Module GEOG1081: PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY: EARTH SYSTEMS SCIENCE

Department: Geography

GEOG1081: PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY: EARTH SYSTEMS SCIENCE

Tied To

• CFG0: Natural Sciences
• F800: Geography
• FR89: Geography (European Studies)
• L702: Geography
• LMV0: Combined Honours in Social Sciences
• LR79: Geography (European Studies)
• X1F8: Education Studies - Geography

Pre-requisites

Corequisites

Excluded Combinations

Aims

• The module introduces students to a broad range of concepts and approaches in physical geography, using scale, from global to local, as the organising framework.
• The module is a foundation module for specialist physical modules in level 2 and 3.

Content

• The module provides an integrated framework for the study of the environment systems of the Earth.
• The module examines five important themes in physical geography through a variety of scales, from global to local: 1) Climate change: Quaternary glaciations to global warming; 2) Water and water resources; 3) Landslides: hazards to risks; 4) Sea-level change; 5) Our World: monitoring Earth from space and modeling 21st century change.
• These themes reflect our key research areas and lead through to the option programme of Levels 2 and 3.

Learning Outcomes

• On successful completion of this module students will be able to:
• understand the importance of time and rates of change through a consideration of contemporary earth processes and longer-term environmental change,
• understand how humans have effected these processes and changes,
• apply these themes at a conceptional level and with reference to selected case studies provided in lectures and student readings.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• The module is based on a programme of lectures.
• These provide the context in which facts and introductory concepts, contributing to building knowledge and understanding, are conveyed.
• Lectures are complemented by small group tutorials in which concepts introduced in lectures can be explored in more detail.
• Full reading lists provide students with the means to undertake independent study and learning.
• Formative assessment and 50% of summative assessment is set, marked and returned in tutorial groups.
• Three essays (two summative) provide students with scope to explore in greater detail selected themes drawn from module.
• The remainder of the summative assessment is based on an unseen examination paper designed to assess student's acquisition of the interdisciplinary nature of the learning outcomes.
• Tutorials also provide a forum enabling active acquisition of skills.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment

One formative essay plus feedback given on the two summative essays.