This module will provide students with an introduction to the practical and professional skills and methods that are required as an environmental scientist.
Students will be introduced to the fundamental principles of environmental research through consideration of philosophy, literature, communication, methodologies and data analysis. This will be achieved through lectures, workshops, practicals, a local field visit, and 4 day field course.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module students should be able to:
Outline the key skills that a professional environmental scientist should possess
Understand how research is used to address key environmental issues
Use a variety of resources to construct a critical analysis of an environmental issue
Critically analyse and present scientific information in an appropriate format
Carry out field investigations to answer specific environmental questions
Work as a group to plan and carry out scientific investigations, analyse and present results
Understand how research is communicated within and beyond the profession
Assessments: Field Course presentation (5%) Field Course Notebook (45%) Data Analysis Exercise(50%)
Reassessment: 3,000 word Report on an environmental research topic including a review of research methods, and analysis & interpretation of a provided data set.