ESC-10061 - Module Specification
School of Geography, Geology and the Environment
Faculty of Natural Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2021/22

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2021/22

This module aims to introduce and foster the development of a range of skills and techniques that are relevant to the interdisciplinary study of the Environmental, Ecological and Sustainability challenges that people and planet face. It will allow students to develop an awareness of the nature, causes and scope of these challenges and an appreciation of the emerging technological, political and societal solutions to these issues. The module will give students hands-on opportunities to develop key skills that will be needed to successfully complete their programme of study, including significant exposure to different field methods. Most importantly the module will provide students with the foundations to develop into well-informed and responsible environmental citizens.

This module provides core grounding in the environmental disciplines and underpins the first year of the Environmental Science, Environment and Sustainability, and Ecology and Conservation degree programmes. It explores case studies tackling a range of environmental issues highlighting the need for an interdisciplinary approach and develops core knowledge, understanding and skills for all environment students. This module aims: to illustrate to students how an understanding of different disciplines is utilized in the study of the environment; to help students develop field and laboratory skills in environmental assessments and research; and to help students develop and gain useful experience of a range of transferable study skills.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Discuss a range of core environmental issues drawing on different disciplines: 2
Discuss and debate how interdisciplinary approaches work together and/or in tension: 2
Communicate ideas and arguments in a range of written and oral formats (including the use of standard academic requirements such as referencing) and demonstrate competency in a range of skills necessary for successful study in higher education (e.g. numeracy and IT, visual, oral and written communication): 2
Reflect on and evaluate their own learning experience in order to improve the learning experience in future stages of the programme: 2
Successfully employ a range of laboratory, field and desk-based techniques to collect, synthesize, evaluate and present environmental (ecological, chemical, geological, geographic, social) data: 2

Study hours

36 hours lectures or discussion classes (36x 1 hour lectures or discussion classes)
36 hours practicals (12x 3 hour practicals)
78 hours independent study and completion of assignments

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment