Unit information: Study and Field Skills for Physical Geographers (Bristol) in 2021/22

Unit name	Study and Field Skills for Physical Geographers (Bristol)
Unit code	GEOG20017
Credit points	20
Level of study	I/5
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director	Dr. Ros Death
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	GEOG10002 Geographical History, Thought and Practices, GEOG10003 Key Concepts in Human and Physical Geography, and GEOG10004 Introduction to Quantitative Geography
Co-requisites	GEOG20011 Research Methods in Physical Geography
School/department	School of Geographical Sciences
Faculty	Faculty of Science

Description including Unit Aims

This field-based unit builds on the field and laboratory-based training the students will have received in GEOG20011 and help prepare them to design, undertake and write up an effective physical geography dissertation project in their final year.

The aims of the unit are to:

• Develop students’ skills in physical geography research
• Provide an opportunity to undertake a range of research methods for collecting samples and analyses in the field
• Synthesise and analyse diverse environmental datasets from both primary and secondary sources
• Write up, illustrate and interpret results in an integrated manner and with reference to appropriate literature

Intended Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will:

1. Have had an opportunity to put their learning and technical experience into practice in a field setting;
2. Be able to plan and undertake independent field and research work;
3. Be able to present the results of such studies in written form and illustrate them appropriately.

The following transferable skills are developed in this Unit:

• Written communication
• Team work
• Numeracy
• Computer literacy
• Problem solving
• Analytical skills
• Graphics

Teaching Information

Briefing lecture (1 hour), non-residential field work (including briefings in the field), lab/field work (36 hours), drop-in session (3 hours)

Assessment Information

Percentage of the unit that is coursework: 100%

Fieldwork report (100%).

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. GEOG20017).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.