GV1EL: Earth Lab

Module code: GV1EL

Module provider: Geography and Environmental Science; School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science

Credits: 20

Level: Level 1 (Certificate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Professor Tom Sizmur, email: t.sizmur@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Dr Udeme Dickson, email: u.j.dickson@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 20 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module will introduce the fundamental concepts required to understand and investigate how our environment works and then introduce you to key fieldwork and laboratory skills by visiting sites, collecting samples and analysing them in the laboratory to make an assessment of the health of the environment in our local area. 

This module aims to help you to develop a fundamental understanding of the foundations of environmental chemistry and biology and the chemical and biological processes that underpin the cycling of elements and energy in the environment. It will also provide you with the skills to study these processes and related environmental quality parameters in the field and laboratory.  

This module will be of particular value to students wishing to undertake projects which involve the field collection and laboratory analysis of environmental samples. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Discuss the periodic table and differentiate atoms, elements, and compounds and comprehend the characteristics and organisation of living entities 
2. Collect samples of soil, water and air, and accurately follow a laboratory method sheet to measure the key properties that underpin environmental quality  
3. Calibrate an analytical instrument and discuss the precision and accuracy of environmental analyses 
4. Explain the results of field observations and laboratory analysis in a laboratory report and interpret the results of an environmental investigation within the context of knowledge about key chemical, and ecological principles 

Module content

Interactive lecture content 

• Atoms, elements, compounds, molar calculations, and chemical reactions 
• Principles of analytical chemistry 
• The building blocks and organisation of life  
• Biogeochemical cycles 
• Introduction to soil, water, and air quality 
• How to present laboratory data and write a lab report 

Practical content 

• The Environmental Science laboratory 
• Preparing and diluting solutions 
• Calibration and Measurement 
• Life under the microscope 
• How to create high quality tables and figures 
• Air quality project 
• Water quality project 
• Soil quality project 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

This module will be delivered through pre-recorded screencasts, interactive lectures, field sampling campaigns, laboratory practical classes, and computer practical classes. 

Study hours

At least 32 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Formative multiple-choice quiz 

Reassessment

Additional costs