ES3051 Environmental Earth Sciences Field Excursion

Academic year

2025 to 2026 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

15

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 9

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Available only to students enrolled in an BSc Hons or MGeol in the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences or, for visiting students, the equivalent degree in their home institution

Planned timetable

To be arranged

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr E E Stueeken

Dr E E Stueeken
This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr Luke Bridgestock

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

Field sampling and laboratory analysis of natural samples are in important part of an environmental scientist’s toolkit. This module will introduce the skills necessary for planning and executing a successful field campaign, developing best practice field skills in documenting the geological and environmental controls on a geochemical problem, and how to select and take samples. Environmental field methods will be introduced under the overall theme of the critical zone, i.e. the interface between the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere. Key critical zone processes that impact global biogeochemical cycles will be introduced through a set of lectures, leading up to the topic of acid mine drainage. This topic will be investigated in greater detail during a one-week field excursion.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS ES2003

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100%

Re-assessment

Coursework = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

5 hours of lectures over the semester, 1 x 3-hour lab in preparation of the field trip, and one week-long field trip

Scheduled learning hours

48

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

102

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Understand natural and anthropogenic processes that impact environmental conditions in the critical zone
  • Manage and interpret environmental datasets
  • Undertake a quantitative assessment of water quality
  • Evaluate remediation practices
  • Document findings and recommendations in a concise technical report