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SPRING 2012017777 Leaves & Leather IIISSUEISSUE 22 The Newsletter ooff Bath Spa University’s Environmental Science and Biology awards In this issue: Leaves & Leather hat-trick! Campus biodiversity This issue makes it three in a row; three issues each of an impressive 36 pages. It’s most gratifying to see how we’ve grown from a modest 6 pages at birth in 2007. But, that growth Alumni Profiles (2, 9, is only possible with YOUR contributions. So, students and staff colleagues, read this issue 15, 18, 21, 26, 36) and become inspired to offer something for the next issue – copy due late August 2017. Kilimanjaro! Life on Newton Park Small World Initiative Hello, Bath Spa students and staff from a cold and snowy Boston, Massachusetts! Last The Quarry Life December I returned home to America from my study abroad at Bath Spa University where for three months I lived on the beautiful Newton Park as an international student. Although I’m an Marinated Mexico American continuing my degree in History, thanks to taking a 20 credit Biology module [BY4502 A rum do… Biodiversity and Conservation] I found myself increasingly interested in biodiversity and life on lovely Newton Park. Wise plants Towards the middle of term, often times following hours of study when my concentration had Hospital placement inevitably slipped, I would pause, look around the classroom or library, and think to myself, Wise animals “When was the last time I got outside?” My vitamin D levels had surely plummeted, my lungs were thirsty for fresh countryside air… So, equipped with waterproof shoes and an unceasing Likin’ the Lake District curiosity, I stepped out onto Newton Park. Himalayan highlights My biology module inspired me to be more interested in biodiversity. On my daily walks around Barnacle and campus I began to study the variations of life and realized that Bath Spa University is steeped in bacterium in Oz biodiversity, containing a variety of important habitats and species waiting to be explored. One particularly diverse spot, the Lakeside Walk, is a popular, dirt footpath winding around Fish African cheetah tale Pond where students walk and many species live. Near to the water’s edge mother and father The moss’s tale… mallard ducks can be seen leading their ducklings into the water to share the pond with beautiful white swans. Overhead wind blows crisp, autumn air through deciduous angiosperms Kenya Red Cross encouraging them in their hour of abscission to ornate the footpath in orange, auburn and gold. Better yet, occupying a prime piece a property, a community of badgers reside within a Indonesia, down under waterfront sett located between the boathouse and bat shed. All species here exist in harmony. Meet the staff… Next, continuing straight up the Lakeside Walk, there is another particularly diverse site. This Bats, badgers, boots… side of campus contains the greenhouse, a robust garden by the Biology buildings, bat 21 st century silk residences, cows and sheep. Situated adjacent to the Castle there is a notable roost of Lesser Horseshoe Bats (Rhinolophus hipposideros ) in the gatehouse. This bat is a Protected Species in Alpine cycle ride Great Britain and Newton Park has conscientiously added bat boxes to various trees in this area for the bat populations. Nearby to the bats live the sheep who spend their days grazing in the Another rum do… field beside dozens of cows – both dairy and beef cattle. The cows on Newton Park are extremely docile; however, do take caution when crossing the field via the paved footpath because two bulls do graze there. All in all, Bath Spa University’s Newton Park is a phenomenal space. I’m glad I was lucky enough to discover the biodiversity on campus through my walks. My time here in England has been all I could have asked for – and more! I advise anyone who may get stressed to take a seat at the foot of a friendly oak tree, inhale the clean countryside air, watch the bats flap across the evening sky, and listen to the cows across the road moo. But, above all, take in the biodiversity of this amazing campus. Caitlin Sheridan Leaves & Leather Page 2 Kirstie Thistlethwaite [BSc. (Hons) Env. Sci., 2016] What have you done since graduating? like sardines in a tin. Typically, i n a two -week I decided that my three years of hard work period I have four to six 9-5 hour days. weren’t enough and embarked on a Masters course. Before starting this programme, I Most favourite part of your current job? enjoyed moving into a new home in Bath and The diversity of people in my class. Our had a wonderful holiday in Adelboden cohort is 39 strong, of which 36 are (Switzerland) with the Girl Guides from my international students from Mexico, China, home