Course Details in 2026/27 Session

Module Title	LI Field Skills and Project Planning for Independent Projects
School	School of Geog Earth & Env Sci
Department	Earth and Environ Sciences
Module Code	03 33764
Module Lead	Jason Hilton
Level	Intermediate Level
Credits	20
Semester	Semester 2
Pre-requisites	LC Introductory Field and Research Skills - (03 33742)
Co-requisites
Restrictions	None
Contact Hours	Lecture-9 hours Tutorial-2 hours Practical Classes and workshops-19 hours Fieldwork-64 hours Guided independent study-106 hours Total: 200 hours
Exclusions
Description	This module prepares students for independent project work in years 3 and 4 through delivery of training in field methods thorough a residential field class combined with instruction in research project techniques and design. The module includes the following 2 components; 1. Students will undertake study and analysis of available literature and data relating to proposed independent project work, and development of familiarity with appropriate laboratory- and field-based methods of retrieving and recording data. This will include seminars on appropriate subject areas and choice of subjects, the project plan document, identifying research questions and hypotheses to be investigated, advanced literature searching, using bibliographic software, scientific methods, and Hazard and Risk Assessment for research projects. The module will also include workshops on data manipulation and analysis, ethics assessments for independent project work, and attend a First Aid course. Student will receive up to two hours of supervision from project advisors before submission of the project plan individually or in groups working on the same topic. A summary report will be prepared introducing the project, detailing the proposed methodology, discussing potential problems and outlining a planned programme of study, accompanied by completed Hazard and Risk and Ethical Assessments forms for successful completion of the module; 2. Students will complete an eight-day field course in SW England. The aims are to provide field experience and field technique training to reinforce and build on a range of core class-based courses, and to provide training in specific skills that are essential for successful completion of Year 3 independent projects. Background material and preparation will be covered in classroom sessions during semester 2. Students need to successfully complete this module in order to commence the Major Independent Research Project (03 27826) module in year 3.
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module students should be able to: Gain practical, field-based experience that complements core Year 1 and 2 classroom-based courses; Have experience in field techniques useful for Year 3 independent projects and required for Geological Society course accreditation; To foster a critical approach to problem solving and enhance teamwork skills; Experience hypothesis- and question-led study of geological, geomorphological and hydrological phenomena that may have multiple or ambiguous origins; Record and analyse petrological field data from metamorphic and igneous rocks; Record and analyse sedimentological, hydrological, geomorpholigical and structural field data; To gain understanding of the Late Palaeozoic to Cenozoic (including the Quaternary) geological history of the UK; To interpret palaeoenvironment from geomorphological, sedimentological and stratigraphic data; To gain understanding of methods of resource extraction and remediation; Collate data from a variety of published sources and summarise material on a theme related to the proposed independent project work; Successfully complete Ethics and Hazard and Risk Assessment process in order to commence independent project work; Develop a realistic programme of research for the proposed project and produce a clearly constructed planning outline to appropriate standards.
Assessment
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Assessment: Project plan (2,500 word; 60% of module); Data collection and analysis assessments around SW England trip (40% of module). Compulsory components: students need to complete these elements in order to be permitted to carryout independent fieldwork): 1) First aid course and related MCQ; 2) signed HRA; 3) signed Ethics self-assessment. If any of these components are not completed marks for the module will be withheld and the major project cannot proceed. This will result in withdrawal from the course or deferral of year 3. Reassessment: Resubmission of failed components; Resubmission of project plan (2,500 word; 60% of module); Replacement literature- and desk-based essays exercises based on SW England field exercises (2,000 words, 40% of module).
Other
Reading List