Fourth Year Field Class - 2024 entry

This module is an advanced research-led field-based course that provides an opportunity to investigate in-depth an area of geology. The destination varies but will typically be Spain, Cyprus, Italy, Portugal or Tenerife. Depending on the location, you may focus on: (i) geohazards, including their deposits and monitoring, (ii) geothermal and hydrothermal processes, (iii) sedimentary and climatic processes, (iv) palaoenvironments and depositional settings (v) tectonic landscape evolution, and/or (vi) applied, environmental or georesource aspects of the geosciences. You will examine how tectonic, climatic and geological processes interact, how they have influenced and continue to influence environment and society, and encounter examples of how such processes are recorded for research and monitoring purposes.

 

Pre-requisites for this module: Summer Vacation Project (CSM3379) and a third-year field class module (either CSM3048 / CSM3068 / CSM3069 or CSM3074).

There are no co-requisites. This module is not suitable for non-specialist students or interdisciplinary pathways.

The aim of this module is to develop the independent field-based research skills of the student so they are comfortable planning and producing original field-based work. The goals that underpin this overall aim and the field course in general relate to the possible themes that will be explored, i.e., (i) geohazards, including their deposits and monitoring, (ii) geothermal and hydrothermal processes, (iii) sedimentary and climatic processes, (iv) palaoenvironments and depositional settings, (v) tectonic landscape evolution, and/or (vi) applied, environmental or georesource aspects of the geosciences. 

 

The module aims to equip the student with vital communication and interpersonal skills that will be essential for a successful career in academia or industry. The fieldwork and following coursework will enable the student to exercise substantial autonomy and initiative at a professional level in further preparation for future careers.

On successful completion of this module, you should be able to:

 

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:

1 Interpret geological field-based data and critically infer the associated emplacement/depositional framework;

2 Critically evaluate and synthesize results using appropriate quantitative and qualitative techniques;

3 Integrate field-based data from different localities in order to interpret geological landscape evolution and its possible impact on the global Earth system.

 

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:

4 Apply learning from independent study to new geological field areas;

5 Evaluate how different aspects of geoscience fit together and impact one another.

 

Personal and Key Transferable/ Employment Skills and Knowledge:

6 Independently formulate working hypotheses based on observations and current knowledge;

7 Design methodologies and approaches for which working hypotheses can be tested;

8 Plan and execute projects within a defined timescale and produce a report on the outcomes of the work;

9 Pitch a project idea and incorporate feedback into its final design effectively;

10 Construct technical reports using appropriate format and correct background literature and referencing.

The possible topics covered include: (i) geohazards, including their deposits and monitoring, (ii) geothermal and hydrothermal processes, (iii) sedimentary and climatic processes, (iv) palaoenvironments and depositional settings, (v) tectonic landscape evolution, and/or (vi) applied, environmental or georesource aspects of the geosciences. 

 

There will be designated time for students to develop their independent research ideas and collect preliminary data (where applicable) in preparation for their individual field-based research project assessment(s). 

 

Content for the technical report will be covered during the field class and backed up with independent student study prior to, and after, the field course.

 

Formative feedback:

We will be working in a small group, with ongoing discussion of the field sites throughout the course. Feedback for notebook keeping and individual research projects will be available through personal discussion with the group leaders. Time will be set aside for the personal research projects, during this time there may not always be a staff member at hand.