Introduction to the Global Environment module (EV10001)

Scientific principles and processes maintain environmental equilibrium. An understanding of these is required for the study of environmental problems.

This module aims to provide that basic knowledge. This will enable you to undertake meaningful studies of environmental challenges.

Throughout this module, you will explore:

• Earth's physical changes over time and today
• the interactions between different components of the environment
• the importance of understanding these processes for resource management and hazard mitigation

You will delve into the atmosphere's role in shaping Earth's surface and the oceans' contribution to climate change.

You will navigate through various scientific disciplines. This will cover understanding and resolving major environmental issues.

What you will learn

In this module, you will:

• study the development of Earth’s physical environment over geological timescales. This will cover the extent to which it is still changing today
• explore the links between different components of the physical environment. You will learn how terrestrial, lithospheric, and hydrological processes interact
• explore how understanding of processes in the physical environment is needed for the management of resources and mitigation of natural hazards
• study the nature of the atmosphere and its relevance to earth surface processes, e.g. hydrology and oceans
• gain an understanding of the nature of the oceans and their contribution to climate change
• gain an awareness of the need to understand a number of scientific disciplines to explain and resolve major environmental issues

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• locate and assemble primary and secondary sources of information to develop learning and support coursework
• develop reasoned argument
• apply appropriate basic analytic techniques to environmental data, interpret results and draw valid conclusions from them
• understand the limitations to and consequences of reducing complex datasets
• synthesise and express scientific concepts

Assignments / assessment

• group workshop report on mineral identification (12.5%)
  • based on two 2-hour workshops
• data analysis class test (12.5%)
  • based on two 2-hour workshops
  • answers submitted online via the virtual learning environment (VLE)
• unseen multiple-choice class tests (25%)
• class test (12.5%)
  • based on work from two practical workshops
  • visualising and interpreting meteorological data using Excel and describing spatial patterns of annual rainfall
• class test(12.5%)
  • based on work from two practical workshops
  • visualising and interpreting ocean temperatures with Excel and analysing Arctic and Antarctic ice records using RStudio
• unseen multiple-choice class tests (25%)

This module does not have a final exam.

Teaching methods / timetable

• two 1-hour lectures per week
  • lectures are recorded to support learning but not live-streamed
• one 2-hour practical or study skill workshop per week
  • workshops are generally not recorded to encourage student participation

You will also travel to a local site of known historical volcanic activity to apply practical mineralogy skills in the field.