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

For academic year: 2024/25 Last Updated: 24 April 2024

ESC-20037 - Geoscience and Society
Coordinator: Ian Stimpson Room: WSF01 Tel: +44 1782 7 33182
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

-

Barred Combinations

-

Description for 2024/25

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, 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.

Aims
Develop an awareness of the essential contributions of geoscience to the economic, environmental and cultural needs of society.
Reflect on the aspects of geoscience that relate to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Talis Aspire Reading List
Any reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.
http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/esc-20037/lists

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: 2
communicate effectively and apply awareness of the contribution of geoscience towards meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goals
: 2
assess and communicate effectively geoheritage condition status and develop geoconservation management plans: 1

Study hours

45 Active learning hours
- 29 hours scheduled synchronous class activity (20 lecture; 8 workshop; 1 field)
- 16 hours structured engagement with online material
105 hours independent study
- 10 research and completion of Sway formative assessment,
- 15 research and completion of geoconservation site monitoring form,
- 25 research and completion of report
- 20 writing up lecture notes
- 35 background reading


School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Audit weighted 40%
Geoheritage site documentation
Geoheritage site condition monitoring and management plan proforma completion to an authentic professional template (approximately 1500-words equivalent).

2: Report weighted 60%
Geoscience and Society Report
Report on the importance of geoscience to three specified UN Sustainable Development Goals (2000 words)

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: 24 April 2024