Unit information: Study and Field Skills for Physical Geographers (Bristol) in 2020/21

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 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
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 summarised in poster format (100%).

Reading and References

Essential Reading

1. Farrant, A.R., Moody, A.A.D., and Mullan, G.J., 2009. Speleogenesis and landscape development in the Burrington area, Somerset. UBSS Proceedings, 24(3), 207-252
2. Davies, B E and Ballinger, R C (1990) Heavy metals in soils in north Somerset, England, with special reference to contamination from base metal mining in the Mendips, Environmental Geochemistry and Health volume 12, 291–300