Undergraduate Course: Geography Fieldwork: Foundations (Physical) (GEGR09009)
Course Outline
| School | School of Geosciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 9 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
| Summary | The Geography Field course provides experience and training via the undertaking of project work in a variety of field settings. Emphasis is placed on the acquisition of research and practical skills necessary to undertake field-based research.
***PLEASE NOTE FIELD COURSE LOCATIONS MAY CHANGE FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS, INCLUDING SECURITY RISKS, INCREASED COSTS OR INABILITY TO ACCESS FIELD LOCATIONS. ANY CHANGES TO THE MAIN DESTINATION OF THE FIELD TRIP WILL BE ANNOUNCED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE*** |
| Course description |
The course has two broad aims that are reflected in its structure. You will begin by learning a variety of field techniques. This part of the course is designed to give you the basic skills to measure important variables in the field. Students enjoy this part of the course as it provides practical hands-on skills.
In the second part of the course, we ask you to perform a short independent project using your new field skills. Most students find this challenging, but ultimately very rewarding. It is not an easy process to formulate research questions and hypotheses and then test them with observations. We will not tell you what to do, but we will of course help you in the field, listen to your questions, give technical help, and provide helpful hints as to how to best proceed and suggest areas where you could go to do your research.
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Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2019/20, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
100
(
Fieldwork Hours 50,
Feedback/Feedforward Hours 2,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
46 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Assessment is wholly based on the submission of a 2,000 word individual research report.
Deadline: Week 4 |
| Feedback |
Students are given formative feedback throughout the fieldcourse. Questions will be answered informally by staff and demonstrators in the field and in the laboratories. Students have to come up with a project plan for their two day project and feedback will be given to help improve this. The students have to present their initial findings at a mini conference on the last day of the fieldtrip and formative feedback by both staff/demonstrators and student peers is given. All student notebooks are checked and written formative feedback is given to the students on their return to Edinburgh. Students are encouraged to ask staff for help and advice as they write up their individual assignments and drop in session will timetabled. Finally, written summative feedback will be provided on the marked individual reports. Students are encouraged to discuss this feedback with staff individually or at the feedback session in January. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- develop a broad, integrated understanding and knowledge of the scope of geography fieldwork
- practise the skills typically used in fieldwork, some of which are relatively specialised
- develop skills by problem-solving, data collection, analysis and interpretation so that students are confident evaluating numerical and graphical data and can draw on a range of courses before making judgements
- gain an appreciation of the strengths and weaknesses of field techniques employed
- develop communication so students are confident making informal and formal presentations on mainstream topics
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Reading List
| Recommended preliminary reading is supplied to students in March in a handout, which is also available on Learn. Detailed reading will depend on the type of projects students choose to take on the fieldtrip. |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | GEGR09009 |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Anthony Newton
Tel: (0131 6)50 2546
Email: |
Course secretary | Miss Carry Arnold
Tel: (0131 6)50 9847
Email: |
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