GV2FCXNU-Human and Physical Geography Field Class

Module Provider: Geography and Environmental Science
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Semesters in which taught: Summer term module
Pre-requisites: GV1IPGNU Introducing Physical Geography
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Alison Macleod
Email: alison.macleod@reading.ac.uk

NUIST Module Lead: Waheed Ullah
Email: waheed.khan@nuist.edu.cn

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Field investigations are a fundamental part of human and physical geography. The field class is designed to introduce students to an integrated approach to field research drawing upon a range of methods and equipment for data gathering. Students will gain experience of analysing and presenting data and a number of themes will be explored.

Aims:

The field class is designed to introduce students to the techniques and equipment required by human and physical geographers in the field.

Assessable learning outcomes:

The main purpose for students is to establish perceptions of geographical elements and phenomena, improve their ability of observation, analytical techniques and summarizing skills. The course contains the following objectives:

• To analyze and grasp the formation, characteristics, distribution regularity, interrelationship, development and change of the main geographic themes such as population, economics, biogeography and vegetation, meteorology, soils and geology.


• To understand and analyze occurrence process and spatial and temporal distribution of geographical phenomena over time within regional conditions.


• Discuss the law of interaction and changes between human activities and natural environment, discuss how the relationship between them can be coordinated, and develop harmoniously.


• Learn the methods of field investigation and how to analyse the data, and write investigation reports.

Additional outcomes:

Students will also understand the field description methods involved in human geography; understand the working principles and operation methods behind meteorological observation; understand the structure and function of water conservancy facilities; understand the production of soil profiles; understand living habits and utilization value of common plants; understand the law of biological evolution from ancient to present; understand some typical minerals, rocks or gemstones and examine some of the frontier issues of geography.

Outline content:

• Types of common terrestrial plants and how to identify them;


• Soil types and their distributions;


• Understand and describe common minerals and rocks;


• Examine the formation and evolution of organisms;


• Observation of meteorological parameters and meteorological information transmission;


• Hydrological observation and water conservancy facilities;


• The interaction and overall performance of mountain, water, forest, field, lake, grass, village and other elements;


• Urban development and overall planning;


• Historic blocks, garden art, cultural heritage and tourism development.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

A combination of lab, geological museum, weather station, and hydrological station visiting and fieldwork.