Module Details

The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title PRACTICAL SKILLS FOR OCEAN SCIENTISTS
Code ENVS220
Coordinator Prof J Sharples
Earth, Ocean and Ecological Sciences
Jonathan.Sharples@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2019-20 Level 5 FHEQ Whole Session 15

Aims

To provide students with

Knowledge of the scope of graduate jobs available to a graduate in ocean science, along with an understanding of how to present a portfolio of skills and respond to the different methods used in assessment of job applicants.

Understanding of the practical methods used to measure and analyse physical and biogeochemical quantities in the ocean, in both the context of ocean research and in the commercial world.

The skills to be able to the process and analyse oceanographic data in order to understand processes in the ocean.


Learning Outcomes

(LO1) Knowledge and Understanding:

Careers-related:

The scope of graduate-level jobs available to someone with the skills learnt on an oceans-related degree;
The routes into further study at post-graduate level;
The importance of developing an on-line profile for today's job market;
The different techniques (e.g. on-line, video) used in assessment of job applicants.

Subject-specific:

Navigation;
Measurements of temperature, salinity;
Measurements of currents – both direct and indirect methods;
Remote sensing;
Chlorophyll analysis;
Nutrient Analysis;

Oxygen Analysis) Analysis of Particles) Data quality/analysis techniques including:          
Manipulation of CTD and current data;      
Calculation of water column properties from discrete sampling;         
Calibration of instrumentation using discrete samples.

(LO2) IntellectualAbilities:

At the end of themodule a student should be able toevaluate the quality and significance of oceanographic data, and understand how data is used in both commercial and research environments.

(LO3) Subject Based ractical Skills:

At the end of themodule a student should be able to apply skills in:
Processing and analysing hydrographic data;
Processingand analysing current meter data;
Calculatingcurrents from indirect measurements and hydrographic data;
Analysis of nutrient, oxygen and particulate samples;
Interpreting nutrient, oxygen and particulate data;
Planning cruise tracks.

(S1) Problem solving skills

(S2) Numeracy

(S3) Communication skills

(S4) IT skills


Syllabus

 

Semester 1:

Tutorials in weeks 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 (Careers Service input to tutorials in weeks 3, 5, and 7).

Academic Advisor meeting: week 11.

Semester 2:
Group tutorials in weeks 1 and 11.

One 1-hour workshop per week in weeks 2 - 10. These workshops cover topics such as: navigation, measurement of temperature, salinity and currents, sampling and analyses for nutrients, oxygen and chlorophyll, microscopy for phytoplankton, sampling sediments and geochemistry.

Practical sampling and laboratory analyses during the semester 2 field week.

Timing in semester 2 is subject to change, depending on when the semester 2 field week occurs.


Teaching and Learning Strategies

Teaching Method 1 – Lecture/workshop
Description: Semester 2: 1 lecture/workshop per week, weeks 2-10
Teaching Method 2 - Field and lab work
Description: Sampling seawater and laboratory analysis. CTL lab required for 3 consecutive days (Wed-Fri) during field week.
Teaching Method 3 - Tutorials
Description: Semester 1: 1 hour tutorials in weeks 1, 3, 5, 7, 9. Semester 2: 1 hour tutorials in weeks 1 and 11.


Teaching Schedule

  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours 10

  10

  24

  44
Timetable (if known)              
Private Study 106
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment

EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
             
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
Report on field week work There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule: End of field week, semester 2.  4 sides A4    30       
Careers and application procedures (cv, LinkedIn profile, video interview) There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is an anonymous assessment. Asses  2 sides A4    20       
Data analysis of research expedition data. There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :Semester   Report, approx. 4 -     50       

Recommended Texts

Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.