ESC-10039 - Module Specification
School of Geography, Geology and the Environment
Faculty of Natural Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None.

Barred Combinations

None.

Description for 2024/25

Why do Earth's landscapes look and behave the way they do? Why are there mountains and rivers and glaciers? Why does it rain? Why is sea level rising? Covering topics such as climate change, landscapes, ecosystems, sea level, glaciers and coastal environments, this module offers a self-contained introduction to physical geography for students from a variety of backgrounds (including students with no previous experience in the subject). The module also provides a foundation in the subject for students who wish to pursue it to a higher level. The main learning outcomes for the successful student will be: knowledge and understanding of core material in Physical Geography; appreciation of the dynamic and research-based nature of the discipline; the ability to use geographical evidence to explain features of the physical environment.

The module aims to provide a self-contained introduction to physical geography for students from a variety of backgrounds, including those with no previous experience in the subject, and to provide a foundation in the subject for those students who wish to pursue it at a higher level.

Intended Learning Outcomes

briefly explain important concepts in Physical Geography, including the dynamic, plural and contested nature of the discipline and the contribution of research to the development of knowledge, recognising the importance of clear, concise writing in science: 1
identify and describe major components of the Earth's physical-geographic systems, including patterns of variation in the global environment and connections between global systems and local landscapes: 1
combine different types of geographical evidence in order to describe and explain phenomena of the physical environment in a variety of written styles appropriate to the discipline: 1,2
carry out independent reflections, personal research and other self-guided activities to supplement the module's core content, and curate these into a reflective log that demonstrates their ability to elaborate on basic knowledge by the thoughtful selection of extra activities or case-study research: 2

Study hours

22 hours (11 x 2) scheduled class meetings
55 hours (5 for each of the live classes) working on online resources or doing set readings in preparation for or follow-up from the class.
38 hours working week-by-week on the reflective log book activities and completing the write-up
35 hours independent research for the essay, and writing the essay

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment