ESC-30020 - Module Specification
School of Geography, Geology and the Environment
Faculty of Natural Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2022/23

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

Not applicable

Description for 2022/23

Water is a vital resource to life on Earth. Pressures on water resources are growing due to increasing population, decreasing quality of water and climate change. In order to effectively manage water resources it is important to understand hydrological and hydrogeological processes and both problems and potential solutions surrounding both water quantity and water quality, and the requirements of the human and ecological water users.
This module explores the area of sustainable water management, from issues of dam developments, and transboundary water problems, to innovative new management approaches and concepts such as water footprints and virtual water. Students develop a wide range of skills including the use of hydrological and hydrogeological data to understand the risk to water resources from a proposed development, as well as developing an understanding of the problems and potential solutions associated with the sustainable management of water across the world and in different environments.

This module aims:
(1) To enable students to develop an understanding of hydrological and hydrogeological processes essential to an appreciation of water resource issues
(2) To enable students to develop an understanding and appreciation of the problems surrounding water resources and the conflict between potential water users
(3) Enable students to assess the environmental, economic and social impacts of potential solutions to water resource problems
(4) To enable students to evaluate approaches to ensure more sustainable management of water resources

Intended Learning Outcomes

describe, explain and critique the nature and causes of water resource problems and conflicts
: 2
make an informed judgement on the risk to water resources from a proposed development based on knowledge and understanding of hydrological, hydrogeological and geochemical processes: 1
illustrate and discuss the contested and incomplete nature of knowledge and understanding in the context of water resources: 2
evaluate potential solutions to water resource problems and their environmental and social effects based on a knowledge and understanding of research at the forefront of the discipline: 2

Study hours

20 hours content and interactive activities and problem sessions
20 hours additional weekly preparation
80 hours coursework preparation
30 hours independent study

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment