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GV1EL: Earth Lab
Module code: GV1EL
Module provider: Geography and Environmental Science; School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science
Credits: 20
Level: Level 1 (Certificate)
When you'll be taught: Semester 2
Module convenor: Professor Tom Sizmur, email: t.sizmur@reading.ac.uk
Module co-convenor: Dr Udeme Dickson, email: u.j.dickson@reading.ac.uk
Pre-requisite module(s):
Co-requisite module(s):
Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):
Module(s) excluded:
Placement information: NA
Academic year: 2024/5
Available to visiting students: Yes
Talis reading list: Yes
Last updated: 20 May 2024
Overview
Module aims and purpose
This module will introduce the fundamental concepts required to understand and investigate how our environment works and then introduce you to key fieldwork and laboratory skills by visiting sites, collecting samples and analysing them in the laboratory to make an assessment of the health of the environment in our local area.Â
This module aims to help you to develop a fundamental understanding of the foundations of environmental chemistry and biology and the chemical and biological processes that underpin the cycling of elements and energy in the environment. It will also provide you with the skills to study these processes and related environmental quality parameters in the field and laboratory. Â
This module will be of particular value to students wishing to undertake projects which involve the field collection and laboratory analysis of environmental samples.Â
Module learning outcomes
By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:Â
- Discuss the periodic table and differentiate atoms, elements, and compounds and comprehend the characteristics and organisation of living entitiesÂ
- Collect samples of soil, water and air, and accurately follow a laboratory method sheet to measure the key properties that underpin environmental quality Â
- Calibrate an analytical instrument and discuss the precision and accuracy of environmental analysesÂ
- Explain the results of field observations and laboratory analysis in a laboratory report and interpret the results of an environmental investigation within the context of knowledge about key chemical, and ecological principlesÂ
Module content
Interactive lecture contentÂ
- Atoms, elements, compounds, molar calculations, and chemical reactionsÂ
- Principles of analytical chemistryÂ
- The building blocks and organisation of life Â
- Biogeochemical cyclesÂ
- Introduction to soil, water, and air qualityÂ
- How to present laboratory data and write a lab reportÂ
Practical contentÂ
- The Environmental Science laboratoryÂ
- Preparing and diluting solutionsÂ
- Calibration and MeasurementÂ
- Life under the microscopeÂ
- How to create high quality tables and figuresÂ
- Air quality projectÂ
- Water quality projectÂ
- Soil quality projectÂ
Structure
Teaching and learning methods
This module will be delivered through pre-recorded screencasts, interactive lectures, field sampling campaigns, laboratory practical classes, and computer practical classes.Â
Study hours
At least 32 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.
 Scheduled teaching and learning activities |  Semester 1 |  Semester 2 | Ìý³§³Ü³¾³¾±ð°ù |
---|---|---|---|
Lectures | 12 | ||
Seminars | |||
Tutorials | |||
Project Supervision | |||
Demonstrations | |||
Practical classes and workshops | 18 | ||
Supervised time in studio / workshop | |||
Scheduled revision sessions | |||
Feedback meetings with staff | |||
Fieldwork | 12 | ||
External visits | |||
Work-based learning | |||
 Self-scheduled teaching and learning activities |  Semester 1 |  Semester 2 | Ìý³§³Ü³¾³¾±ð°ù |
---|---|---|---|
Directed viewing of video materials/screencasts | 2 | ||
Participation in discussion boards/other discussions | |||
Feedback meetings with staff | |||
Other | |||
Other (details) | |||
 Placement and study abroad |  Semester 1 |  Semester 2 | Ìý³§³Ü³¾³¾±ð°ù |
---|---|---|---|
Placement | |||
Study abroad | |||
 Independent study hours |  Semester 1 |  Semester 2 | Ìý³§³Ü³¾³¾±ð°ù |
---|---|---|---|
Independent study hours | 156 |
Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.
Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.
Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.
Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.
Assessment
Requirements for a pass
Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.
Summative assessment
Type of assessment | Detail of assessment | % contribution towards module mark | Size of assessment | Submission date | Additional information |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
In-class test administered by School/Dept | Online test | 30 | 1 hour | The online test will allow you to demonstrate your understanding of fundamental chemical and biological principles introduced in lectures and augmented with guided reading assignments. | |
Set exercise | Laboratory report | 70 | 1,500 words | The laboratory report will test your ability to make measurements, interpret environmental data and discuss their precision and accuracy. |
Penalties for late submission of summative assessment
The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:
Assessments with numerical marks
- where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
- the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
- where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
- where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.
Assessments marked Pass/Fail
- where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
- where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.
The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.
Formative assessment
Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.
Formative multiple-choice quizÂ
Reassessment
Type of reassessment | Detail of reassessment | % contribution towards module mark | Size of reassessment | Submission date | Additional information |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Set exercise | Laboratory report | 100 | 1,500 words | During the University resit period |
Additional costs
Item | Additional information | Cost |
---|---|---|
Computers and devices with a particular specification | ||
Printing and binding | ||
Required textbooks | ||
Specialist clothing, footwear, or headgear | Waterproof jacket and walking boots / wellington boots | £100 and £80 |
Specialist equipment or materials | ||
Travel, accommodation, and subsistence |
THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS MODULE DESCRIPTION DOES NOT FORM ANY PART OF A STUDENT'S CONTRACT.