This unit provides students with an understanding of the basic principles of field research that are of importance in environmental studies including physical geographyand planning. After completing preliminary readings and exercises, the practical focus of the unit will be a six-day coastal field school which will include field note taking, field use of maps and air photos, field measurement, site surveys, advanced plan making, cartographic and GIS skills. Attendance at the field school is mandatory and students will be required to cover associated costs. Wherever possible, the appropriate context for the skills will be established in the field (such as in an exercise on the documentation of a coastal site).