AP1A19-Environment in Practice 1

Module Provider: Agriculture
Number of credits: 20 [10ECTS credits]
Level: C (Certificate)
Terms in which taught: Autumn, Spring and Summer
Module Convenor: Dr DB Westbury
Pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Module version for: 2008/9

Email: D.B.Westbury@reading.ac.uk

Aims:
Students will be introduced to the complexity underlying rural environments including a range of processes and interactions. This will receive an introduction to the key scientific skills underlying the investigation of rural environments.

Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of the module students will be able to
• Explain the relationship between soil type, climate, human activity, habitat and vegetation
• Undertake a range of ecological sampling methods
• Design and conduct basic experiments in the rural environment
• Complete a Part I experimental project working in a small team
• Discuss important local habitats, their protection and management

Additional outcomes:
The module also aims to encourage interaction between peers and the discussion of a range of environmental issues. Students will be expected to undertake library research, oral presentations and a range of laboratory techniques appropriate to their Part I projects.

Outline content:
• Field visits to a range of local habitats
• Introduction to ecological field methods
• Introduction to library facilities and project data collection
• Case study on the role of trees and forestry in the RE
• Case study looking at waste water and landfill treatment in the RE
• Introduction to aquatic habitats and plants
• Seminar on plant diversity and conservation
• An introduction to ecological energetics
• Case studies on renewable energy in the RE
• Research, design, and completion of an experimental project
• Basic statistical techniques

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Seminars, tutorials, project work, library searches, teamwork, presentations, field visits and experimentation, lab work.

Transferable skills covered

• Written communication
• Oral communication
• Problem-solving
• Team work
• Information Handling
• Information technology skills
• Scientific and report writing

Specialist skills covered

• Habitat management
• Ecological sampling
• Environmental Management
• Experimental design
• Basic statistics
• Seedbank evaluation

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	2	2
Tutorials/seminars	10	10	2
Practicals	30	30	10
Assignment preparation (guideline)	16	16	8
Independent learning time (private study, revision,CAL etc)	22	32	10
Total hours (total hours learning)	80	90	30
Number of essays or assignments	4	4	4
Other (eg major seminar paper)

Assessment:
Coursework
Students will be expected to complete an experimental project during the course of the module which will be assessed via a report and oral presentation. In addition students are expected to keep and fieldwork and visits diary to be handed in after each fieldwork session.

Relative percentage of coursework : 100%

Penalties for late submission
Standard University rule applies: 10% marks deducted for work submitted up to one week late. Work submitted more than one week late will be awarded a zero mark.

Examinations
There will be no formal examination

Requirements for a pass
A mark of 40% overall

Reassessment arrangements
Re-examination in August/September.

Last updated: 3 October 2008