Key Skills and Fieldwork for Geoscientists

Learning Outcomes

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Demonstrate competence in key field skills including keeping an effective notebook, making field observations and interpreting field data
• Demonstrate ability to communicate in written and oral formats; and evidence team-working, time management, study, and self-management skills
• Effectively use library resources, including via literature searches, and use of electronic catalogues

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• By completion of a compulsory online academic integrity assessment, you will have learnt and know how to employ the SOES protocols associated with referring to the work of other authors in your own pieces of work, i.e. producing reference lists, citing/acknowledging other authors' publications in your written work.
• Safely and systematically collect and then present and analyse field data, in the form of a geological map, sedimentary logs and a geological cross-section produced from field data
• Develop scientific writing skills, making use of library resources to support your writing
• Develop oral presentation skills in small group sessions

This year 1 module introduces students to University study, and key geoscience skills and topics, mainly via small-group (tutorial) and residential field-based learning. Skills covered (depending on degree programme) include fieldwork skills such as geological mapping, production of geological cross-sections, field data interpretation and operation of geophysical instrumentation, and more generic skills such as writing and analysis skills, research skills, presentational skills, and information searching, citation and management

Geology, Environmental Geoscience and Geophysics students attend two residential field courses during the Easter vacation and at the end of Year 1.

Eight tutorials are also held over both semesters to introduce students to their degree subjects in greater depth and develop key subject skills.

Teaching and learning methods

Tutorial programme: will further develop generic skills such as scientific writing (including Library based sessions on "writing skills"), information research and oral presentation.

Fieldwork: will provide you with a training in geological fieldwork skills (mapping, field observations, logging sedimentary sequences, taking structural measurements) or geophysical field skills (e.g. marine surveying, training in geophysical instrumentation), depending on degree programme.

A wide range of support can be provided for those students who have further or specific learning and teaching needs.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.