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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2015/2016

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Geosciences : Postgraduate Courses (School of GeoSciences)

Postgraduate Course: Analysing the Environment Study Tour (PGGE11199)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Geosciences CollegeCollege of Science and Engineering
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) AvailabilityNot available to visiting students
SCQF Credits10 ECTS Credits5
SummaryStudents 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.
Course description 1. Field skills
2. Collecting and managing data,
3. Testing hypothesis,
4. Understanding and utilising resources,
5. Data analysis
6. Reporting.

This course follows on from Analysing the Environment (PGGE11198) to provide practical exposure to current land management ideas and looks at how environmental science can inform management. Through a mixture of practicals, group work, field visits and discussion students will have an opportunity to learn about site-specific management issues, and to explore one aspect of these in depth by carrying out their own research.

The course allows students to put into practice the methods learnt in PGGE11198. As well as developing skills in qualitative and quantitative data analysis, the course provides an opportunity to build up your group work skills and capacity for professional self-reflection.

The course is aimed at those with an undergraduate in either social or natural science. It is introductory in the sense that it assumes no prior experience of either, but quickly moves to Master¿s level, so prior study in this field is essential.
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
Academic year 2015/16, Not available to visiting students (SS1) Quota:  50
Course Start Block 5 (Sem 2) and beyond
Timetable Timetable
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 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) 1.Individual field journal - to be kept in relation to the visits we make and people we speak to during the first part of the week (due in one week after the trip) (50%)

2.Group presentation - a group presentation on your research projects, to be given on the last morning of the fieldtrip, just before we return for Edinburgh (50%)

Feedback Not entered
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. display knowledge and experience of how to collect, record and organise qualitative and quantitave data
  2. select and then undertake the appropriate type of analysis for a given data set
  3. report their results and analysis in a professional manner appropriate for their audience
  4. be reflective about how they assimilate information from the literature, field visits and their own research
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.
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and 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.
Special Arrangements Students MUST have passed: Analysing the Environment (PGGE11198) to be enrolled on this course.
Study Abroad Yes, location and dates to be confirmed for 2015/16
KeywordsData capture,handling,analysis and reporting,dissertation delivery,field skills,statistics.
Contacts
Course organiserDr Aidan Keane
Tel: (01316)50 5094
Email: aidan.keane@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMr Edwin Cruden
Tel: (0131 6)50 2543
Email: Edwin.Cruden@ed.ac.uk
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