AESC30250
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Academic Year 2025/2026
Environmental Data and Modelling (AESC30250)
Subject: : Agricultural&Environmental Sci
College: : Health & Agricultural Sciences
School: : Agriculture & Food Science
Level: : 3 (Degree)
Credits: : 5
Module Coordinator: : Dr Magdalena Necpalova
Trimester: : Autumn
Mode of Delivery: : On Campus
Internship Module: : No
How will I be graded? : Letter grades
Curricular information is subject to change.
The first part of this module is designed to introduce students to general data management, handling and visualization, and basic statistics as applied to environmental data. \ The second part of the module provides an introduction to environmental modelling in the context of agricultural systems, with special focus on carbon and nitrogen cycles. It covers the general background and principles of modelling biogeochemistry (e.g., plant growth and development, soil carbon and nitrogen dynamics and soil greenhouse gas emissions) with a focus on the understanding of the process-based ecosystem model DayCent and its site level application as a practical case study.\ The aim of the module is to advance students' data management skills as well as to provide theoretical and practical knowledge of ecosystem process-based modelling of agroecosystems.\
About this Module
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What will I learn?
Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this module students should be able to:\ \ Handle, manage and visualize environmental data using an Excel \ Apply ANOVA and linear regression analysis to experimental data in SPSS software\ Conduct a DayCent modelling project considering model assumptions and limitations (from establishing the research question, modelling approach, to designing modelling scenarios, and interpretation of the results)\ Critically evaluate the model performance \ Set up, execute and compare outputs for modelling scenarios\ \
How will I learn?
Student Effort Hours:
| Student Effort Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Specified Learning Activities | 67 |
| Autonomous Student Learning | 25 |
| Lectures | 11 |
| Computer Aided Lab | 22 |
| --- | --- |
| Total | 125 |
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Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The module consists of lectures and exercises, covering both the theoretical background and practical application of data analysis and agroecosystem modelling. The level of students’ understanding and skills gained from the lectures and exercises will be continuously evaluated et the end of each exercise session. The content of the lectures and the speed of delivery will be fine-tuned to the students’ needs. Short video tutorials will assist students to learn modelling skills and solve technical problems more independently and thus will improve students’ overall performance and module time management. Flipped classroom teaching strategy (i.e., instructional assignments) will be employed to better meet the needs of individual students.\
Am I eligible to take this module?
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:\
Students signing up for this module as an Elective should have a strong interest in data analysis and modelling of agroecosystem processes.
\
Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module. \ \
How will I be assessed?
Assessment Strategy
| Description | Timing | Component Scale | Must Pass Component | % of Final Grade | In Module Component Repeat Offered |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Individual Project: Final project is a written report on the module project at the end of trimester. It includes introduction, material & methods, results, discussion of the results, conclusions and references | Week 15 | Graded | No | 40 | No |
| Individual Project: Presentation of the student final project providing information about the objective, hypotheses, modelling/statistical approach and preliminary results. | Week 12 | Graded | No | 30 | No |
| Quizzes/Short Exercises: Reports on exercises during the semester | Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9 | Pass/Fail Grade Scale | No | 30 | No |
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Carry forward of passed components
Yes
\
What happens if I fail?
| Resit In | Terminal Exam |
|---|---|
| Spring | No |
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. \
Assessment feedback
Feedback Strategy/Strategies
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment\ • Group/class feedback, post-assessment\
How will my Feedback be Delivered?
On weekly reports - Group/class feedback, post-assessment in the following week On presentations - Individually to students, post-assessment On final project report - Group/class feedback, post-assessment
When is this module offered?
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
| Autumn | Lecture | Offering 1 | Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks | Mon 10:00 - 10:50 |
| Autumn | Computer Aided Lab | Offering 1 | Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks | Mon 11:00 - 12:50 |
| Autumn | Computer Aided Lab | Offering 2 | Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks | Mon 11:00 - 12:50 |