12 EC
Semester 1, period 1
5264VAG12Y
| Owner | Master Earth Sciences |
| Coordinator | dr. Harry Seijmonsbergen |
| Part of | Master Earth Sciences, |
Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the content of the course has changed. This years fieldwork abroad has been cancelled by the 'core team education' of the faculty, due to the insecure developments and measures, both in the Netherlands and Spain/including the Spanish islands. In the light of logistics, arrangements and preparations, a visit abroad was not possible.
Instead, we will have 8 days field work on Texel island and two excursions and in the Netherlands (see the DataNose and the lectures for the exact dates). This years focus will be on :
Course set-up:
Theoretical information from lectures (staff and guest lectures), a literature study and preliminary GIS and remote sensing data analyses will be used to formulate and communicate research objectives and accompanying 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 and 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 gain field experience during two one-days field visits in Rhenen (Veluwe area), Oostvaardersplassen (reclaimed land, central NL). There will be opportunity to test theory against reality.
Introductory assignments will be available to evaluate the geodiversity of Texel using digital datasets, such as 1:50 .000 geological, geomorphological and soil maps, as well as high resolution elevation data derived from LiDAR.
The proposal will be elaborated to a report, that includes the findings of a short 8 days fieldwork on Texel island and related analyses (spatial analyses, lab work, models). Each student group (3 students) will work in a specific area and on a selected topic that fits this years themes. These topics will be discussed during field visits in the first two weeks of the course. Students can test the feasibility of their proposal, especially the research goals and questions, the experimental design during a short field inventory. They will take soil samples and collect field measurements to support their final report and the accompanying technical log. This field-based case study, including lab results, maps and other measurements/analysis will be integrated into a final report and accompanying technical log.
After 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 technical log all data, models and metadata descriptions will be included. The proposal and the final report are presented during before the fieldwork and in the last week of the course (see dates and deadlines).
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, short PowerPoint-presentations and hand-outs will be published on Canvas
A short excursion guide will be handed out before the field visits to Rhenen and Oostvaardersplassen and the field work on Texel.
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
Precise activities will be published on the Canvas digital learning environment before and/or in the first week of the course.
In August it will officially be decided whether all activities will take place on campus or that (part of) the program will be offered online.
| 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. | |
| Presentation I and II | 4 | 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 (Rhenen, Oostvaardersplassen, Texel) | |
| Self study (writing, reading) | 172 | 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 | Remarks |
|
Final grade | All partial grades should be 5 or higher. Mean should be 5.5 or higher | |
|
25% Proposal | ||
|
5% Presentation I | ||
|
20% Fieldwork | ||
|
10% Presentation II | ||
|
40% Final report (20%) and technical log (20%) |
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. Hand in Presentation I: Thursday 23/9 via Canvas
2. Hand in Proposal: Monday 27/9 per email for review; 30/9 via Canvas
3. Fieldwork: Friday 8/10, no hand in required
4. Hand in Presentation II: Friday 28/10, via Canvas
5. Hand in Final report/ technical log: Friday 29/10, 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 2 page review.
A team of three students write a short literature review of 2 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 Texel 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 four weeks, mainly during discussion sessions. The two page literature view from the Literature review assignment will be integrated in this Proposal. The concept proposal will be reviewed by other student teams, feedback is provided during the presentation I after which the Proposal will be handed in, see deadlines. A rubrik with evaluation criteria, will be posted on Canvas.
Both graded - see Asessment
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 Texel 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 Texel 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.
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 | Zoom lectures, practical, master info, self-study (lit. review, GIS), Rhenen field visit | ||
| 38 | Lectures, practical, self-study (lit. review, GIS), presentation I, field visit Oostvaardersplassen | Presentation I | September 23 via Canvas |
| 39 | Practical, fieldwork Texel island | Proposal | (September 27 for review per email, September 30 via Canvas) |
| 40 | Fieldwork Texel island | Fieldwork + pitch | October 8 - no hand in |
| 41 | Continuation lecture, self study (GIS, labwork), question hour | ||
| 42 | Self study, Lab/GIS, study plan, question hour | ||
| 43 | Self study, presentation II | Final report + technical log; Presentation II | October 29 via Canvas |
The schedule for this course is published on DataNose.
This year's course has a different structure as the result of the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Regulations from national and local authorities may change from time to time - therefore the program can potentially differ from the information presented in this manual - if necessary, announcements will be posted via Canvas or in person.
We will remain in the Netherlands and have two one-days excursions to Rhenen and to the Oostvaardersplassen, as well an 8-days fieldwork on Texel island (see schedule on DataNose, this course manual and announcements). Housing and meals have been arranged. Travel to and from the excursion sites and fieldwork is your own responsibility, locations will be announced via the Canvas page, as well as additional information.
The students that enrolled in this course will receive practical information about the final content and set-up of the course via email or via an announcement on digital learning environment Canvas before the third week of August.
Knowledge of earth sciences and basic GIS knowledge are both helpful; contact the coordinator in the week before the start of the course for updating or refreshing of these issues. This is not mandatory; you will be part of a group of students with various skills, that, in combination, are well prepared for this course.