ESC-10048 - 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

This module provides an overview and considers interactions between the Earth¿s major systems, including the solid earth (geosphere), biosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere, and how they combine in terms of their physical, geochemical and environmental processes. The module also covers some of the anthropogenic causes of global environmental change and the need to mitigate the predicted effects in terms of the sustainable use and development of the planet. It also helps students gain useful experience of a range of employability skills within a geoscience context.

To provide an overview and consider interactions between all of the Earth's major systems, including the geosphere, atmosphere, biosphere and hydrosphere.

Intended Learning Outcomes

demonstrate knowledge of the underlying concepts and principles associated with all of the Earth's major systems: 1,2,3,4
understand and evaluate the role of society on global change as well as have an appreciation of the need for the sustainable use of natural resources: 1,2,3,4
further develop their IT and writing skills through practical work and coursework assignments: 1,2,3
show knowledge and understanding of the relationships between past, present and future changes on Earth and their relationship to perturbations of its Systems and interactions between Systems: 1,2,3,4

Study hours

24 hours scheduled synchronous class activity
12 hours structured engagement with online resources and directed research
6 hours completion of spreadsheet-based box modelling assignment
30 hours research and completion of computer-based presentation
30 hours research and completion of review article
30 hours revision and completion of class test
18 hours flexible independent study (e.g. background reading)

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment