Fieldclasses, field work and research skills

Level 1

In the first year, all students take at least one module involving fieldwork, as part of skills training that covers the range of research skills you can develop over your degree, including statistical approaches. These provide basic training in research skills, data collection, and data analysis/presentation, mostly through learning-by-doing, often in the field.

Practical Methods for Physical Geography (GEO150)
This module provides basic training in several key laboratory and field methods. This is provided via a series of integrated field work days and laboratory practical sessions. These demonstrate the importance of laboratory and field experimentation within modern physical geography enquiry, and provide hands-on experience of data collection, synthesis and presentation within the context of geomorphology.

Qualitative Methods in Human Geography (GEO151)
In this module, you will be introduced to the use of qualitative methods in human geography, focusing on interviewing, observation and visual methodologies. Mostly you will do this through undertaking fieldwork tasks that help you to get to know Sheffield, and to think about it, in ways that most students at the University never experience.
For example, through doing group walks into parts of the city you would probably not otherwise visit lets you try out observation, one of the oldest techniques of geographical research, as a research method. Learning about current approaches to analysing images, through visual techniques, works with representations of the city.

Level 2

In your second year, research training is largely aimed at getting you prepared for your dissertation research project, undertaken over the summer at the end of level two, and completed in your final year. Both modules emphasise method-based fieldwork, with students learning the procedures of research, and in doing so gaining valuable transferable skills.

Research Design in Physical Geography (GEO263)
The ability to undertake independent research is a key skill in a Geography degree and in many areas of future employment. This module focuses on the philosophical background to undertaking research and on providing practical experience in undertaking small research projects. This includes a week-long fieldclass in the Lake District which involves students being taught basic research skills in fluvial geomorphology, climatology, wetlands, slopes, soils and vegetation analysis before undertaking (in small teams) research themselves. Accommodation is based at Blencathra near Keswick.

Research Design in Human Geography (GEO264)
This module enables you to design your dissertation research project. This means thinking through how methods you have learned so far can be used in a project which is designed to answer research questions. Over the semester you will participate in lectures and workshops covering topics like identification of a topic of study, formulating research questions and linking them to methods, and conducting a literature review. Most of the work of the module is developing a proposal for your dissertation project, supported by a member of staff who works with you as your supervisor.

In addition, there are a variety of optional supplementary research skills modules available at level 2, including:

• Geographic Information Systems
• Applied Remote Sensing
• Socio-spatial Analysis
• Environmental Modelling
• Researching Human Geographies

Level 3 International Field Classes

One of the Department's key priorities in recent years has been the development of a suite of optional international fieldtrip modules at Level 3. We believe that these advanced, final-year field modules, with their in-depth, focused nature, offer participating students high-quality and high-value learning experiences.

Geography of Europe Fieldclass (GEO358)
This module includes a week-long residential fieldclass, currently in Athens, introducing issues of urban renewal and the impact of mega-events such as the Olympic Games, gentrification, immigration and ethnic minorities, edge cities, and island economies. Students undertake a two-day team project.

Dryland Environments Fieldclass (GEO365)
This module includes a ten-day fieldclass in the Mojave Desert, California. Students undertake a number of field exercises (2 days), and work in teams investigating the fundamental geomorphology of arid environments and the pressures placed on the environment by human activity (5 days). Students also get the opportunity to explore Death Valley and the wider Mojave Desert environment (2 days), and often have the opportunity to stay on in California after the fieldclass.

Urban Fieldclass (GEO364)
This module is based upon a week-long fieldclass in New York. Students begin with three days of a mix of directed and individual exploration, followed by another three days of individual research projects, reflecting themes such as architecture, space and power, the city and artistic practice, and social identities and practices.

Development Geographies Fieldclass (GEO367)
This module is based around a ten-day fieldclass in Kenya, providing students with the opportunity to explore and research 'grass-roots' development issues in the field. Students drawn from both physical and human geography undertake project work on key issues at the environment/development interface.