ENVR356-21S2 (C) Semester Two 2021

Field-focused Research Methods in Environmental Science

30 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 19 July 2021
End Date: Sunday, 14 November 2021
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Sunday, 1 August 2021
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Friday, 1 October 2021

Description

This course links field-based learning and/or data collection with instruction in research methods and tutorials dedicated to working in research teams analysing, processing and interpreting data in the broad subject area of environmental science.

2021 Covid-19 Update:
Please refer to the course page on AKO | Learn for all information about your course, including lectures, labs, tutorials, field trips and assessments.

GEOL 356 is an undergraduate research course for students enrolled in the Frontiers Abroad programme. This course is designed to link field modules and/or data collection with instruction in research methods and tutorials dedicated to working in research teams analyzing, processing and interpreting data.  As part of this course, students conduct their own independent research component as part of a larger team research project.  At the end of the course students will have completed a series of learning objectives, written a short journal-article style paper, and delivered a professional research presentation.

Learning Outcomes

  • This course seeks to provide students with the basic skills to conduct scientific research by doing research, present/write up scientific results, interact with your peers within a research team, and culturally engage with New Zealand

    Learning Outcomes
  • Learning how to conduct research by doing research (experiential learning)
  • Learning about one’s own identity through engagement with other persons and communities during the research process
  • Learning the value of cultural competency via the research process (i.e. engagement with Iwi and learning fundamentals of tikanga Maori through pre-term marae visits and research data collection)
  • Learn how to design and write a research proposal that is punchy and scientifically rigorous
  • Learn the art of peer reviewing
  • Learn how to perform a library/online search
  • Learn how to prepare and write a literature review
  • Learn how to present research data (effective figures and tables)
  • Learn the difference between an Abstract and an Introduction
  • Learn how to structure a research report or articles
  • Learn how to make and deliver a professional research presentation
  • Learn how to structure and write a research article

    Course Expectations:
    As a half-year, 30-point course, you are expected to spend approximately 25 hours per week on average for your research.  Contact hours include 4 days in the field (30 hours), 60 lectures/tutorial hours, and more than 200 additional hours (~17 hours a week) in course-related self-learning.

    Course assignments are designed to reinforce skill sets and information addressed in the course.  By engaging thoughtfully and thoroughly with the course experiences we hope you will begin to merge prior knowledge with new knowledge, and meld this with what you are learning with and from your peers.
    • University Graduate Attributes

      This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attributes specified below:

      Critically competent in a core academic discipline of their award

      Students know and can critically evaluate and, where applicable, apply this knowledge to topics/issues within their majoring subject.

      Employable, innovative and enterprising

      Students will develop key skills and attributes sought by employers that can be used in a range of applications.

      Biculturally competent and confident

      Students will be aware of and understand the nature of biculturalism in Aotearoa New Zealand, and its relevance to their area of study and/or their degree.

      Engaged with the community

      Students will have observed and understood a culture within a community by reflecting on their own performance and experiences within that community.

      Globally aware

      Students will comprehend the influence of global conditions on their discipline and will be competent in engaging with global and multi-cultural contexts.

Prerequisites

Enrolment in the Frontiers Abroad programme and Head of Department approval. RP: Completion of course(s) at home institution in the broader field of Earth Systems Science and Environmental Science and Studies.

Restrictions

GEOL356. This course is not open to non-Frontiers Abroad students

Recommended Preparation

Completion of course(s) at home institution in the broader field of Earth Systems Science and Environmental Science and Studies.

Timetable Note

Lectures and Tutorials: 2-hour weekly lecture, 3-hour weekly tutorial.

Field trips: 4-day trip, collecting research data, will be held prior to the start of semester.

Course Timetable

Lecture A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Monday 15:00 - 17:00 Ernest Rutherford 220 Geog/Geol Teaching Lab (15/7-19/8, 9/9-14/10)
Ernest Rutherford 221 Geog/Geol Teaching Lab (15/7-19/8, 9/9-14/10) 15 Jul - 25 Aug
9 Sep - 20 Oct

Computer Lab A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Wednesday 17:00 - 20:00 Ernest Rutherford 212 Computer Lab
15 Jul - 25 Aug
9 Sep - 13 Oct

Tutorial A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Wednesday 17:00 - 20:00 Ernest Rutherford 220 Geog/Geol Teaching Lab (17/7-21/8, 11/9-9/10)
Ernest Rutherford 221 Geog/Geol Teaching Lab (17/7-21/8, 11/9-9/10) 15 Jul - 25 Aug
9 Sep - 13 Oct

Workshop A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Wednesday 17:00 - 20:00 Undercroft 101
14 Oct - 20 Oct

Course Coordinator

Sam Hampton

Lecturer

Josh Borella

Assessment

In GEOL356, assignments are designed as opportunities for you to receive constructive feedback on your progress towards the course outcomes, as well as to engage in intellectual dialogue with peers and mentors regarding your understanding of course materials and experiences.  Specific criteria are used to evaluate assignments.  

At this level of study, we expect you to do more than be physically present.  We will also be looking for you to:

1. Participate in and be physically and intellectually present in the classes;
2. Read beyond your lecture notes, your insights enhance the learning achieved in the lecture room;
3. Ensure that you understand the course material, and seek help if you do not;
4. Engage in forums and discussion exercises throughout the course;
5. Spend 20 hours each week in self-learning for this course;
6. Work collaboratively with your mentor and research peers
7. Complete the assignments and research project.

Enrolment in the Frontiers Abroad programme and HoD (Geological Sciences) approval.

Research Proposal  -  10%
Paper Critique  -  10%
Introduction  -  10%
Reflection and Class participation  -  10%
Abstract  -  5%
Research poster and presentation  -  25%
Research manuscript / paper / report  -  30%

Notes

Prerequisites:
Enrolment in the Frontiers Abroad programme and HoD (Geological Sciences) approval

Restrictions:
Enrolment in the Frontiers Abroad programme

Recommended preparation:
As a half-year, 30-point course, you are expected to spend approximately 25 hours per week on average for your research.  Contact hours include 4 days in the field (30 hours), 60 lectures/tutorial hours, and more than 200 additional hours (~17 hours a week) in course-related self-learning.

Course assignments are designed to reinforce skill sets and information addressed in the course.  By engaging thoughtfully and thoroughly with the course experiences we hope you will begin to merge prior knowledge with new knowledge, and meld this with what you are learning with and from your peers.

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $1,820.00

International fee $8,875.00

* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.

Minimum enrolments

This course will not be offered if fewer than 5 people apply to enrol.

Limited Entry Course

Maximum enrolment is 30

For further information see School of Earth and Environment .

All ENVR356 Occurrences

  • ENVR356-21X (C) General non-calendar-based 2021
  • ENVR356-21S2 (C) Semester Two 2021