The "Geoscience and Society" module develops an awareness of the essential contributions of geoscience to the economic, environmental and cultural needs of Society. It contains four main sections:
"Georesources and Society" investigates the sustainability of energy and mineral resources (oil, gas, coal, geothermal; platinum, copper, gold, etc.) and other associated issues (radioactive waste disposal, CO2 sequestration, 'fracking').
"Geohazards and Society" studies the human impact of geological phenomena such as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes, landslides, and subsidence.
"Geoscience and Health" examines topics such as asbestos, heavy metals and radon and diseases related to geology.
"Geodiversity and Geoconservation" examines the designation and maintenance of sites important to geoscience (World Heritage, Geoparks, SSSIs, RIGS), together with their place in planning and public understanding of geoscience.
(Requirements for accreditation, GSL 2008)
(ES3 Benchmarking statement, QAA 2007) will be achieved by assessments: 1, 3
demonstrate, critically evaluate, communicate effectively and apply "awareness and informed concern of Earth science challenges [in] geological aspects of human impacts on the environment."
(ES3 Benchmarking statement, QAA 2007) will be achieved by assessments: 2, 3
demonstrate, critically evaluate, communicate effectively and apply"awareness and informed concern of Earth science challenges [in] geohazards and their impacts on human societies."
(ES3 Benchmarking statement, QAA 2007) will be achieved by assessments: 3
demonstrate, critically evaluate, communicate effectively and apply"awareness and informed concern of Earth science challenges [in] earth science perspectives on sustainability and social awareness."
(ES3 Benchmarking statement, QAA 2007) will be achieved by assessments: 1, 3
demonstrate, critically evaluate, communicate effectively and apply awareness of "environmental challenges [in] [geo]diversity; demand and scarcity; demand for, and consequences of, water resource utilisation, energy and material production and use, including alternatives; air, land and water pollution; approaches to, and limitations of environmental management systems; role of institutions in regulation and management of the environment; environmental policy formulation, legislation and decision making.
(ES3 Benchmarking statement, QAA 2007) will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2, 3
Field class 8 hours
Private study 92 hours
Submission of powerpoint file and five minute oral presentation on geological resources.
Geoconservation site condition monitoring, site management plan and site display board poster from field course.
Two hour written examination; attempt three unseen questions from five.
This document is the definitive current source of information about this module and supersedes any other information.