| Unit name | Oceans and Climates |
|---|---|
| Unit code | EASC30071 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Professor. Robinson |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
EASC10002 Environmental Geoscience 1 EASC20038 Analytical Geochemistry EASC20043 Geochemistry 1 Students who wish to choose this unit as an option but have not taken the pre-requisite units, in particular Environmental Geoscience 1 and Geochemistry 1, will be expected to undertake some preparatory work before the unit commences. You should speak to the unit director for guidance before being registered on the unit. |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
N/A |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
N/A |
| School/department | School of Earth Sciences |
| Faculty | Faculty of Science |
Why is this unit important?
This unit brings together physical, chemical and biological aspects of oceanography, and the role played by oceans in climate change in the past, modern and future Earth system. This topic is central to understanding the pressures on our planet today.
At the end of the unit students will have an appreciation of the drivers of ocean circulation in a changing world and the interactions with biogeochemical cycling with implications for the global carbon cycle. They will explore methods for quantifying the rates of processes operating in the ocean system and consider aspects of the ocean-atmosphere system that are relevant to climate change on the Earth on timescales of 100 years to 100 million years.
During the course students will have an opportunity to explore up-to-date research and the topics which they find most exciting. They will use this exploration to develop their skills in synthesis, data analysis and communication to inform their knowledge of the ocean-climate system.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
Oceans and Climates is a key topic of Earth Science. The course builds on prior learning in Years 1 and 2, providing a firm foundation for students to engage with current issues and debates.
An overview of content
This unit brings together physical, chemical and biological aspects of oceanography, and the role played by oceans in climate change in the past, modern and future Earth system. This topic is central to understanding the pressures on our planet today.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit?
Students will have the opportunity to explore and discuss current topics in Oceans and Climates. This will allow them to develop a new understanding and appreciation for scientific research and the future directions of the field.
Learning Outcomes
The unit will be taught through a combination of
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative)
Attendance and engagement with Lectures, Online Materials, Discussions and Practicals.
Formative oral feedback available in all Practicals and at Office Hours
Formative written feedback on Practice Essay during First part of course
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Assessment is coursework (100%). The coursework is a 3,000 word written report
When assessment does not go to plan
The University’s Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes outline the requirements for progression on and completion of degree programmes. Students who miss an exam and self-certify their absence may complete a supplementary assessment for an uncapped mark as if taken for the first time. Resit and supplementary exams are habitually taken during the reassessment period later in the summer. As far as is practicable and appropriate, resit and supplementary assessments will be in the same form as the original assessment but will always test the same intended learning outcomes as the initial missed or failed assessment. In the case of group work, failure by a whole group would result in an appropriate group task being set and reassessed for all group members. If a single student fails a group assessment or is unable to participate for an evidenced reason, an individual reassessment will be set.
There are rigorous and fair procedures in place to support students who are ill or whose studies and assessments are affected by exceptional circumstances.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. EASC30071).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an
assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
