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Geography Field Work
The Department has a fundamental commitment to engaging in field work at all levels of study. Some field work will take place within the context of certain modules at levels 4, 5 and 6. Such field work will typically involve an excursion to a local area of interest for a days' study. Major field work elements occur as complete modules within the Geography programme. All compulsory residential field work is delivered as part of our Geography awards and therefore there is no additional financial cost incurred as a consequence of engaging in our field work modules.
Our belief in field work means that it is not seen as an 'add-on' to other modules. We have a structured programme of field work across all 3 levels that leads to a development in skills from level 4 to level 6. The end product is a scientist who is confident in engaging with and reporting upon real-world phenomena in a professional and expert manner.
Level 4 Field Work
Field work is introduced very early in level 4. We have a short residential trip, currently to Castleton in the Peak District. Partly an 'ice breaker' this residential course helps us to get to know you, but also sets the first of our 'inquiry-based' tasks based in and around Edale. You will investigate tourism, dam construction and management and finally produce a poster for display within the department. Later in the year there are day visits to Chester and Liverpool, and Physical Geographers get to tackle morphological changes in the River Trent.
Level 5 Field Work
At level five we run an entire field work module. This module is designed to deliver skills in research planning as well as develop new field techniques. The module culminates in a residential field course (currently based in Snowdonia but we have also recently used Exeter as a base) where we spend an intense week investigating some specific issues and you are required to undertake your own research project.
In addition to the residential field work, there will be the occasional half day trip that supports individual modules.
Level 6 Field Work
Level six is the time to put all of your acquired skills and knowledge into practice. We currently run a residential field course to Barcelona. The course is also part of an entire module that requires you to undertake your own research, this time in an unfamiliar environment and engages you in new techniques of field investigation.
At level 6 there may also be further opportunity for further field work built into individual modules, for example 'Glaciers and Ice Ages' has a short residential trip to the Scottish Highlands.
The image (right) of Barcelona is taken from a photograph taken by Abigail Dunning (BA geography student) and was highly commended in a national competition. Follow this link to find out more.
