School of Physical and Geographical Sciences  
 
 
ESC-10044 Introduction to Environment and Sustainability  
Co-ordinator: Dr Zoe Robinson    Room: WSF24, Tel:34303  
Teaching Team: Mr David  Emley, Dr Zoe Robinson, Dr Katie  Szkornik, Mrs Emma  Harvey, Dr Alix  Cage, Miss Keziah  Stott  
Lecture Time: See Timetable...  
Level: 1 Credits: 15 Study Hours: 150  
School Office:
 
 
 
Programme/Approved Electives for

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

Available only to BSc Environment and Sustainability students

Description

This module aims to introduce and foster the development of a range of skills and techniques within the natural and social sciences that are relevant to the interdisciplinary study of Environment and Sustainability. It will allow students to develop an awareness of the nature, causes and scope of environmental problems and controversies and an understanding of the various methods, tools and processes that are applied in the search for solutions. The module will give students hands-on opportunities to develop the key skills that will be needed to successfully complete the Environment and Sustainability single honours programme, including significant exposure to different field methods.

Aims

This module underpins the first year of Environment and Sustainability. It provides clear environmental case studies tackling a range of environmental issues highlighting the need for an interdisciplinary approach to tackling environmental problems.


Intended Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of a range of core issues of sustainability and the concepts of environment and sustainability as seen by different disciplines. will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2 and 3
Demonstrate an awareness of how interdisciplinary approaches work together and/or in tension. will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2 and 3
Communicate ideas and arguments effectively in a range of written and oral formats including the use of standard academic requirements such as referencing.

will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2 and 3
Work with team members to identify, distribute and undertake tasks necessary to complete a project. will be achieved by assessments: 3
Reflect on and evaluate his/her own learning experience in order to improve the learning experience in future stages of the programme. will be achieved by assessments: 1
Demonstrate familiarity with a range of ecological and geochemical laboratory and field techniques and collect, synthesize, evaluate and present environmental (geochemical, ecological, geological) data will be achieved by assessments: 3


Study hours

20 hours workshops
70 hours residential field course
20 hours workshop preparation and independent study
40 hours assessment preparation




Description of Module Assessment

01: Reflective Analysis weighted 40%
Reflective Learning Journal
Students will write weekly reflections on a set of prepared questions designed to enable critical reflection on the module material and their first year of the E

02: Essay weighted 20%
1500 word essay
1500 word essay, requiring an interdisciplinary exploration of a topical environmental/sustainability issue

03: Portfolio weighted 40%
Field course
Portfolio of exercises completed as part of a 5-day residential field course.


Version: (1.06B) Updated: 03/Mar/2013

This document is the definitive current source of information about this module and supersedes any other information.