I originally trained as a geologist and then specialised in organic geochemistry. I mostly teach undergraduate students field and laboratory practical skills in both geography and geology, allowing students to put into practice the theory they have learnt in lectures. My main research is in palaeoenvironmental reconstruction particularly of Quaternary sediments.
The module considers the impacts of physical geography processes on human habitation and how humans might mitigate against the effects of nature's extreme events. It also examines the complex issues surrounding human impacts on the landscape. Foundation Physical & Environmental Geography will pave the way for students to study Geography at Level 4 (Year 1). This module complements topics taught in the Foundation Human Geography module (GE-008), to give an understanding of physical geography and the environment.
This module provides training in key practical skills and concepts of field data collection for geology, human and physical geography students. The module consists of two parts, each of which comprises 50% of the module mark. The first is common to all students, and the second is determined by the student¿s degree specialism (human geography, physical geography or geology). Main component - common to all students Here we learn skills and concepts that are fundamental to your geography degree and aim to begin to prepare you for fieldwork aspects of your dissertation project. These include mapwork skills, awareness of data uncertainty, and applying geographical knowledge to real world situations. Next we will look at sea-level change and its impacts on communities and ecosystems. During classroom sessions we will consider the causes of sea-level change and how it is measured. We use the technique of Stakeholder Analysis to look at the economic and social impacts of sea-level change in different regions. We will then undergo local visits to explore the potential impacts of sea level to our locality and on our coastal university. We¿ll look at both urban and rural environments and different mitigation policies that may be used. Degree specialism Geology The module develops geological fieldwork skills through 2 intensive day field classes and one intensive field weekend (Friday and Saturday). Field classes will introduce key aspects of geology in the field, including a variety of rock types, folds and faults, fossils and field relations, as well as developing skills such as keeping a field notebook, making a field sketch, using a compass-clinometer to measure rock surface orientations, manipulation of structural data, sediment logging and correlation and lateral variation. This collected field data will be assessed through a geological report in order to synthesize this field data.
Geology is the study of the composition and history of planet Earth and the processes that operate within the planet and on its surface. This module provides an overview of geology, with a strong emphasis on practical and fieldwork. By the end of the module, you will be able to identify minerals and rocks and know how to interpret them to understand the behaviour of volcanoes and earthquakes, and the formation of mountain belts. Teaching through lectures is supplemented by regular practical classes and field classes. This module is accessible to all students, no previous experience of geology is needed.
The module is concerned with identifying and defining geographical questions within the Vancouver and southern British Columbia context and applying relevant geographical skills, knowledge and techniques to these questions. The general aims are to observe, analyse and achieve an understanding of the varied geographical landscape and inherent features of Vancouver and southern British Columbia. Students taking this module will gain experience in research design, methodologies, data analysis and presentation methods, including seminars, posters and reports. Students taking this field course focus on either the physical or human geography on the region and conduct project work appropriate to their specialism. The module comprises preparatory lectures in Swansea during teaching block 2 and a two-week field course, which typically runs in the last week of teaching block 2 into the first week of the Easter vacation.
This core module introduces a variety of human geography methods, along with data analysis. The module is divided into 3 parts. The first part is Data Analysis, the second part is how to conduct surveys and questionnaires and use secondary data and the third part is ethnography and how to conduct focus groups and interviews. The module builds upon student knowledge and covers research design, data collection and data analysis. Students are introduced to a range of research methods used in human geography along with statistical analysis. They gain experience in describing, interpreting and presenting the results.
This core module introduces a variety of environmental and physical geography methods, along with data analysis. The module is divided into 3 parts: The first part is Data Analysis; the second part one of 3 projects to be taken in the first semester and the third part, one of 3 projects undertaken in the second semester. The module builds upon student knowledge and covers research design, data collection and data analysis. They gain experience in describing, interpreting and presenting the results.
In this module, students will journey through 4.6 billion years of Earth¿s history, exploring how the planet, and its life, have evolved throughout geological time. They will learn about how the Earth¿s surface and environments have been shaped through major earth events, shifting tectonic plates, evolution of life, and mass extinctions. They will study the formation and break-up of continents over time, mountain building events, changing environments, and how these events have shaped the planet we live on today, both on a global perspective and in the context of the British Isles. Students will gain an understanding of how these changes are evidenced in the geological record in rocks and fossils. The module will be delivered via a combination of lectures, laboratory classes and field classes. Laboratory classes will provide both theoretical and practical experience of the subject. Fieldwork will develop your ability to observe, measure, interpret, and record geological features, providing core geoscientific skills essential for interpreting Earth¿s history.
