2023/24 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

GEOG2095 Skills for Physical Geographers

40 creditsClass Size: 100

Module manager: Julie Peacock
Email: J.Peacock@leeds.ac.uk

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

Year running 2023/24

Pre-requisites

GEOG1081

Data analysis and physical geography tutorials

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

High levels of literacy (critical writing skills), numeracy (statistics and modelling), and applied graphicacy (graphing and mapping of data) are the hallmark of a good geography graduate from a world top 100 university. In addition, competency in research design, fieldwork, data collection, and specialist geographical analysis such as GIS and remote sensing, are expected of a geography graduate. This module aims to ensure all our graduates have these skills and that they know how and where/when to apply them in a variety of real-world situations.

Objectives

On completion of this module, students will have gained:
i. A detailed knowledge and understanding of how to design and implement research projects in physical geography.
ii. A good level of literacy (critical writing skills), numeracy (statistics), and applied graphicacy (graphing and mapping of data).
iii. Detailed knowledge and understanding of the practical use and application of IT (statistical, GIS and remote sensing packages) in physical geography.
iv. Practical field skills of observation, measurement, and data collection in physical geography.

Learning outcomes
Students successfully completing the module will be able to design and implement their own research project (e.g., dissertation) utilising a broad range of skills from GIS and remote sensing through to field data collection and analysis (statistics). Students will be able to analyse complex datasets and communicate their results effectively using maps, images, graphs and statistics.

Skills outcomes
Skills outcomes
GIS, remote sensing, and statistics.
Research design and data collection skills including fieldwork.
Understanding of accuracy, precision, and calibration when assessing data quality.
Study and communication skills.

Syllabus

The module will consist of four integrated strands:
S1. GIS (ArcGIS) and remote sensing (Erdas Imagine) together with wider numeracy skills.
S2. Statistics (R) and numerical skills (R).
S3. Tutorials supporting the other strands and leading on to dissertation design.
S4. Small research project. The project will be based on two days of field work. Students will work in small groups, with each group responsible for posing and addressing one or more research questions, the latter through the collection and analysis of field data

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Fieldwork	2	8.00	16.00
Lecture	21	1.00	21.00
Practical	15	2.00	30.00
Seminar	4	1.00	4.00
Tutorial	11	1.00	11.00
Private study hours			318.00
Total Contact hours			82.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			400.00

Private study

The lectures will include follow-on reading material that students will be expected to complete in preparation for subsequent lectures and practical classes. Reading of research papers, and preparation of reviews and presentations will be required for the tutorials. Much of the module is based around practical application of skills. In addition to timetabled practical classes, students will be expected to complete class work and prepare for subsequent practical classes in private study time.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Student progress will be monitored via tutorial and practical class performance. Fieldwork provides an opportunity to observe students working together in, for many, unfamiliar surroundings.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Literature Review	1 x 3000 words	25.00
Presentation	Group presentation on field project proposal (pass to progress)	0.00
Report	Group field report (3000 words)	30.00
Report	GIS report	15.00
Report	Remote sensing report	15.00
Report	Statistics report	15.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Re-sit information: If students do not attend the practical/computer exercises they will be set an essay by way of re-sit. If they do attend, but fail or do not submit the coursework, they will be allowed to re-sit (the practical/computer exercises). The same rationale applies to the field study report.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

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

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