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 themes:
Georesources and Society investigates the sustainability of energy and mineral resources and geological remediation issues (e.g. radioactive waste disposal, CO2 sequestration).
Geohazards and Society studies the human impact of geological phenomena such as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes, landslides and subsidence.
Geoscience and Health examines health related topics such as asbestos, heavy metals, radon and diseases related to geology.
Geodiversity and Geoconservation examines the designation and maintenance of sites important to geoscience (World Heritage, Geoparks, SSSIs, LoGS), together with their place in planning and public understanding of geoscience.
(GSL 2008)
(ES3 Benchmarking statement, QAA 2007) will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2, 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: 1, 2, 3, 4
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: 1, 2, 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, 2, 3
demonstrate, critically evaluate, communicate effectively and apply awareness of "environmental challenges in geodiversity; demand and scarcity; demand for, and consequences of energy and material production and use, including alternatives; environmental policy formulation, legislation and decision making.
(ES3 Benchmarking statement, QAA 2007) will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2, 3, 4
20 hours research and posting asynchronous dissussion
60 hours research and posting blog posts
20 hours research and preparation poster
20 hours research and preparation portfolio material
10 hours independent study
Contribution to on-going asynchronous discussion of current news items related to geoscience and society
Bi-weekly blog post on a current issue in geoscience and society (~250 words each).
PowerPoint poster on a mineral resource.
Geological site condition monitoring and management planning documentation.
This document is the definitive current source of information about this module and supersedes any other information.