12 EC
Semester 1, period 1
5264VAG12Y
| Owner | Master Earth Sciences |
| Coordinator | dr. A.C. Seijmonsbergen |
| Part of | Master Earth Sciences, |
This is the first course in the master Earth Science (ES) and mandatory for the three tracks: Geoecological Dynamics, Future Planet Ecosystem Science and Environmental management. The course reflects the total programme of the master ES and covers in-depth ES content, technical skills and fieldwork on Tenerife island. Central themes and key elements are centered around the following topics:
Course set-up:
Theoretical information from lectures, a literature study and preliminary GIS and remote sensing data analyses will be used to formulate and communicate research objectives and aligned research questions that fit into one of these central research themes. The Dutch research template of the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO) will be used to write a proposal that includes; an attractive title, general information of the applicants, a scientific summary, a summary for the general public, the experimental design, a complete description of the proposed research, a time table of the project, the scientific embedding of the project, knowledge utilization, budget and a final statement by the applicants. See the detailed NWO template on the Canvas site for details. Students will obtain field experience during a 10-days fieldwork on Tenerife, including three excursion days.
Introductory assignments will be available to evaluate the geodiversity of Tenerife, using digital datasets, such as a geological, and soil map, as well as high resolution elevation data derived from LiDAR.
The proposal will be updated to a report, that includes the findings of the fieldwork on Tenerife island and the analyses (spatial analyses, lab work, models) made. Each student group (3 students) will work in a specific fieldwork area and on a selected topic that fits this years themes. Students can test the feasibility of their proposal, especially the research goals and questions, the experimental design during fieldwork on Tenerife. Part of the fieldwork is soil sample collections and other field measurements to support their findings for updating the final report. This field-based case study, including lab results, maps and other measurements/analysis will be integrated into a final report and an accompanying technical log.
After the fieldwork, students can work in the laboratory to process their soil samples, work in the GIS-studio to analyze spatial relations and/or conduct other software-related analyses that support the final proposal.
In a separate (digital) technical log all data, models and metadata descriptions will be included and adhere to the FAIR principles of data storage/handling.
All procedures, templates/assessment rubriks and tutorials are published on Canvas and discussed during lectures, discussion meetings and in the field.
In addition, this course informs on the structure of the Master Earth Sciences, which includes:
Selection of research articles, PowerPoint-presentations and hand-outs will be published on Canvas
A short excursion guide will be handed out before the fieldwork on Tenerife
GIS and RS basic exercises are available from Canvas; assignments on geodiversity will be available on Canvas; ArcGIS Pro will be available for installation on own laptops
ArcGIS Pro
Details of the activities will be published on the Canvas digital learning environment before and/or in the first week of the course and during lectures
| Activity | Contact hours | Activities for students | |
| Lectures (12) | 24 | Get inspired, informed, curious, get ideas and experience links between research topics, relevant for the design of an innovative and interesting research proposal | |
| Practical (14) | 56 | Use this time to support your deliverables (practical work and proposal) with digital data of your area by collecting / analyzing digital information. Use GIS and remote sensing techniques for some basic technical procedures (clipping, masking, digitizing, printing various maps etc.). Examples available on Canvas. | |
| Presentations I and II | 6 | Team presentation using PowerPoint to communicate your literature review and your proposal to fellow students and staff | |
| Excursions/fieldwork (in total 10 days) | 80 | Practical field experience to relate geodiversity, ecosystem services and landscape management in contrasting environments on Tenerife island | |
| Self study (writing, reading) | 170 | Time around all other activities for literature review, preparing your deliverables (reading, (re-)writing, lab-work, analyses using computer/statistical software/models etc.) | |
| Total | 336 |
Requirements of the programme concerning attendance (OER-B):
Additional requirements for this course:
During the course you will be working in a team of three students. Diversity in background and experience of the team will ensure that skills and knowledge necessary for successful completion of this course are available. We encourage team composition of at least one Dutch student and one foreign student. Also, it would be great to have students of various track interest (EM, FPES and GED) mix in a team.
| Item and weight | Details |
|
Final grade | |
|
0% Assignments | Must be ≥ 5 |
|
10% Presentation I | Must be ≥ 5 |
|
20% Fieldwork | Must be ≥ 5 |
|
15% Proposal | Must be ≥ 5 |
|
25% Final report | Must be ≥ 5 |
|
20% Technical log | Must be ≥ 5 |
|
10% Presentation II | Must be ≥ 5 |
Evaluation criteria / grading information will be published on the Canvas Learning Environment. For each type of assignment (presentation, excursion/fieldwork, practical report) we use rubriks for assessment. These will be published on Canvas.
