Unit information: Environment Earth in 2016/17

Unit name	Environment Earth
Unit code	EASC10004
Credit points	20
Level of study	C/4
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director	Dr. Hendy
Open unit status	Open
Pre-requisites	n/a
Co-requisites	n/a
School/department	School of Earth Sciences
Faculty	Faculty of Science

Description including Unit Aims

This unit provides an overview of the natural environment that we inhabit, particularly the processes that shape the evolution of our environment, both past and future, the effect of the environment on society and the effects of human activities on our environment. This unit explores a range of issues in depth, from fundamental scientific principles to assessment of options for solving environmental problems. There are no practical classes or fieldwork. This unit is not available to Single Honours Geographers.

Aims:

To provide an overview of the natural environment that we inhabit, particularly the processes that shape the evolution of our environment, both past and future, the effect of the environment on society and the effects of human activities on our environment. This unit explores a range of issues in depth, from fundamental scientific principles to assessment of options for solving environmental problems.

The unit starts with a discussion of the global geophysical and biogeochemical cycles that operate on the Earth and control the large-scale behaviour of the atmosphere, hydrosphere and cryosphere and the cycling of energy, water, carbon and nitrogen. The theme of human society and environment is then explored by examining a range of natural hazards and how these can be monitored, assessed and their effects mitigated. Next, interaction of human society and the environment is examined via non-renewable mineral and fossil fuel resources, including issues ranging from their origin to environmental problems associated with their extraction and utilisation. Renewable resources are then discussed, focusing first on alternative energy sources and secondly on water resources. Finally, the unit concludes with an overview of natural and human-induced global environmental change, including analysis of ongoing changes and implications for the future.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding of:

• the natural environment that we inhabit, particularly the processes that shape the evolution of our environment, both past and future,
• the effect of the environment on society and the effects of human activities on our environment.
• a range of issues from fundamental scientific principles to assessment of options for solving environmental problems.
• global geophysical and biogeochemical cycles that operate on the Earth and control the large-scale behaviour of the atmosphere, hydrosphere and cryosphere and the cycling of energy, water, carbon and nitrogen.
• natural hazards and how these can be monitored, assessed and their effects mitigated.
• interaction of human society and the environment via non-renewable mineral and fossil fuel resources, including issues ranging from their origin to environmental problems associated with their extraction and utilisation.
• alternative energy sources and secondly on water resources.
• natural and human-induced global environmental change, including analysis of ongoing changes and implications for the future.

Able to:

• critically evaluate arguments, assumptions, abstract concepts and data, to frame appropriate questions and make judgements, to achieve a solution - or identify a range of solutions - to a problem;
• evaluate one's own progress and performance.

Teaching Information

This comprises the Environment Earth series of 72 lectures, with tutorials and directed reading. There are no practicals or fieldwork.

Assessment Information

Environment Earth (EASC 10004, 20cp) 25% from a January progress exam (1 hour), 75% from the summer exam (2 hours).

Reading and References

Essential

• Bryants, E. Natural Hazards. Cambridge University Press, 2005;

• Henderson, P. and Henderson, G.M. The Cambridge Handbook of Earth Science Data. Cambridge University Press, 2009;

• Kump, L.R., Kasting J.F. & Crane, R.G. The Earth System . Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2010;

• Lambourne, R and Tinker, M. Basic Mathematics for the Physical Sciences.Wiley Blackwell, 2000;

• Porteous, A. Dictionary of Environmental Science and Technology (4th ed.). Wiley, 2008;

Background reading

• Alexander, D. Natural disasters. UCL Press-Chapman and Hall, 1993;

• Bennett, M.R. & Doyle, P. Environmental Geology: Geology and the Human Environment. Wiley, 1997;

• Miller, G.T. Jr. Living in the environment: principles, connections, and solutions (13th ed.). Brooks/Cole, 2003;

• Skinner, B.J. & Murck, B.W., The Blue Planet: an introduction to Earth System Science (3rd ed.). Wiley, 2003.