2023/24 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

GEOG2017 Mallorca Field Class

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 2023/24

This module is mutually exclusive with

GEOG2016	European Alps Field Class
GEOG2018	Portugal Field Class

Module replaces

GEOG2024 Physical Geography Field Class

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 type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Fieldwork	7	7.00	49.00
Lecture	1	1.00	1.00
Private study hours			50.00
Total Contact hours			50.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			100.00

Private study

- Research for field course before the field course (23 hours)
- Completion of field note 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 type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Presentation	15 minutes	25.00
Written Work	Field notebook	25.00
Group Project	2,500 words	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Resit exercises for group report and group presentation will take the forms of individual reports and presentations, respectively, when back in Leeds, based on secondary data if necessary. Resit exercise for notebook exercise will take the form of a short Google Maps project.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 28/04/2023 14:56:05

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