Lectures/seminars/tutorials/practicals: Lectures will be delivered, either online or in-person on campus, if situation permits. Asynchronous (pre-recorded) material may be made available online for students to support the lectures, and as part of a self-directed and independent learning activity. If feasible, some tutorials/seminar and practical sessions will be delivered in-person on campus, otherwise they will be delivered synchronously online (live), or asynchronously through the provision of pre-recorded video materials.
As in previous years, the MSc is “block taught”, that is, modules are taught intensely over specific few weeks which enables students to manage their work and study commitments. Students can expect to attend at least 6 hours per block (BSc top-up) of in person on campus seminars/tutorials/practical sessions (access to campus permitting and in accordance with the up-to-date social distancing requirements).
Fieldtrips and site visits: These activities will take place with social distancing rules followed. If an activity cannot run in-person, then a virtual activity will be provided.
Summer school: A residential five-day summer school at HR Wallingford is scheduled to run in June 2022. If COVID restrictions prevent the Summer School from taking place, students will be given an alternative assessment to complete.
Support resources: Online teaching and learning will use conferencing tools such as Blackboard Collaborate/MS Teams/Zoom. If computing labs need to be delivered online, then students will be provided with access to the specialised software required via the University “Horizon” system.
Assessments: Will be undertaken using a variety of formats as appropriate, including on-campus in-person exams, digital exams, on-line presentations, written reports with on-line submission. Revision sessions will be conducted to help students prepare for and complete the assessments.