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ACM41960

Academic Year 2026/2027

Physical Met Field Trip (ACM41960)

Subject:
Applied & Computational Maths
College:
Science
School:
Mathematics & Statistics
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor Conor Sweeney
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
Module Type:
Fieldwork Module
How will I be graded?
Pass/Fail (GPA Neutral)

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module is for the field trip to Met Éireann’s Valentia Observatory, in Caherciveen, County Kerry. The module is aimed at students who have previously completed the Physical Meteorology module. The field trip will take place during the 2 week fieldwork period of the Spring term. Staff at the Observatory will deliver a range of lectures on topics including surface weather and upper-air meteorological measurements, as well as a wide range of other scientific activities including ozone monitoring, geomagnetics, seismology, solar radiation and environmental monitoring. Students will also undertake a weather hike, taking weather observations during the hike. Students will be given weather analysis tasks to complete during the trip, and will need to give a presentation based on their work on the last day of the trip.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this field trip, students should be able to:
- explain the purpose and applications of the different observations and research activities taking place in the Valentia Observatory
- explain how each of the measurement instruments work
- deliver a comprehensive weather analysis, based on readings from multiple different sources

Indicative Module Content:

Lectures on different meteorological instruments.
Radiosonde data analysis
Weather hike, taking meteorological observations.

UNESCO highlights a set of key competencies that support individuals in their development and support society in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UCD has adapted these competencies and is combining them with others to form a general framework of learning competencies. This module will help you develop the competencies below to the levels specified. 
Learning Competency Additional Information Level

Collaboration

 The ability to learn from others; to understand and respect the needs, perspectives and actions of others (empathy); to understand, relate to and be sensitive to others (empathic leadership); to deal with conflicts in a group; and to facilitate collaborative and participatory problem solving. Competent

Systems Thinking

 The ability to recognize and understand relationships; to analyse complex systems; to think of how systems are embedded within different domains and different scales; and to deal with uncertainty. Competent

Anticipatory

 The ability to understand and evaluate multiple scenarios for the future – possible, probable and desirable; to create one’s own visions for the future; to apply the precautionary principle; to assess the consequences of actions; and to deal with risks and changes. Competent

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

9
Small Group

3
Field Trip/External Visits

12
Specified Learning Activities

9
Autonomous Student Learning

70
Total

103

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
active/task-based learning
peer and group work
lectures
case-based learning
student presentations

AI Collaboration: AI may be used during initial research plus drafting, feedback, and refinement. Students should critically evaluate and modify the AI suggested outputs, demonstrating their understanding.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Individual Project: Deliver a presentation of a comprehensive weather analysis, based on readings from multiple different sources, and answer any relevant questions .
 Week 8, Week 9 Pass/Fail Grade Scale Yes
100
 Yes

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Remediation Type Remediation Timing
In-Module Resit Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Peer review activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

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