Run by School of Natural Sciences

15.000 Credits or 7.500 ECTS Credits

Semester 2

Organiser: Dr Mark Rayment

To visit and observe a range of field sites of diverse forest structure, land use and management practices; ii) to meet local populations 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 and executing a research project.

A two-week field course to an environmentally diverse area. This will alternate between tropical environments in collaboration with consortia partners (e.g. Costa Rica (hosted by CATIE), French Guiana (hosted by ENGREF)). Students will be taken to a variety of sites which demonstrate a range of natural and managed vegetation, and a range of conservation and sustainability issues. Some of these will involve meeting and discussion with local experts. In the second week, students will work in small teams on a project evolved in discussion with the teaching staff.

threshold

Basic knowledge of subject and ability to write descriptive reports

good

Sound knowledge of subject, ability to contribute constructively to debate, ability to write perceptive and well-argued reports

excellent

Sound knowledge of subject and ability to pull together various elements of the course material. Evidence of background reading. Lively, frequent and pertinent contributions to group discussions

1. Identify and discuss the key social and political influences on the management of natural resources by different groups of people in particular environmental contexts.

2. Identify key plants and ecosystems

3. Be able to critically apply principles to locally-specific knowledge/conditions

4. Design and execute a research project and draw appropriate conclusions from the data collected

Type	Name	Description	Weight
	REPORT		100.00

		Hours
Fieldwork	A 2 week fieldcourse.	100
Private study	Private and guided self-study	50

• 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.
• 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
• Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting

• Develop and identify research question(s) and/or hypotheses as the basis for investigation.
• Recognize and apply appropriate theories and concepts from a range of disciplines.
• Consider issues from a range of interdisciplinary perspectives.
• Apply subject knowledge to the understanding and addressing of problems.
• Collect, analyse and interpret primary and/or secondary data using appropriate qualitative and/or quantitative techniques.
• Engagement with current developments in the biosciences and their application.
• Undertake field and/or laboratory studies of living systems.
• Undertake practical work to ensure competence in basic experimental skills.
• Understand the provisional nature of information and appreciate competing and alternative explanations.
• Collect and record data generated by a diverse range of methods.
• Demonstrate awareness of the importance of risk assessment and relevant legislation

Compulsory in courses:

• D5AB: MSc Sustainable Forest and Nature Management year 1 (MSC/SFNM)