Deadlines - hand in via the Canvas digital learning platform:
1. Literature review Friday 23/9 via Canvas
2. Hand in Presentation I: Friday 22/9 via Canvas
3. Hand in Proposal: Friday 23/9 per email for review; 26/9 via Canvas
4. Fieldwork: Friday 7/10, no hand in required
5. Hand in Presentation II: Thursday 27/10, via Canvas
6. Hand in Final report: Friday 28/10, via Canvas
7. Hand in Technical log: Friday 28/10, via Canvas
The manner of inspection will be communicated via the digitial learning environment.
You will receive individual and / or group-wise feedback on each of the grading components using rubriks . You will receive an invitation for the evaluation of the final grading.
Not graded - should be handed in as 3 page review.
A team of three students write a short literature review of 3 pages. The topic is based on your research topic (can be selected from available topics, which wil be posted via a Google Document on Canvas), the formulated research objectives and research questions. Guidelines and procedures will be explained - peer review by students (see under Proposal).
Graded - see Assessment
A research proposal related to the main course topics and Tenerife island is prepared by the team, and meets the standards of the NWO format (will be available on Canvas). Feedback on ideas and progress is provided by staff during the first three weeks, mainly during discussion sessions. The literature view from the Literature review assignment can be integrated in this Proposal. The proposal will also be reviewed by other student teams, feedback is provided during the presentation after which the Proposal will be handed in, see deadlines. A rubrik with evaluation criteria, will be posted on Canvas.
Both graded - see Assessment
Presentation I:
Student teams present their proposal, including their findings of the literature review. Feedback will come from staff and students (the audience)
Presentation II:
Students present and 'defend' their final report, that includes the updated proposal and the fieldwork results.
Feedback will come from staff and students (the audience)
See rubrik for evaluation criteria, which will be posted on Canvas.
Graded - see Assessment
Student teams write their final proposal, which is based on the first proposal and the experience and results of the fieldwork, laboratory analysis and spatial analysis related to the Tenerife fieldwork.
The proposal is supported by digital data, such as maps, tables and/or other supporting materials. See rubrik for evaluation criteria. Instructions and examples will be posted n Canvas.
Graded - see Assessment
The Tenerife fieldwork will be evaluated directly after the field period. Teams will receive continuous feedback during the fieldwork and during the closing pitch, by students and staff. See rubrik for evaluation criteria. Professional behavior is part of the assessment.
Graded - see Assessment
The proposal is supported by digital data, such as maps, tables and/or other supporting materials. See rubrik for evaluation criteria. Instructions and examples will be posted n Canvas.
The proposal is supported by digital data, such as maps, tables and/or other supporting materials. See rubrik for evaluation criteria. Instructions and examples will be posted n Canvas.
The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl
| Week nr. | Activities | Hand in assignments | Deadline |
| 36 | lectures / discussions, practical, master info, self study (lit. review, GIS) | ||
| 37 | Lectures, practicals, master info, self-study (lit. review, GIS), Rhenen field visit | ||
| 38 | Lectures, practical, self-study (lit. review, GIS), presentation I, field visit Oostvaardersplassen | Literature Review, Presentation I and Proposal | September 23 via Canvas |
| 39 | Practical, fieldwork Tenerife island | ||
| 40 | Fieldwork Tenerife island | Fieldwork + pitch | October 7 - no hand in |
| 41 | Continuation lecture, self study (Lab/GIS,), question hour | ||
| 42 | Self study, Lab/GIS, study plan assessment question hour | ||
| 43 | Self study, presentation II | Final report, technical log and Presentation II | October 27/28 via Canvas |
The schedule for this course is published on DataNose.
The students that are enrolled in this course will receive information on costs, travel, housing and other practical
information before the start of the course via email or via the digital learning environment. Be sure that you have been
officially admitted to the MSc Earth Science and that you have finished your BSc. Having bought a flight ticket is
not a reason for admission to this course.
For insurance and safety issues: see the module with general documents on the Canvas digital learning environment.
Knowledge of earth sciences, basic GIS knowledge; in the first lecture of the course information will be presented on how you can update or refresh these issues. This is not mandatory; you will be part of a group of 3 students with various skills, that - combined - are sufficient for this course.