Advanced Arid Environments Field Course (Namibia)

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Explore the influence of spatial and temporal scale upon processes in the field
• Undertake a substantial range of analytical and observational strategies for undertaking fieldwork
• Conduct field research with appropriate techniques, in a responsible and safe manner, paying due attention to risk assessment, rights of access, relevant health and safety regulations, and sensitivity to the impact of investigations on the environment and stakeholders
• Collect, analyse and understand data, using field techniques
• Use your interpersonal skills in group activities, including project work in the field and have a respect for differing views
• Use appropriate techniques, including computer software, to produce clear diagrams and maps of field data
• Plan and carry out an exacting piece of field research and produce a report to a high standard
• Understand the nature of change in physical environments
• Use geographical field work principles, theories and methods to design and undertake research of field phenomena
• Visualise the distinctiveness of particular places and regions within the global mosaic

This module will cover physical geography and environmental science aspects of the overseas country visited, including for example landscape dynamics, environmental change, ecology, remote sensing, GIS. Students will build on second year skills and develop advanced field skills including the development of a group research project and the collection and analysis of high quality field data associated with this, including the use of historical data to supplement the contemporary data collected during the field trip.

You will spend most of your time living in a unique arid environments research facility (Gobabeb Namib Research Institute). Situated on the banks of an ephemeral river that separates a UNESCO World Heritage listed Namib desert dune field (with dunes several hundred metres in height), from a stony desert. This unique environment hosts many desert adapted plants and animals that have been studied extensively at the institute. You will learn about some of these from local experts. From a landscape perspective, there are lots of aeolian, fluvial, weathering and coastal processes to be studied, along with the impact of aridity on water resources. Trips to walk with giraffes in their local habit and the unique landscape of the Skeleton Coast (including the seals and flamingos that inhabit it) will form part of the introductory sessions to the country.

The teaching and learning methods employed on this module are as follows:

1) Pre-departure orientation lectures and reading. The lectures will be used to familiarise students with the country, introduce the potential research topics, as well as highlight health and safety and research ethics issues. There will also be practicals/workshops to demonstrate the use of fieldwork equipment to students. Students will be expected to engage with a series of set readings prior to departure to ensure that they are familiar with the history, geography and socio-economic context of the region and background issues of environmental change.

2) Field-based learning. During the fieldcourse teaching and learning will comprise two main methods. First, guided walks and local talks to transfer key background knowledge and to stimulate discussion. Next, students will be able to engage with an in-depth project focusing on the issues raised in the preceding. During the project work students will learn through active hands on work (i.e., they will increase their knowledge and understanding of field based research skills), while the data gathered will develop their knowledge and understanding of the topics involved. Students will be able to select one from a range of projects covering a wide range of topics.

3) Field trip conference. At the field trip conference peer-peer learning (moderated by input from staff) will be enabled – the students will learn from the project work presented by the other student groups on the course.

Summative

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

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.