ESC-20037 - Module Specification
School of Geography, Geology and the Environment
Faculty of Natural Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2020/21

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

-

Barred Combinations

-

Description for 2020/21

The Geoscience and Society module develops an awareness of the essential contributions of geoscience to the economic, environmental and cultural needs of Society. It will examine:
Geodiversity, Geoconservation and Geoheritage: Designation and maintenance of geological sites important to society (World Heritage Sites, Geoparks, SSSIs, LoGS).
Geological Resources and Society: Sustainability of energy and mineral resources (oil, gas, coal, geothermal, metals, groundwater, etc.) and other associated issues (radioactive waste disposal, carbon dioxide sequestration, fracking).
Geohazards and Society: the human impact of geological phenomena such as earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides, and subsidence.
Geoscience and Health: hazardous geological material and diseases related to geology.
Geoethics: Ethical exploitation of resources and a developing a social licence to operate.
Climate Geoengineering: Potential geological solutions to the climate crisis
Geoscience and the UN SDGs: The importance of geoscience in meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Develop an awareness of the essential contributions of geoscience to the economic, environmental and cultural needs of society.

Intended Learning Outcomes

critically evaluate, communicate effectively and apply awareness of geoscience challenges in resource exploration and exploitation, geohazards, geodiversity management, and their impact on society: 1,2,3
communicate effectively and apply awareness of the contribution of geoscience towards meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goals
: 3
assess and communicate effectively geoheritage condition status and develop geoconservation management plans: 2

Study hours

Lectures / Workshops 50 hours
Virtual Fieldwork 8 hours
Private study 92 hours

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment