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GEOG0017 Physical Geography Field Research is normally based around a residential field class supported by preparatory and follow-up lectures / practicals. The module has several objectives. At the broadest level we hope students will gain an appreciation of the complexity and dynamic nature of the physical environment through direct contact, field monitoring / surveying, laboratory and computer-based analysis. Students’ understanding of environmental processes will improve through the investigations they carry out. The module will develop skills in research design, data acquisition and analysis, oral presentation and writing up of academic research. It also makes links to the Department’s other second year physical geography modules (see pre-requisites). Project-specific training will be provided in a range of field techniques, field and laboratory equipment as well as computer-based analytical approaches. At the end of the module students will have designed, implemented and presented (both orally and in written-form) the results of a research project involving field-based data collection as well as subsequent laboratory and computer-based analysis.

Teaching Methods

The module is largely field based with supporting lectures / practicals / seminars before the field class that include an introduction to the field projects, mapping using GIS and numerical analysis. Students also receive lecture-based guidance during the field class on presenting their data, as well as designing and giving scientific presentations.

During the field class students work in small groups on one project. Projects can be broadly described as hydrological, geomorphological or ecological in nature. The projects are usually undertaken in groups of 3-6 students (depending upon the number of students registered for the module). Although project areas are defined by academic staff, students are responsible for the finalisation of an effective research design and for planning their activities during the field class. This work is done through discussions with academic staff and group collaboration prior to the field class. Overall, this work is designed to provide develop the following key areas:

• Cognitive Skills: Data analysis, critical thinking, hypothesis testing, complex problem solving.
• Specialist Skills: Depending upon the project this includes research design, fieldwork and laboratory skills including the use of a range of field and laboratory equipment, computer-based analysis including the use of GIS, numerical and analytical modelling and multivariate statistics.
• Personal Skills: Group work, oral presentations, report writing, time management.

Following the field class, guidance is provided on the course paper in a further lecture. A total of three seminars before / after the field class focus on specific issues and are designed to increase preparedness for the field class and to develop approaches for presenting scientific data upon return to ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº. Students are also strongly encouraged to make use of staff academic support and feedback hours to discuss their projects.

The Field Class

The field class normally takes place during the Reading Week of the autumn term (normally between the Saturday immediately before Reading Week until the Thursday of Reading Week). The field class is normally based in and around two protected areas, s’Albufereta Natural Reserve and s'Albufera Natural Park, in Northeast Mallorca. These sites provide a range of exciting environments with the work being supported by Reserve / Park staff with whom ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº Geography has a long-established relationship. Student projects generate valuable data which, along with copies of course papers, are routinely provided to the Reserve / Park authorities. Whilst the Department will, as far as possible, run the field class as normal, we may need to modify these plans in accordance with any developments in the international health and travel situation. This could conceivably include running the field class at a different time or to a different location. The Department will endeavour to communicate any changes to students as soon a practically possible.

Planning for the field class, including booking flights, accommodation, and local transport, arranging research permits and recruiting post-graduate demonstrators, takes place over the summer. Students wanting to take this module must, therefore, include it in their Portico module selections in April / May. It will not be possible to select GEOG0017 at a later date. In organising the field class, the Department will require information from students including passport details as well as medical and emergency contact information. Students who sign up for the module in April / May will be contacted via their ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº email address towards / just after then end of the summer term with a request for this information and to confirm their participation. The Department will require prompt replies to this request for information and the Email will specify a deadline for its submission. After this deadline, the Department will proceed with arranging the field class and will, therefore, need to permanently remove students from the module if they have not provided the required information.

Links to other modules / co-requisites.

GEOG0017 Physical Geography Field Research is designed for students with interests in physical and environmental geography. The module makes links to the Department's other second year physical geography modules and students should therefore be taking at least two (and preferably more) of these modules in their second year. The normal expectation is that they intend to undertake a physical geography dissertation in the third year. Students who apply for GEOG0017 without appropriate supporting courses will be contacted to request that they revise their module choices. The logistics of the field class are such that the module can support up to 35 students. If the module is oversubscribed, the Department will review students’ first year marks, in particular those for GEOG0005 Understanding our Plant and GEOG008ÌýEnvironmental Change but also GEOG0013 Geography in the Field 1 and GEOG0014 Geography in the Field 2, to select students who have demonstrated strengths and aptitude for physical geography. Current Departmental policy is that in normal circumstances field classes will run subject to a minimum enrolment of 10 students

The primary career skills (taken from the ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº Geography Transferable Skill Log) which students will acquire from this module include:

• Critical thinking: ability to assess data and ideas.
• Team working.
• Interpersonal skills.
• Communication: academic writing.
• Communication: verbal.
• Presentation skills.
• Time management: organisation and planning of work.
• Problem-solving.
• Dealing with conflicts / negotiations within a professional environment.
• Adaptability: ability to work under pressure.
• General ICT competence – in particular use of Office (principally Excel / Powerpoint).
• Statistical analysis – approaches dependent upon projects.
• Coding – in particular the use of Matlab.
• GIS.
• Numerical modelling – approaches dependent upon projects.
• Field work – a range of techniques / equipment dependent upon projects.
• Laboratory work – a range of techniques / equipment dependent upon projects.