| Unit name | Environmental Geoscience 1 |
|---|---|
| Unit code | EASC10002 |
| Credit points | 40 |
| Level of study | C/4 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Hendy |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
N/A |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
EASC10001 Geology 1 EASC10007 Computing for Earth Scientists EASC10008 Introduction to Field Skills in Earth Sciences |
| Units you may not take alongside this one | |
| School/department | School of Earth Sciences |
| Faculty | Faculty of Science |
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. A range of issues are explored in depth, from fundamental scientific principles to assessment of options for solving environmental problems.
Lectures start 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 impact of the environment on human society is then explored by examining a range of natural hazards and how these can be monitored, assessed and their effects mitigated. Next, anthropogenic exploitation of natural resources is examined via water resources, non-renewable mineral and fossil fuel resources, including issues ranging from their origin to environmental problems associated with their extraction and utilisation. Subsequently the unit presents an overview of natural and human-induced global environmental change, including analysis of ongoing changes and implications for the future. The unit concludes with a component to develop the statistical skills necessary to provide quantitative analysis of the issues raised throughout the unit.
Practical classes provide an opportunity to examine environmental systems and problems in the field and laboratory, and students are introduced to a range of approaches to the quantitative study of environmental systems.
Fieldwork includes day-trips during term-time. You will collect data from your own laboratory experiments and work with numerical models to analyse quantitative environmental data.
Knowledge and Understanding of:
Able to:
The unit will be taught through a combination of
Students who either begin or pursue their studies in an online mode may be required to complete practical, field work, or alternative activities in person, either during the academic year 2020/21 or subsequently, in order to meet the intended learning outcomes for the unit, prepare them for subsequent units or to satisfy accreditation requirements.
Students should note that in addition to passing the summative assessment ALL formative assessment and practical work must be completed in order to be awarded the credit points for this unit.
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. EASC10002).
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.
