Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2026-2027
Module GEOL40515: Fundamentals of Environmental Sustainability
Department: Earth Sciences
GEOL40515: Fundamentals of Environmental Sustainability
| Type | Tied | Level | 4 | Credits | 15 | Availability | Available in 2026/2027 | Module Cap |
|---|
| Tied to | MSc Environmental Sustainability |
|---|
Prerequisites
- None
Corequisites
- None
Excluded Combination of Modules
- None
Aims
- To provide students with an understanding of Environmental Sustainability.
- To introduce students to the key environmental challenges.
- To provide students with the framework of sustainable development.
- To provide knowledge of fundamental concepts that underpin the entire masters course .
Content
- Introduction to environmental sustainability principles.
- Key environmental challenges and global context.
- Sustainable development frameworks and concepts.
- Sustainability metrics and indices.
- The five key concepts of environmental sustainability.
Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Knowledge:
- By the end of this module, students should be able:
- To understand the diversity of definitions sustainability in the environmental context
- To know the range of indices and metrics used to assess sustainability
- To understand key concepts of environmental sustainability:
- - Capacity
- - Diversity
- - Resource efficiency
- - Climate mitigation
- - Circular economy
Subject-specific Skills:
- Conduct research and analyze environmental data and information.
- Evaluate and interpret sustainability assessments and reports.
- Develop and apply sustainable solutions to environmental problems.
- Communicate effectively on environmental sustainability issues to diverse audiences.
- Collaborate with others to address complex environmental challenges.
Key Skills:
- Effective written communication.
- Planning, organising and time-management.
- Problem solving and analysis.
Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module
- Learning outputs are met through classroom-based workshops, supported by online resources. The workshops consist of a combination of taught input, case studies, discussion and computing labs. Online resources will typically consist of directed reading and a programming environment with example code.
- The summative assessment will be based upon: an in-class test and a group project.
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
| Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total/Hours | Attendance Monitored |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Workshops | 10 | Weekly | 2 hours | 20 | Yes ■ |
| Preparation and Reading | 130 | ||||
| Total | 150 |
Summative Assessment
| Component: Summative Assessment | Component Weighting: 100% | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
| In-Year Test | 1 hour | 50% | |
| Project | 50% | ||
Formative Assessment:
The formative assessment consists of classroom-based exercises on specific data topics of relevant to the learning outcomes of the modules. Oral feedback will be given on a group and/or individual basis as appropriate.
■ Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University.