Dr Meriel FitzPatrick

Teaching interests

I am involved primarily with the planning and delivering of tutorials for 1st and 2nd year Geology and Earth Science students.  The tutorials concentrate on general skills (e.g.finding information, sumarising data, writing essays, making presentations etc.) which the students need for their university career.  I also introduce and follow up the development of a PDP in the tutorials. 

 I have extensive teaching experience at undergraduate level in various aspects of geology and on the Micropalaeontology M.Sc. course at Plymouth. This has involved the preparation and presentation of lectures and practical classes in palaeontology, palynology and sedimentology.   I also assist in the running of residential field-trips and local day trips for Stage 1 and 2 geoscience students. I have advised on final year students’ projects where my expertise has been appropriate. My main role recently has been to plan and deliver tutorial modules for Stage 1and 2 geoscience students, developing students’ skills and learning strategies for university.  I am Module Leader for four of these modules, being responsible for the smooth running, delivery and administration of them.  I really enjoy engaging with the students and building up a rapport with them.  I am active in helping the University with its outreach activities, running workshops/lectures for schools and have organised displays and exhibits for Explore the Outdoors (March 2010) and talks/workshops for National Science and Engineering Week (2008 - 2010).  Working with the next generation of scientists is very rewarding and I hope to inspire at least some of them.