Module DDL-4545:
Tropical Forestry Study Tour

Module Facts

Run by School of Natural Sciences

20.000 Credits or 10.000 ECTS Credits

Organiser: Dr James Walmsley

Overall aims and purpose

To visit and observe a range of tropical field sites of diverse forest structure, land use and management practices; ii) to meet in-country experts and local people to understand local cultures and their dependency on the forest resource; iii) to introduce the key social and political influences on the management of natural resources by different groups of people in particular environmental contexts; iv) participate in group discussions about the issues raised during visits; v) to develop a critical and analytical attitude to the natural and managed environment; vi) to develop skills in designing, executing and writing up a research project.

Course content

A two-week field course to an environmentally diverse area. This will alternate between various countries endowed with tropical forest resources, such as Uganda, Ghana and others, in collaboration with host country organisations and universities.
Students may visit a variety of sites which demonstrate a range of natural and managed vegetation, and a range of conservation and sustainability issues. Some of these may involve meeting and discussion with local experts. In the second week, students may work in small teams on a project developed in discussion with fellow students and staff.

Assessment Criteria

excellent

Grades A- to A**: Sound knowledge of subject and ability to pull together various elements of the course material and other material succinctly and perceptively. Evidence of substantive background reading. Lively, frequent and pertinent contributions to group discussions. Ability to write perceptive and well-argued reports, peer review the work of others in a critical and constructive manner, and work very effectively as part of a team in the execution of a small research project.

good

Grades B- to B+: Sound knowledge of subject and ability to write descriptive accounts of the key topics covered in the Study Tour. A sound multidisciplinary approach to a range of issues. Ability to contribute constructively to debate, ability to write well-argued reports, peer review the work of others and work effectively as part of a team in the execution of a small research project. Structured, accurate and relevant description. Detailed quantification and sound level of critical evaluation expected.

threshold

Grades C- to C+: Basic knowledge of subject and ability to write descriptive accounts. Basic knowledge of the key topics covered in the Study Tour. A basic multidisciplinary approach to a range of issues. Ability to contribute constructively to debate, ability to write reports, peer review the work of others and work effectively as part of a team in the execution of a small research project. Structured, accurate and relevant description. Some quantification and basic level of critical evaluation expected.

Learning outcomes

  1. Capacity to critically examine and discuss online a range of scientific and non-scientific literature relevant to a specific country and / or specific topic areas relating to tropical forestry..

  2. Ability to draft a research concept note remotely and peer review the research ideas of others.

  3. Ability to conduct primary and / or secondary research in a tropical forestry context, both individually and as part of a group effort.

  4. Ability to collaborate with others in order to produce a research report formatted according to the requirements of a peer-review journal.

Assessment Methods

Type Name Description Weight
Multiple Choice / Multiple Answer Questionnaire 10.00
Peer review of concept note 20.00
Reflective diary entry 20.00
Research Article 50.00

Teaching and Learning Strategy

Hours
Group Project

Group-based research and report.

 50
Fieldwork

A two-week study tour (or equivalent)

 100
Private study

Private and guided self-study.

 50

Transferable skills

  • Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
  • Numeracy - Proficiency in using numbers at appropriate levels of accuracy
  • Computer Literacy - Proficiency in using a varied range of computer software
  • Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
  • Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
  • Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
  • Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sensitevely with others
  • Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
  • Safety-Consciousness - Having an awareness of your immediate environment, and confidence in adhering to health and safety regulations
  • Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.
  • Teamwork - Able to constructively cooperate with others on a common task, and/or be part of a day-to-day working team
  • Mentoring - Able to support, help, guide, inspire and/or coach others
  • Caring - Showing concern for others; caring for children, people with disabilities and/or the elderly
  • Management - Able to utilise, coordinate and control resources (human, physical and/or financial)
  • Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting
  • Self-awareness & Reflectivity - Having an awareness of your own strengths, weaknesses, aims and objectives. Able to regularly review, evaluate and reflect upon the performance of yourself and others
  • Leadership - Able to lead and manage, develop action plans and objectives, offer guidance and direction to others, and cope with the related pressures such authority can result in

Subject specific skills

  • Demonstrate awareness of the importance of risk assessment and relevant legislation
  • Recognize the moral, ethical and social issues relating to the subject.
  • Develop and identify research question(s) and/or hypotheses as the basis for investigation.
  • Conduct fieldwork and/or laboratory work competently with awareness of appropriate risk assessment and ethical considerations
  • Consider issues from a range of interdisciplinary perspectives.
  • Collect, analyse and interpret primary and/or secondary data using appropriate qualitative and/or quantitative techniques.
  • Apply appropriate techniques for presenting spatial and/or temporal trends in data.
  • Prepare effective maps, diagrams and visualizations.
  • Undertake field and/or laboratory studies to ensure competence in basic experimental and/or fieldwork skills.
  • Demonstrate awareness of the importance of risk assessment and relevant legislation
  • Engagement with current subject developments and their application.
  • Engage in debate and/or discussion with specialists and non-specialists using appropriate language.
  • Demonstrate the independence and skills required for continuing professional development

Resources

Resource implications for students

Students will need to finance their return travel from their country of residence (cost dependent on where they travel from), as well as their in-country costs (typically ~£800), plus the costs of any vaccinations, visas etc. Funding from the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission pays for the costs for the majority of students, who are in receipt of scholarships which cover these costs. Self-funded students need to find funds.

Talis Reading list

http://readinglists.bangor.ac.uk/modules/ddl-4545.html

Reading list

https://rl.talis.com/3/bangor/lists/BC4F0A62-45BC-CB3B-0C8D-667D4D2931C0.html?lang=en

Courses including this module