GEOL2201: FIELDWORK (ENVIRONMENTAL)

• GEOL1051 Field Studies.

• None.

• GEOL2191 Fieldwork (Geological) and GEOL2241 Fieldwork (Geophysical).

• To prepare students for their Level 3 dissertation projects.

• Planning and conducting laboratory, field and a programme of original research application of geoscience principles and methodologies to the solution of familiar and unfamiliar problems.
• Basic laboratory skills relevant to environmental geochemistry.
• Site survey and field methods.
• Project safety, risk management, right of access, health and safety regulations and sensitivity to the environment and stakeholders.
• Appropriate planning and preparation for dissertation reports.

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• Will have acquired subject knowledge and understanding in environmental principles, terms, definitions and classifications.
• Will have acquired subject knowledge and understanding in environmental methods of studying Earth systems.
• Will have acquired subject knowledge and understanding of engineering geology methods.

Subject-specific Skills:

• After completion of this module students: will be able to collect, record and analyse geological data using appropriate techniques in the field and in the laboratory.
• Will be able to conduct basic laboratory work, including preparation of solutions and standards, as well as acid-base and Fenton reactions.
• Will learn the advantages and limitations of a number of analytical techniques and calibration procedures.
• Will understand and apply laboratory health and safety protocols and practices.
• Will be able to conduct fieldwork in a safe, efficient and sensitive manner.
• Will be able to conduct the planning and preparation necessary for independent fieldwork and related activities.
• Will have acquired intellectual and practical skills necessary to plan, conduct and report on laboratory or field projects.
• Will have acquired intellectual and practical skills in order to apply geological principles and methodologies to the solution of familiar and unfamiliar problems.
• Will have acquired intellectual and practical skills to observe, record accurately and account for observations in the laboratory and in the field.
• Will have acquired intellectual and practical skills to synthesise information/data from a variety of sources.
• Will have acquired intellectual and practical skills to analyse, evaluate/interpret geological data.
• Will have acquired skills in order to handle geological spatial information in both 2 and 3 dimensions.
• Will have gained an appreciation of the role for engineering geology in wider society.
• Will have acquired intellectual skills involved in the measurement and interpretation of environmental or geophysical structures and processes from field observations and other sources of information.

Key Skills:

• Critical analysis
• Research capability
• Engage with professional world
• Scholarship
• Practical competency
• Independent learning
• Numeracy
• IT skills
• Information skills
• Literacy
• Teamwork
• Innovation and creativity
• Time management
• Continuing personal development
• Commercial awareness
• Environmental awareness

• The module is delivered through a mix of flexible 3 hour sessions comprising lectures, practicals, fieldwork and site visits.
• The module will include three laboratory sessions and three write-up sessions. Assessment for these will be from a combination of marks on notebooks, short reports and data analysis.
• The module will include one fieldtrip of seven days and a one-day fieldtrip.
• This method is preferred as it provides "hands on" learning and experience of practical and related laboratory skills.
• Summative assessment will be a combination of marks for notebooks, project reports and resulting data analysis.

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