Lectures - 24 hrs (these will be used to both introduce theoretical concepts and introduce and
contextualise specific practical / file tasks);

Workshops - 8 hrs (a four week block of 2 hour sessions timed to coincide with the introduction of appropriate theoretical concepts; self contained with a portfolio of work submitted at the end of the block of workshops and attendance is compulsory);
Field work - 8 hrs (one 8 hour field day coinciding with the practical workshop block to provide field data for subsequent workshop sessions; attendance is compulsory);
Guided Independent Learning @50 hrs for formative reading and tasks to prepare for or follow-up after classes.
Assessment Preparation @60 hrs for planning, researching / drafting / writing /editing / producing coursework and revising for class test

The module aims to provide an introduction to climate, weather, soil and vegetation systems through an integrated programme of lectures, practicals, and fieldwork:

The lecture programme will examine: the atmospheric system - global and synoptic circulations, climatic change, trends and causes; ecosystem structure and function, energy flows and nutrient cycles, and temporal and spatial changes in ecosystems and biotic regions of the world; the geography of soil systems.

The practical component of this module will provide: essential training in data collection and analysis techniques for examining a range of key physical components of the atmosphere and/or biosphere ? soils, vegetation, climate systems in order to understand atmosphere and biosphere processes; exposure to and experience of a range of appropriate practical laboratory techniques used to extract and analyse data related to the atmosphere and biosphere using both secondary (e.g. aerial photographs etc.) as well as primary field data (e.g. slope-soil-vegetation surveys); experience of working safely in the field in groups and training in basic field observation, measurement and sampling techniques.

1. A 1250-1500 word essay assessing the theoretical / conceptual aspects of the module (35%). [1,6]
2. Portfolio of work containing reflective activities relating to the four practical workshop exercises and the field work session (30%). [2,3,4,5,6,7]
3. A 1 hour end of module class test (35%) [1,5,6]


Additional Assessment Details:

Please note: Normally, to pass the module as well as achieving an overall Grade-Point 4 students must achieve at least a Grade-Point 2 in all of the assessed elements above.

Formative Assessment: students will need to develop their own learning abilities both as individuals (through researching essays and following up workshop exercises) and within groups (for laboratory and field data collection). Many lecture handouts contain formative questions that allow students to self-evaluate their own understanding of lectures. In addition there will be the opportunity to receive feedback from tutors on essay plans.

None

Gerrard, J. (2000) Fundamentals of Soils. Routledge, London
Holden, J. (2005) An Introduction to Physical Geography and the Environment. Pearson, Harlow
Huggett, R. (2004) Fundamentals of Biogeography. Routledge, London
Hugget, R. et al. (2004) Physical Geography: A Human Perspective. Arnold, London
Smithson, P. et al., (2002). Fundamentals of The Physical Environment (3rd ed). Routledge, London.
Strahler, A.N. & Strahler, A.N. (1992). An Introduction to Physical Geography. Wiley, London.
Thompson, R. (1998) Atmospheric Processes and Systems. Routledge, London.

Access to Physical Geography laboratory, class sets of maps, air photographs and satellite imagery, specialised graph paper, equipment and staffing for field classes. Library, Sciences Learning Resource Centre and internet.