Undergraduate Course: Environmental Geography (GEGR08013)
Course Outline
| School | School of Geosciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 8 (Year 2 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This course consists of a series of tutorials and practical classes through the semester that train you in planning and undertaking a research project in environmental geography. You will then undertake the research project that you have planned on a residential field course to the Scottish Highlands, and be trained in the process of analysing and interpreting your data.
PLEASE NOTE THIS COURSE IS ONLY AVAILABLE TO 2ND YEAR STUDENTS ON THE GEOGRAPHY BSC DEGREE PROGRAMME. |
| Course description |
The overall aim of this course is to provide practical experience in planning and undertaking research in environmental geography, a branch of geography encompassing biogeography, sustainability and landscape change. The course will run as a series of classes throughout semester wherein students are trained through the process of field project planning, culminating in a week-long residential field trip to the Scottish Highlands during which students will undertake the research project they have planned in the preceding weeks. The emphasis throughout the course will be in delivering key academic and transferable skills training which students can tailor to an area of geography of their choice, and which will act as crucial preparation for undertaking independent research in Years 3 to 4 of a Geography degree. The curriculum will include:
1. Practical classes in core geographical skills including how to organise and analyse data using basic programming techniques.
2. Training in research design including researching literature and developing a research question
3. Practical field training in geographical equipment on the residential field trip
4. Experience in team working, including acquiring data and presenting the outcome to peers.
Together with "Research Skills in Physical Geography" for Year 2, this course represents part of a core BSc Geography pathway designed to provide a more integrated and logical progression in research skills training as preparation for Honours research in environmental and physical geography.
THIS COURSE IS ONLY AVAILABLE TO 2ND YEAR STUDENTS ON THE GEOGRAPHY BSC DEGREE PROGRAMME.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | THIS COURSE IS ONLY AVAILABLE TO 2ND YEAR STUDENTS ON THE GEOGRAPHY BSC DEGREE PROGRAMME. |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2024/25, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
|
Quota: 38 |
| Course Start |
Semester 2 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
196 )
|
| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| Additional Information (Assessment) |
100% Coursework:
Tutorial participation (10%)
2x practicals during semester (15% each)
Group presentation (10%) on research plans and progress
Project "portfolio" developed throughout the semester and field trip, handed in at end of fieldtrip. This will include a literature review, project plan, and some details of data collection and analysis (50%)
Students are required to pass the project portfolio and one of the practical assessments in order to pass the course.
Assessment deadlines:
Practical 1 (15%): Week 5
Practical 2 (15%): Week 9
Group Presentation (10%): during Easter field course (week commencing 15 April)
Project Portfolio (50%): late April
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| Feedback |
1. Formative feedback will be given throughout the semester by course staff during practical exercises, and via tutorial interactions forming part of the project-planning exercises throughout semester.
2. During the residential fieldtrip and project work there will be regular group feedback with academic staff, including via group presentations of research.
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| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- To develop a broad and integrated understanding of how to design and undertake a geographical research project
- To gain practical experience and awareness of some principal methods and specialised techniques of data collection and analysis used in geography, including GIS, statistical analysis and research data collection
- To develop critical awareness in developing data sampling strategies and managing data
- To synthesise and evaluate critically the ideas and issues identified during the process of researching and undertaking a geographical research project
- To gain transferable skills experience in independent and team working
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Reading List
A general useful text underpinning the purpose of the course:
Montello, D.R. and Sutton, P. (2013) An Introduction to Scientific Research Methods in Geography and Environmental Studies. SAGE: London.
Students will also be guided to appropriate academic papers guided by their choice of research project. |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
1) Gaining an awareness of all steps of project design
2) Experience in GIS and its application to project planning
3) Ability to work independently (practical work, undertaking independent background research)
4) Ability to work as part of a team
5) Presentation Skills
6) Critical thinking |
| Keywords | Research Project Design,Fieldwork,GIS,Statistical Analysis |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Prof Robert Bingham
Tel: (0131 6)51 4635
Email: r.bingham@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Leigh Corstorphine
Tel: (01316) 502572
Email: lcorstor@ed.ac.uk |
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