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The University of Northampton

UPDATE 11^TH December 2007

March seems like a lifetime ago now! I finished my exams without a hitch and managed better grades than I dared hope for. My time at Northampton culminated in out graduation ceremony on 13^th June (yes, it was a Friday), where I was awarded a BSc (Hons) First Class. It was a long and at times painful and dispiriting struggle over the course of the three years, but all that pales when you don the cap and gown and step up to receive your certificate.

My sincere thanks go out to all those who helped to support, encourage and administer a sound kick up the backside throughout the course of my degree.

Pip, my long suffering partner and rock.

Aaron & Ollie, my sons who never once doubted my abilities and who were a constant source of diversions.

My dad for believing in me and keeping my feet on the ground.

My sister Lynda and her family for always being there.

Ian Wilson for being a true friend, co-conspirator and all-round good guy – may life bring you every happiness.

Rachel, Heather and Claire – The anti-clique. You three deserve every success in the future … you rock!

My lecturers – Dr Duncan ‘Duncmeister’ McCollin
                     Dr Jeff ‘Jeffster’ Ollerton
                     John ‘The Boy’ Sinclair
                     Dr Chris ‘The Legend’ Holt
                     Dr Janet Jackson,
                     Dr Greg ‘Spelmo’ Spellman
                     Prof Ian Livingstone – hard marker extraordinaire

I count myself as very fortunate to have been guided on this journey by such a dedicated and enthusiastic bunch of academics. As I move forward into the next phase of my education, a PhD in soil science at Cranfield University, I feel confident in the knowledge that I have been given the firmest of foundations by my lecturers at Northampton, thank you.

I've just finished the second year of a BSc in Biological Conservation and Physical Geography at the University of Northampton; to say it's been hard work would be an understatement. It has, however, been a very fulfilling experience so far and I'm looking forward to my final year, albeit with some trepidation.

UPDATE 13th March 2007

Well, here we are over halfway through the third year - I've made it this far, amazing! The trepidation at the end of the second year was fully justified - I thought the second year was tough ... hah! Never mind, provided I can keep my sanity, it's only a few more weeks and then it's all over. <sighs> Roll on 11:30 on 24th May - final exam finishes, pen down and PARTY!

If anyone's interested, here are a few of my assessed pieces of work from the second year (and third year so far) ... feel free to have a gander if you wish.

Second Year Assignments & Stuff

Wicken Fen talk 02/12/2005 - To download this, right-click (or whatever it is you do with Macs) and select 'save link as' ... This is a large file (around 13Mb) so if you don't fancy downloading it, give me a CD-R next time you see me and I'll sort you a copy. Otherwise, I'll bring it in on my memory thingy and you can copy it off that :)

Dallington Brook study - a poster presentation entitled 'The response of macroinvertebrate communities to sediment clearance in a small canalised stream' (requires PowerPoint) (Grade A-)

USA Field Course; 27th March - 6th April 2006 - A presentation on the importance of structural geology in the areas visited (requires PowerPoint). (Grade A-)

Phase 1 Habitat Report - a survey carried out in the shelterbelt and ski-slope area of the University of Northampton, Park Campus. (Grade A)

Grassland Literature Review - I've re-formatted this one for ease of reading, however, the initial brief was that the review had to be no more than 2 sides of A4 including references of which there were to be 20! (Grade A+)

Third Year Assignments

Salamandridae Poster (Grade A-)

Something in the air? - A look at the possible causes of the onset of Quaternary glaciation (in the style of a New Scientist article) (Grade A)

Building Bridges - Ecological networks (in the style of a New Scientist article) (Grade A-)

Water Demand Essay - 'To what extent should water managers continue to satisfy society’s demands for water or attempt to constrain demand?' (Grade A)

Dissertation Presentation - 'Factors affecting the plant community composition of a lowland valley mire.'

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Last updated 11 December 2007