School of Physical and Geographical Sciences  
 
 
ESC-20017 Human Impact on the Environment, scientific perspectives  
Co-ordinator: Dr Ian Oliver   Tel:34956  
Teaching Team: Mrs Stephanie  Everill, Dr Katie  Szkornik, Mrs Emma  Harvey, Mrs Karen  Babb, Dr Ian  Oliver, Miss Lianne  Berry, Ms Clare  Sillitto,  Anthony  Gallagher  
Lecture Time: See Timetable...  
Level: 2 Credits: 15 Study Hours: 150  
School Office:
 
 
 
Programme/Approved Electives for
None
Available as a Free Standing Elective
No
Prerequisites
None
Barred Combinations
Not applicable.

Description

This module provides knowledge and understanding, from a scientific perspective, of the impacts from human activities on the Earth and its systems and processes. Particular emphasis is given to water, air, soil and biota (plants and animals).

Over the last century numerous environmental problems have arisen as a result of human activities, including global climate shifts, water pollution, soil degradation, habitat loss, diversity loss and air pollution. These problems can in turn impact upon human health and well-being, so managing these problems benefits humans as well as the wider environment. An important feature of this module is that it tackles strategies to mitigate or cope with environmental problems caused by human impacts.
Aims
In this module students learn about human impact on the environment, the implications of this impacts for the ecological functioning and balance of the natural environment including the interactions between natural processes and components.
A major part of the teaching tackles strategies to mitigate or cope with environmental problems caused by human impacts so as dealing with the implications of climate change or options for attenuation of water and air pollution.
Intended Learning Outcomes
Describe and discuss a broad range of human impacts on the environment will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2, 3
Convey information about an environmental issue, including possible solutions and barriers to their adoption, in an interesting, engaging and informative way will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2
Speak publicly about a key environmental issue. will be achieved by assessments: 1
Search for and assimilate information from the literature on a key environmental issue will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2
Study hours
22 hours lectures
36 hours practical classes/self learning exercises
90 hours private study/completion of assignments.
2 hour exam
Description of Module Assessment
001: Group Presentation weighted 20%
Group presentation
002: Practical Assessment weighted 30%
Practical assessment
003: 2 Hour Unseen Exam weighted 50%
2-hour unseen examination. Three sections (two with shorter answers and one with longer answers)
Version: (1.06B) Updated: 03/Oct/2013

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