Main Field of Study and progress level:
Earth Science/Physical Geography: First cycle, has less than 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
Grading scale: Pass, Fail
Responsible department: Department of Ecology and Environmental Science
Established by: Faculty Board of Science and Technology, 2024-02-05
Revised by: Faculty Board of Science and Technology, 2024-11-06
Contents
This course deals with sampling methods and analytical techniques used within the fields of Earth Science and Physical Geography, with a focus on abiotic conditions both the terrestrial and aquatic systems. There will be a strong emphasis on study design and providing students with practical experience in collecting field data from various environments and media. An important aspect is how the natural variability of the landscape, along with the specific research question, affects where, when, and how we sample, as well as how we interpret the data. In addition to field sampling and field studies, the course includes significant laboratory components. The course will also address data quality assurance, statistical processing of both time series data and spatial data, various ways of visualizing data, and the importance of documentation and data traceability-especially for long-term studies (e.g., national monitoring programs).
The course contains five modules:
Module 1. Soil sampling, 3 ECTS Deals with sampling and analysis of the chemical and physical properties of soil.
Module 2, Sediment sampling, 3 ECTS Deals with sampling and analysis of the chemical and physical properties of lake sediments.
Module 3. Methods in groundwater hydrology, 3 ECTS Delas with methods used to investigate, e.g., groundwater levels and groundwater flow.
Module 4. Sampling of water for chemical analyses, 3 ECTS Deals with sampling and chemical analysis of different types of water samples.
Module 5. Methods in surface water hydrology, 3 ECTS Deals with methods used in surface-water hydrology to determine, e.g., surface-water flow and discharge.
Expected learning outcomes
To achieve the grade of pass (G) students are expected to be able to:
Module 1 ELO 1. Plan and execute an investigation examining at the chemical and physical properties of soil, ELO 2. Evaluate and visualize data from soil sampling campaigns,
Module 2 ELO 3. Plan and execute an investigation examining the chemical and physical properties of lake sediments, ELO 4. Evaluate, and visualize sediment data,
Module 3 ELO 5. Plan and execute an investigation examining groundwater levels and groundwater flow, ELO 6. Evaluate and visualize data from groundwater investigations,
Module 4 ELO 7. Plan and execute an investigation examining the chemical composition of a water sample, ELO 8. Evaluate and visualize water chemistry data,
Module 5 ELO 9. Plan and execute an investigation examining the surface-water hydrology in a watercourse, ELO 10. Evaluate, and visualize data from a surface-water hydrology investigation.
Form of instruction
The course consists of a combination of lectures and various student-active components, e.g., seminar discussions, laboratory work, exercises, and excursions. All components that are examined are mandatory.
Examination modes
For each of the five modules the examination consists of a combination of oral and/or written components (e.g., written exams, seminar discussions, oral presentation, written assignments, and mandatory excursions). If a student fails to attend an examining (mandatory) practical component of the course, the only option is for the student to retake that component the next time the course is given. To be awarded the grade pass on a specific module the student needs to be approved on all examining parts of that module. To be awarded the grade pass (G) for the entire course the student needs to receive the grade pass (G) on all five modules.
A student who has failed two tests for a course or a part of a course is entitled, unless special reasons speak against it, to have another examiner appointed after a written request to the head of department (HF chapter 6, 11b §).
Examiners may decide to deviate from the modes of assessment in the course syllabus. Individual adaption of modes of assessment must give due consideration to the student's needs. The adaption of modes of assessment must remain within the framework of the intended learning outcomes in the course syllabus. Students who require an adapted examination must submit a request to the department holding the course no later than 10 days before the examination. The examiner decides on the adaption of the examination, after which the student will be notified.
Crediting Students have the right to have their previous education or equivalent knowledge and skills acquired in the profession for evaluation as to whether it can be credited for the corresponding course at Umeå University. Application for credit is submitted to the Student Centre / Examinations. Further information on credit transfer is available on Umeå University's student web, www.student.umu.se, and the Higher Education Ordinance (Chapter 6). A refusal of accreditation may be appealed to the University Appeals Board (Higher Education Ordinance Chapter 12). This applies to the whole as well as part of the application if accreditation is refused.
Other regulations
In the event that the syllabus ceases to apply or undergoes major changes, students are guaranteed at least three examinations (including the regular examination opportunity) according to the regulations in the syllabus that the student was originally registered on for a period of a maximum of two years from the time that the previous syllabus ceased to apply or that the course ended.
Literature
The literature list is not available through the web.
Please contact the faculty.
