Postgraduate Course: Analysing the Environment Study Tour (PGGE11199)
Course Outline
| School | School of Geosciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Credits | 10 |
| Home subject area | Postgraduate Courses (School of GeoSciences) |
Other subject area | None |
| Course website |
None |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | Students MUST have passed: Analysing the Environment (PGGE11198) to be enrolled on this course.
The course represents the field study tours for the MSc in Environmental Protection, MSc in Soils and Sustainability, MSc in Food Security and the Management and the MSc in Ecosystem Services. The location which are confirmed annually include France, Italy or Scotland.
The course is only available with the agreement of your Programme Director/Personal Tutor and Course Organiser. This option is available to students with a proven record in environmental sampling and analysis. |
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
Students MUST have passed:
Analysing the Environment (PGGE11198)
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | Additional Programme Costs |
Course Delivery Information
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| Delivery period: 2014/15 Block 5 (Sem 2) and beyond, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
|
Learn enabled: Yes |
Quota: 40 |
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Web Timetable |
Web Timetable |
| Course Start Date |
20/04/2015 |
| Breakdown of Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
100
(
Fieldwork Hours 56,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
42 )
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| Additional Notes |
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| Breakdown of Assessment Methods (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Acquire a set of skills relating to problem-solving in the class-room and the field and utilise these skills in preparation for the dissertation;
2. Become familiar with the use of field equipment in the acquisition, management and presentation of environmental and geographic information. Students will be able to collate data into an appropriate format, manipulate and summarise for appropriate display, utilise appropriate analysis techniques, and critically interpret the results;
3. Understand the need to plan available resources to assist in the development and delivery of a research project;
4. Show extended project management and organisation skills with improved communication, management and interactive skills developed through group work;
5. Plan and write assignments, within the specified parameters and to a professional standard that includes the development of reasoned arguments, firmly grounded in the available literature
|
Assessment Information
| The study tour will be evaluated through presentation (40%) and submission of a short report (1500 words) and/or reflective log of the experiences gained in meeting the learning outcomes (60%). These will be tailored to the individual programme¿s needs and study tour objectives. |
Special Arrangements
| Students MUST have passed: Analysing the Environment (PGGE11198) to be enrolled on this course. |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
This course provides an insight and experience of skills sets identified as currently desirable to both the student cohort and employment sector concerned with the wider environment and its study. |
| Syllabus |
1. Field skills
2. Collecting and managing data,
3. Testing hypothesis,
4. Understanding and utilising resources,
5. Data analysis
6. Reporting.
|
| Transferable skills |
1. General understanding of tests pertinent to environmental assessment in a range of setting and environments, which includes a comprehension of resource accessibility and subsequent data statistical analysis.
2. Organisation skills to plan, execute and report on environmental investigation and management evaluations.
3. To participate in individual and team activities toward the completion of assignments and goals.
4. Critical thinking with regard to the evaluation of sources of information, the feasibility of management options and interpretation of outcomes.
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| Reading list |
There are no prescribed text books for the course, but the following would make for excellent associated reading.
Bigham, J. (2011) Succeeding with Your Master's Dissertation: A Step-by-Step Handbook, Open University Press.
Ennos, R. (2007). Statistical & data Handling Skills in Biology. Pearson Education.
Townend J. (2002) Practical Statistics for Environmental and Biological Scientists, Wiley.
Quinn, G & Keogh, M. (2002). Experimental Design and Data Analysis for Biologists. CUP.
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| Study Abroad |
Yes, location and dates to be confirmed for 2013/14 |
| Study Pattern |
Requirement for pre-tour briefing and preparatory lectures.
Study tour will use off campus resources, mixing field work study with class based evaluations. Most activities will involve group activities with individual reporting assessed as part of the assessment process.
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| Keywords | Data capture, handling, analysis and reporting, dissertation delivery, field skills, statistics. |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Casey Ryan
Tel: (0131 6)50 7722
Email: casey.ryan@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Ms Olivia Eadie
Tel: (0131 6)51 4657
Email: Olivia.Eadie@ed.ac.uk |
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