NIGK13014U Field and Methods Course

Volume 2013/2014
Education
MSc Programme in Geography and Geoinformatics
MSc programme in Geology-Geoscience
Content

The fundamental goal of the course is to enable the student to independently organize and carry out larger-scale geographic or geologic fieldwork and to be able to analyze, evaluate, document and communicate the results of a scientific study.

The course is designed as preparation for a Master’s thesis and therefore takes place during Master’s courses and prior to carrying out a Master’s thesis. In this course students will gain hands-on experience in a varied range of qualitative and quantitative methods that are considered to have a broad application in both research- and industry-related fields.

The course comprises three parts: i) block 3: theoretical and methodological studies, classroom teaching and preparation for fieldwork; ii) between block 3 and 4: 10 days of fieldwork, iii) block 4: processing of data, report writing and possibly additional classroom teaching. 

Learning Outcome
Knowledge:

Organize and carry out fieldwork, analyze, evaluate, document and communicate the results of a scientific studyy

Skills:

Can identify, propose and prepare suggestions for solving more complex scientific problems in relation to theoretical, methodological and empirical observations with a background in high-level geographical knowledge.

Can critically evaluate a choice of methods as well as propose procedures aimed at investigating and assessing the accuracy and possible sources of error of a method.

Can evaluate the suitability of a specific method for investigating a scientific problem, e.g. through use of statistical analysis of data.

Can compile results from several, and preferentially different, methods and apply these in to specific discussion and evaluation of their own results.


Competences:

Can use scientifically-correct language, present scientific arguments and justifications, participate in scientific discussions as well as communication science at various levels.

Can integrate, evaluate, discuss and put into perspective, theoretical, methodological and empirical choices including exhibiting a reflective and critical sense for these choices together with their scientific possibilities and limitations in relationship to a specific scientific problem.
Literature
Please see Absalon course page
B.Sc. programme in Geology-Geoscience or equivalent.
B.Sc. prgramme in geography and geoinformatics or equivalent
Lectures, theory exercises, field work/excursion, project work
List of courses offered until 2015:

Physical geography:

2014: academic year 2013-2014, block 2+3, Ghana, Troels Aagaard and Henrik
Breuning-Madsen

2014, academic year 2013-2014 block 4 + 2014-2015 bloc 1, Greenland, Disko, CENPERM

2015, academic year 2014-2015 block 4 + 2015-2016 block 1, Greenland, Disko, CENPERM


Human geography:

2014, academic year 2013-2014, block 3+4, Tanzania, Torben Birch-Thomsen

2014, academic year 2014-2015, block 1+2, Nepal, Jytte Agergaard


Geology:

2014, academic year 2013-2014, block 3+4, England, Kresten Anderskouv

2014, academic year 2013-2014 block 4 + 2014-2015 block 1, Utah, USA, Tod
Waight and Christian Bjerrum

2015, academic year 2014-2015 block 4 + 2015-2016 block 1, Cap Verde, Lars
Clemmensen and Paul Martin Holm

2015, academic year 2014-2015, block 3+4, England, Kresten Anderskouv

Please note that the Department will arrange information meetings for students who are interested in these course prior to the formal registration.

Students shall pay for their own travel to and from the field-work area, as well as 125 DKK per day for food and lodging.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Excursions
  • 120
  • Preparation
  • 152
  • Project work
  • 70
  • Theory exercises
  • 70
  • Total
  • 412
Credit
15 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written assignment
Oral examination, 20 minutes
The written assignment is prepared during the course and must be handed in prior to the exam week.
Aid
Without aids
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Several internal examiners
Criteria for exam assesment

Please see learning outcome