills and theories in physical geography.
6. Increase understanding through active participation (kinaesthetic approaches that extend visual and / or auditory reception)
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)
Interview (week 8, 0.5 hours)
Field course - Two weeks: starting in week 11
Results and analysis briefing lecture (January)
Conference (12min oral presentation) (week 15)
Scientific paper submission (electronic submission) (week 18)
Peer review of scientific paper (week 19)
Scientific paper re-submission with 'reply to reviewers' (week 21)
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Fieldwork | 10 | 7.00 | 70.00 |
| Lecture | 2 | 1.00 | 2.00 |
| Seminar | 1 | 6.00 | 6.00 |
| Tutorial | 2 | 0.50 | 1.00 |
| Private study hours | 121.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 79.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200.00 | ||
Private study
Private study will comprise 21 hours formulating a research proposal, and 100 hours of analysis of results, and oral and written paper preparation. The oral paper will be presented at a in-house conference (categorised as a seminar above), and the academic paper will reviewed and submitted as part of the assessment (see below).Opportunities for Formative Feedback
Feedback on research proposal and interview (categorised as tutorials above)Fieldwork supervision
Small group discussions whilst in the field
Feedback on draft paper
Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Written Work | Academic style paper (3000 words) | 50.00 |
| Oral Presentation | Conference Seminar | 10.00 |
| Fieldwork | Fieldwork exercises | 20.00 |
| Written Work | Prliminary resarch proposal | 5.00 |
| Written Work | Research proposal | 15.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100.00 | |
Note preliminary interest (proposal) must be addressed at level 2, semester 2 in order to book flights early in level 3, semester 1. It acts as a screening process to identify unsuitable students early on.
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 12/02/2008
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