GG2508: SKILLS AND TECHNIQUES IN GEOSCIENCES (2014-2015)

The course introduces key research skills for the geosciences, both scientific and social scientific, and includes both lecture and practical components. Students will learn how to conduct investigations in their chosen field of study effectively and safely. Topics considered include concepts underpinning geosciences research, and basic methods of data gathering, analysis and presentation (such as questionnaire design, keeping of a field notebook, basic field skills, some statistical training, report writing). The core element of the course is a residential fieldtrip in the Easter vacation. This enables students to employ the skills and techniques learned in lectures and workgroup sessions to conduct original research into phenomena/issues covered elsewhere in the suite of Level 1 and 2 courses in Geography & Environment.

This course involves an Easter field trip. Students are advised not to make arrangements for the vacation until details of the trips are confirmed. Please note the field course involves a student financial contribution.

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

View GG2508 Timetable

More Information about Week Numbers

1st Attempt: Coursework (100%): 1. Group assessment (30%) comprising:  a) pre-trip presentation: 15%, and b) end-of-trip presentation: 15%
2. Individual assessment (70%) comprising: a) trip report, written up as a short research paper (~2,500 words) 50% and b) practical/fieldwork portfolio 20% - students must complete a series of short tasks to demonstrate i) their  understanding of various skills and techniques taught, and ii) how their research project develops.

Students work in groups, supported by staff, to prepare their field trip projects. Students are expected to keep a diary/notebook that records the progress of their project. Pre-trip and end-of-trip presentations provide opportunities for formative feedback that can be used to improve students' performance at the next task/stage of assessment.

Feedback (verbal and/or written) on students' pre-trip presentation before the field trip provides opportunities to adjust the proposed research design. Feedback (verbal and/or written) on students' end-of-trip presentation provides opportunities to adjust the processing and write-up of data. Students receive individual written feedback on their project report. We also provide a group debrief that identifies strengths and weaknesses and looks ahead to the additional demands of Level 3 study.

None.