Module GEOG4031: PRACTICAL SKILLS IN SEA-LEVEL SCIENCE

Department: Geography

GEOG4031: PRACTICAL SKILLS IN SEA-LEVEL SCIENCE

Prerequisites

• Sea-Level Change and Coastal Evolution (GEOG3191)

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• This is a science-based module aimed at students wishing to develop postgraduate level knowledge about the discipline of sea-level science, including field methods of sea-level reconstruction, and knowledge of recent and abrupt changes in sea level that create hazards for society.

Content

• The module is concerned with understanding sea-level changes in the geological past during the geological past, and over the past few hundred years and the context for future changes and hazards. The module uses a science-based approach to examine global, regional and local changes in sea level both gradual and abrupt, from the last glacial maximum to the present. Learning and teaching follows a hands-on approach with methods and techniques of sea-level reconstruction learnt through a 3 day residential field class and associated workshop, followed by two practical classes involving laboratory work in term 1 and three in term 2, with a final workshop in term 2. This is supplemented by a series of lectures to develop understanding of particular features of Holocene sea-level history, the key themes, the broader processes causing sea-level changes over Holocene timescales. Students work with staff as a collaborative team, so that the quantitative work secured during the module will ultimately be converted to a report that would be suitable for potential publication; hence the field study location will occasionally change according to research priorities.

Learning Outcomes

• Understanding of the mechanisms causing, and evidence for, sea-level change; past, present and future
• Critical evaluation of proxy methods of measuring sea-level change

• Plan, design, execute and report research appropriate to Masters level on a team-based investigation of sea-level reconstructions and techniques used to develop reconstructions
• Undertake advanced fieldwork and laboratory analysis of material collected in the field and interpret results in the context of previous work
• Employ at a professional level a variety of technical and laboratory-based methods for the analysis of modern and fossil sediments to reconstruct sea-level changes
• Conduct advanced quantitative methods on the field and laboratory data, synthesize the data together, and present project results at a professional standard ready for publication in a scientific journal

• Critical analysis and interpretation of data at a research level appropriate to a Masters degree
• Plan, execute and report to a professional standard on intensive field-based investigations
• Communicate effectively and professionally in written and graphical media
• Identify, retrieve, interrogate and assimilate complementary data from primary and secondary sources

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Core lectures covering key concepts
• Preparation workshop before the field investigation formulates the context for the fieldwork programme, involving familiarization with and synthesis of previous literature, acquisition of, familiarization with and preliminary work on secondary data sources and aerial imagery
• The field trip allows data acquisition by a co-ordinated team and individually allows the implementation of new field skills and best practice in field notebook management previously developed at Levels 1-3
• Post fieldwork practicals and workshop involve primary and secondary data collation, analysis and preparation using quantitative data analysis
• Formative feedback on the field notebook developed during field and laboratory work will allow students to assess their understanding of technical details of the collected data and how to present the data clearly so it can be used by others.
• Summative assessment is undertaken on a practical report at the end of term 1 associated with field data collection and analysis, and a practical report at the end of term 2 associated with field and laboratory data collection and analysis

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Feedback on field notebook developed during fieldwork and subsequent practicals in term 1

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University