town. Spain, Greece, Paraguay, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Pakistan. The group is also What is your current ‘job’? formed of a range of academic backgrounds, I am currently working towards an MSc in from Geography to Hydraulic Engineering. Water and Environmental Management at the This diversity makes the classroom extremely University of Bristol interesting as we learn new things about each [http://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/ other’s cultures, countries and academic 2017/eng/msc-water-environmental- experiences. I am also looking forward to management/ ]. The course is unique because “I am currently travelling and visiting everyone’s home working towards an of the way the modules are run; there are 10 countries once we have completed the MSc in Water and modules in total, including a dissertation and course. Environmental two optional modules. Each of the nine minor Management at the modules runs for two weeks only, meaning that … least favourite part? University of we complete all of our learning, as well as MATLAB!!! This is the numerical and Bristol.” assessments, within that time. This structure statistical analysis program we have learnt to means the course is highly intensive requiring a code so we can use it to model fast application of new knowledge and skills. environmental systems, such as a river “Typically, in a two- Core course modules are: Numerical Analysis catchment. Although this is a valuable skill to week period I have using MATLAB; Introduction to Environmental have, it was (and still is…), a hard piece of four to six 9-5 hour Statistics using MATLAB; Research Skills; software to get to grips with. And the exams! days. ” Terrestrial Hydrometeorology; Surface and Groundwater Hydrology; Environmental How Bath Spa prepare you for employment? Management, Policy and Regulation; Research Top advice for Studying Environmental Science gave me a current Bath Spa Skills 2: Literature Review; Masters wide range of knowledge concerning the Biologists/Environm Dissertation. environment and how it works. This has given ental Scientists? Optional modules are: Integrated Catchment me the perfect foundation for my master’s “Take all the Management; Environmental Systems and course to build on and given me more opportunities you can Ecosystems services; Water Resources specialised skills in the field of hydrology. to gain experience in Engineering Being a scientist has also allowed me to have the field and the real a different perspective on topics in the course world. Learning all the Typical day in the current job... than those who have come from an theory is great, but it As I still live in Bath, my day begins with a 6:30 engineering background; this often leads to is even more am alarm and the 7:38 train from Oldfield Park interesting class discussions. important to be able station to Bristol Temple Meads, followed by a to implement it in the walk through Bristol up the hill that is Park Best memory of your time at Bath Spa? real environment. It is Street and into Queen’s Building which holds The fieldtrips! My favourite was India,. the real-world the Faculty of Engineering. Our days are 9 to 5 Studying the Beas River in Himachal Pradesh experience that I draw when in class: usually a 9-10.30 lecture, a cemented my interest in water as a hazard to upon daily in my break, a 11-1 lecture, a lunch break, and either master course.” both people and the environment. I have another lecture, a seminar or an assessment. great memories of hiking through the Solang After the long day, it’s a walk to catch the 17.49 and Upper Beas Valley in the lower Himalaya train home on which passengers usually feel admiring the river and mountains. Leaves & Leather Page 3 Going up in the world [Part 1] “In October 2016 we made the decision to climb up Kilimanjaro .” “Overall, our group raised more than £51,000 for Dig Deep. ” “let's just say that health and safety In October 2016 we made the decision to climb up Kilimanjaro for the charity Dig Deep regulations on [http://www.digdeep.org.uk/ ]. Located in northern Tanzania, Kilimanjaro – also known as the Kenyan buses aren’t roof of Africa – is the highest free-standing mountain in the world, at 5895 metres (19,340 feet). the same as the To complete this challenge, we first had a fundraising target of £3000. We achieved this by doing UK…” a number of fundraising events both at university and at home, including bag-packing at local supermarkets, pub quizzes/raffles, and selling bacon baps to other students. Overall, our group raised more than £51,000 for Dig Deep. The charity uses the funds in building projects and to “Whilst on the buses provide sustainable clean water sources and sanitation for schools in rural Africa, and to train we were able to see the community in hygiene.