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ESC-20017 - Module Specification
School of Geography, Geology and the Environment
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2024/25 Last Updated: 23 April 2024

ESC-20017 - Human Impact on the Environment, scientific perspectives
Coordinator: Adam Moolna Tel: +44 1782 7 34115
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 5
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 733615

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2024/25

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 impacts on 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. This module examines a wide range of these environmental issues and, importantly, also focuses on ways to mitigate, manage or even resolve environmental problems caused by human impacts.

Aims
Students will learn about human impacts on the environment and the implications for functioning and balance of key systems, including the interactions between different processes and components. A major part of learning is about strategies to mitigate and adapt to environmental problems caused by human impacts, such as addressing climate change, and the role of science in informing action.

Talis Aspire Reading List
Any reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.
http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/esc-20017/lists

Intended Learning Outcomes

discuss a broad range of human impacts on the environment and their wider significance and possible solutions: 1,2
search for and assimilate information from the literature on a key environmental issue: 1,2
describe and explain, in scientific terms, the key causes of negative environmental impacts: 1,2
communicate effectively in written form about an environmental issue, including possible solutions and barriers to their adoption, in an interesting, engaging and informative way: 1,2

Study hours

27.5 Active Learning Hours =
¿ 15 hours lectures: 3 lectures for each of 5 topics (15x 1 hour)
¿ 5 hours workshops: 1 workshop for each of 5 topics, incorporating skills briefings (5x 1 hour)
¿ 7.5 hours asynchronous resources: video to watch and reflect on for each lecture (15x 30 mins)
122.5 hours independent study =
¿ 122.5 hours reading, independent work, and completion of assessments

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Portfolio weighted 50%
Portfolio of topic Intended Learning Outcome responses
2,500 word portfolio of approximately 5 x 500 word responses (the word limit is on the total, not individual parts) to each of the five topics covered in the module

2: Literature Review weighted 50%
Literature review on choice of module topic
2,500 word literature review of your choice of one of the five topics covered in this module evaluating the context, issues and solutions

Please note that for the 2022/23 Academic Year programmes may be adapted to operate in accordance with a flexible, digital approach. This means that there may be some changes made to how modules are delivered and assessed. The latest information will be provided to you by your School in module handbooks. We endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes and details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/student-terms-and-conditions/

Last Updated: 23 April 2024