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ESC-20110 - Module Specification
School of Life Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2026/27 Last Updated: 16 September 2026

ESC-20110 - Earth's Changing Landscapes
Coordinator: Alix Cage Tel: +44 1782 7 33177
Lecture Time:
Level: Level 5
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 734414

Programme/Approved Electives for 2026/27

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2026/27

Glaciers, volcanoes, coastal erosion, floods…Earth’s landscapes are not just spectacular, they’re crucial to understanding our planet’s past, present, and future. In the face of climate change, natural hazards, and increasing environmental pressures, the study of Geomorphology - the science of landscapes - has never been more relevant.
In this module, you’ll explore the dynamic processes and connections between climate, tectonics, human activity, and Earth’s changing landscapes. Through interactive lectures and Journal Clubs, you’ll critically engage with cutting-edge scientific literature and real research and deepen your understanding of Earth systems. You’ll also learn how to analyse remote-sensing imagery using tools like Sentinel Hub and Google Earth, gaining valuable skills in recognising geomorphological features, interpreting landscapes, and identifying the processes behind them.
Assessments are designed to help you evaluate research, interpret landscape evolution, and convey complex ideas to diverse audiences - all vital skills for careers in environmental science, geography, planning, or conservation.

Aims
The primary aim of this module is to help students develop a clear geomorphological understanding of landscapes, and of landscape change over time, at local and global scales. The second aim is to increase students confidence and ability in working with remotely-sensed imagery and in using high-level peer-reviewed research sources. We focus on the connections between environment, process and form in landscape development, and the module is designed to give students the opportunity to:
- investigate geographically variable controls on geomorphic processes, and their impact on landscape diversity;
- consider landscape change over short and long-term timescales, including the accelerating impacts of climate change, and the implications of landscape change in both human and environmental contexts;
- make detailed explorations of a range of case study landscapes using remotely-sensed imagery and research literature.
Students will also synthesise, summarise and communicate landscape process and form to a range of audiences via the creation of a teaching resource aimed at students.

Intended Learning Outcomes

identify and explain spatial variability in geomorphic processes, and the associated diversity of landforms and landscapes, at local and global scales: 2
describe and explain the changing nature of the Earth's landscapes over time in relation to key controls such as climate change and plate tectonics: 1,2
use remotely-sensed imagery to identify, interpret and illustrate a range of landscapes at local and global scales: 1,2
illustrate the dynamic, plural and contested nature of the subject area, and explain the role played by geographers, geoscientists and environmental scientists in advancing knowledge and understanding through both academic and applied research: 2
design a learning resource for a lay audience: 1

Study hours

Active learning:
- 20 hours Interactive lectures
- 5 hours of PC practical sessions (ARC GIS and/or Google Earth Pro)
Independent study hours:
- 30 hours independent study reading journal literature and searching for remote sensing or bathymetric imagery
- 30 hours Independent work on Assessment 1 (lay audience communication)
- 40 hours Independent work on Assessment 2 (Journal Club review)
- 25 hours creating ARC GIS or Google Earth maps suitable for submission

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Assignment weighted 40%
Communication booklet to a lay audience
Students select a relict landscape and create a short booklet suitable for a lay audience (1,500 words plus at least one map) explaining the evidence for the geomorphological history of the site (landforms and processes). They should include their own annotated images from remote sensing, using ARC GIS or Google Earth Pro to identify, map and annotate features of interest in their chosen location. The booklet should include peer-reviewed literature to explain the key controls and geomorphic processes which formed the landscape features over a range of timescales.

2: Assignment weighted 60%
Journal Club Review
Students will choose one topic from the Journal Club case studies to use in their review to illustrate the processes and landforms found within their selected landscape. The submission (2,500 words) must contain a critical discussion of one of the key journal topic articles provided and include their own wider reading around the topic. The submission must contain at least one relevant and annotated remotely sourced image of their own creation (ARC GIS or Google Earth Pro) related to the landscape and location of choice. Consideration should be given to the dynamic nature of landscapes and how their chosen location may change in the future.

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. 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/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 16 September 2026