ESC-20100 - Water in the Environment
Coordinator: Katie Szkornik Room: WSF28 Tel: +44 1782 7 33614
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 5
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 733615

Programme/Approved Electives for 2022/23

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

N/A

Barred Combinations

N/A

Description for 2022/23


Aims
This module aims to provide an overview of the role of water in the Earth system by examining the global hydrological cycle, and the basic chemical and physical properties of water. It explores key charateristics, concepts and processes, and their variations in space and time, within the context of different Earth systems (e.g., water on land, in the oceans, in the atmosphere, and in the cryosphere). It aims to introduce students to the need for responsible and sustainable use of our global water resources, and how to manage water in the environment to this affect.

Intended Learning Outcomes

describe the global hydrological cycle, and the basic chemical and physical properties of water: 1,2
describe and explain the temporal and spatial variations in water characteristics and processes in different environmental systems on Earth: 1,2
present, interpret and analyse quantitative data in order to provide an overview of the current characteristics of one area of the Earth's oceans or seas: 1
present, interpret and analyse quantitative data in order to provide an overview of the physical, hydrological and chemical characteristics of a chosen river: 2

Study hours

24 hrs active learning sessions (e.g., flipped classroom approaches, in-class discusions, small group work and activities, coursework workshops)
48 hrs of preparation and follow up for active learning sessions (x 2 per week)
78 hrs of coursework preparation and completion

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Report weighted 50%
Technical Report - Water in the Oceans
Students are required to write a technical report of up to 1500 words, on the current characteristics of one area of the World¿s oceans or seas (students choose their study area from a list of options). Students are required to select, download, interpret and discuss open-access scientific data (temperature and salinity) relating to their chosen study area. Full guidance on the structure and focus of the technical report will be provided in the module handbook.

2: Report weighted 50%
Technical Report - Water on Land
Students are required to write a technical report of up to 1500 words, on the physical, hydrological and chemical characteristics of a local river. Students are required to select, download, interpret and discuss open-access scientific data (from Digimap, the National River Flow Archive and the Environment Agency, as appropriate) relating to their chosen river. Full guidance on the structure and focus of the technical report will be provided in the module handbook.