Field Skills II for Geology, Physical Geography and Palaeoenvironments

Description

This year 2 module includes two residential field courses that provide core training in field methods, observations, recording and interpretation to prepare students for independent field projects.

At the start of Semester 1 students will complete a 6 day trip to the Assynt district of NW Scotland studying the interface between geology and geomorphology.

This will have an emphasis on characterising the glacial and periglacial geomorphological features that allow changes in past climates through the Quaternary to be elucidated.

Assessment will be a combination of evening work and a summary report submitted after the trip.

At the end of Semester 2 students will complete an 8 day field course in SW England. The aims are to provide field experience and field technique training to reinforce and build on a range of core class-based courses, and to provide training in specific skills that are essential for successful completion of Year 3 independent projects.

Background material and preparation will be covered in several classroom sessions during Semester 2.

Summative assessment is entirely through course work, including several evening exercises on the trip itself and a regional synthesis. Formative assessment is also provided on the trip itself.

Delivery

  • 2 hours Tutorial
  • 14 days fieldwork

Assessment

Formative (not counting towards module mark)

  • Assynt field notebooks, maps, group poster presentations are assessed on the trip and feedback provided to enable students to improve their work during the trip. A nominal score out of 10 will be provided by staff to allow students to assess their performance before summative assessments are made
  • SW England - Small group (max 4) staff-led and peer review sessions on improving field note-taking skills (3 evening sessions)

Summative (counting towards module mark)

  • Assynt (50% of Module) based on post field-work report (2,500 words + 5 figures)
  • SW England (50% of module) based on 4 evening assignments on field trip itself and 1 post-trip synthesis)

Key skills

  • Geomorphological mapping
  • Reconstructing past environments
  • Geological mapping
  • Sedimentary logging
  • Structural geology measurements and analysis
  • Developing storyboard presentations
  • Field report construction