Module FOUN0487: ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE 2

Department: Foundation Year [Queen's Campus, Stockton]

FOUN0487: ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE 2

Pre-requisites

Corequisites

Excluded Combinations

Aims

• To develop confidence in an environmental science subject.
• To develop awareness and knowledge of key environmental issues and the science behind them.
• To constructively apply knowledge gained in other subject areas.
• To develop library and research skills.

Content

• ATMOSPHERE Natural temperature variations (spatial, diurnal, seasonal) Human effects on the atmosphere Greenhouse effect/climate change (in more detail than ES1) Ozone layer pollution.
• LITHOSPHERE Energy resources and use Non-renewable Renewable (Environmental impact of exploitation, reduction of impacts, future of supplies ) Land use (different uses of land, conflicts of multiple land use, transport developments, waste management, pollution).
• HYDROSPHERE Water Cycle Pollution (organic, eutrophication, inorganic, sewage treatment) Resources and use (groundwater abstraction, water treatment, CC and future demand) Management/flooding.
• BIOSPHERE Ecosystems & Community Ecology (categories of organisms, feeding relationships, abiotic/biotic factors, diversity and ecological stability,conservation) Biomes Human impact.

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of this module the student will have acquired the knowledge to be able to:
• describe the basic concepts involved in environmental issues associated with the atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere as detailed in the content list.

• By the end of this module the student will have acquired the skills to be able to:
• interpret and critically evaluate information on environmental science issues

• By the end of the module students will
• be able to communicate effectively in writing.
• be able to apply number both in the tackling of numerical problems and in the collecting, recording, interpreting and presenting of data.
• be able to demonstrate problem solving skills.

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

• Theory, initial concepts and techniques will be introduced during lectures and demonstrations.
• Much of the learning, understanding and consolidation will take place through the use of structured activities during tutorials and students' own time.
• Research and library skills will be developed through structured and non-structured research activities.
• Knowledge,understanding and ability to interpret information will be assessed by a portfolio of set tasks and exercises and an end of module examination.
• Research and library skills will be assessed by a set research exercise.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment

Students will be given self testing units on a weekly basis. Students will be given some formative research exercises.