2016/17 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

SOEE1280 The Atmosphere of Planet Earth

10 creditsClass Size: 160

Module manager: Dr Anja Schmidt
Email: a.schmidt@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2016/17

Pre-requisite qualifications

GCSE General Science or equivalent

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module provides an introduction to some fascinating phenomena in Earth's atmosphere from the origin of life-sustaining air itself to present-day climate change. The module aims to present a diverse range of topics that are all related to Earth’s atmosphere. The module is delivered in a series of seminar-style lectures given by researchers in the School of Earth and Environment. These seminars aim to illustrate all aspects of the atmosphere at a highly accessible level so that students appreciate the complexity of Earth’s atmosphere. The module also provides an opportunity for the students to discover and to directly engage with research undertaken in the Institute for Climate and Atmospheric Science. Seminars cover a wide range of topics from air pollution and the associated human health impacts to the causes, consequences and future of the polar ozone holes and climate change. At every stage, controversial topics will be presented in a balanced scientific way, enabling students to comprehend current scientific debates on, for instance, climate change.

Objectives

The module is delivered in a series of seminar-style lectures given by researchers in the School of Earth and Environment. The aims are to present a diverse range of topics that are all related to Earth’s atmosphere and to illustrate all aspects of the atmosphere at a highly accessible level so that students can appreciate its complexity. The module also allows students to discover and to directly engage with research undertaken in the Institute for Climate and Atmospheric Science.

Learning outcomes
- Receiving and responding to a variety of information sources (e.g. textual, numerical, verbal, graphical).
- Using the internet critically as a means of communication and a source of information.
- Developing the skills necessary for self-managed and lifelong learning (e.g. working independently, time management and organisation skills).
- Practice skills in analysis, synthesis and integration of information, and in the application of related theoretical knowledge, where relevant.
- Discover and gain an understanding of the range of research carried out within the School related to Earth’s atmosphere.

Syllabus

- 1 x Introduction lecture
- 17 x seminar-style lectures

Some of the topics to be covered in the seminars are:

- The origin of the atmosphere
- Air pollution
- Polar Ozone Holes
- Light and colour in the atmosphere
- Climate Change

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	18	1.00	18.00
Private study hours			82.00
Total Contact hours			18.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			100.00

Private study

- 3.0 hours reading per lecture.
- 28.0 hours exam revision.

Remainder by additional reading.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Questions to evaluate understanding given to students to reflect on understanding.

Methods of assessment

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	1 hr 30 mins	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		100.00

For Level 5 MRes students only: The assessment for this module is two 2000 word essays.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 11/01/2017

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