Module GEOG3827: GEOCHEMICAL APPLICATIONS

Department: Geography

GEOG3827: GEOCHEMICAL APPLICATIONS

Prerequisites

• Any Level 2 GEOG module

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• This specialised module aims to develop an advanced understanding of how a suite of geochemical methods and data sets can be used to identify and quantify biogeochemical processes. In turn, knowledge of this baseline information about the natural environment will enable student evaluation of the impacts of human activities

Content

• Key biogeochemical cycles of elements (e.g. carbon, oxygen) and the natural processes which drive them
• Tracing of biogeochemical processes using a source-to-sink approach which incorporates the atmosphere, biosphere, soils, rivers and the hydrological cycle
• Identification and quantification of human perturbations to biogeochemical cycles and environmental systems
• Assessment of advanced techniques in environmental geochemistry including ion, gas and liquid chromatography; trace metals in particles and water; radio- and stable isotopic systems

Learning Outcomes

• On successful completion of the module students should be able to:
• Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the geochemistry toolkit available to physical geographers for the assessment of natural and anthropogenic processes
• Evaluate the evidence for dominant processes (e.g. anthropogenic impacts) acting in a variety of terrestrial and marine environments using geochemistry data

• On successful completion of the module students should be able to:
• Demonstrate understanding of key analytical methods in geochemistry
• Demonstrate awareness of the scientific approaches and principles which underpin geochemistry data sets (precision, accuracy, repeatability, sampling approach)

• On successful completion of the module students should be able to:
• Demonstrate their ability to read, analyse and synthesise geochemistry literature
• Demonstrate their understanding of key analytical methods in geochemistry
• Demonstrate their awareness of the scientific approaches and principles which underpin geochemistry data sets (precision, accuracy, repeatability, sampling approach
• Extract, interpret and evaluate geochemical data from terrestrial (soils, rivers) and/or marine localities
• Present key findings and evaluation of data sets clearly in a written form
• Present and summarise geochemical data and their own scientific interpretations

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

• Lectures will focus on outlining the key concepts, issues and techniques in environmental geochemistry in order to give a broad overview to the key debates or problems that will be discussed throughout the course.
• Data practicals will focus on synthesising and interpreting real data sets which reflect the key debates outlined in lectures. The practicals also provide a forum for introducing and discussing the principles of the geochemical methods which have been used to produce the data sets. Data quality will also be evaluated. The data practical exercises target development of the subject-specific skills detailed above, alongside experience in handling, interpreting and presenting data (Key Skills) to assess real world problems from a geochemical perspective (Subject specific knowledge). Verbal feedback will be provided during the practicals.
• Seminars will be student-led, working in small groups to produce a concise and coherent presentation about real geochemical data, its interpretation and limitations. Students will explore and evaluate the data, including drawing on broader literature to support or challenge their interpretations. The seminar presentations allow students to demonstrate their subject-specific knowledge of how geochemistry data can identify key environmental processes and/or human impacts, and to demonstrate their understanding of how geochemical data is produced and how to evaluate its quality and uncertainty (see Key Skills outlined above). Staff will facilitate the group discussions and give feedback on both the skills and subject knowledge displayed in the presentations. Written and verbal feedback will be provided following the presentations.
• The individual essay requires students to evaluate the application of geochemical approaches to real-world problems. This requires students to demonstrate their subject-specific knowledge (e.g. how processes can be traced by geochemistry methods), as well as their understanding of how geochemical data is produced and what the limitations and advantages of that approach may be. Both subject-specific and key skills will therefore be assessed.
• Student preparation and reading time will focus on reading key literature set by staff within the lectures and practicals. The production of materials for the student-led seminars will also require group co-ordination and preparation

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Written and verbal feedback on group presentations during the student-led seminars. Verbal feedback and discussions during the data practicals.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University