2016/17 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

SOEE3110 Earth System Science: Biogeochemical Cycles

10 creditsClass Size: 50

Module manager: Dr Caroline Peacock
Email: C.L.Peacock@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2016/17

Pre-requisites

SOEE2010

Chemistry of the Earth

This module is mutually exclusive with

GEOG3875	Biogeochemical Cycles: Process to Policy
GEOG3876	Biogeochemical Cycles and Environmental Issues

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Objectives

On completion of the module, students will have an understanding of the global biogeochemical cycles of the important bioelements, how these cycles have changed over time and how they can be used to understand the Earth System.
Students will see how feedbacks operate within these cycles and how these cycles are closely interconnected.

Students will develop an understanding of the general principles and science of biogeochemistry in relation to the Earth system, and then look in more detail at individual biogeochemical cycles.

Students will develop an understanding of numerical modeling of biogeochemical cycles through scenario testing to look at how changes to the biogeochemical cycles (past, present and future) affect the Earth System, and vice versa.

Learning outcomes
During this module, students will gain a knowledge and understanding of the mechanisms and processes involved in the global cycles of a range of important bioelements. Students will also learn about the concepts used to describe biogeochemical cycles. Students will gain the ability to use numerical modelling software for looking at the impact on the Earth System of simple past and future perturbations to the biogeochemical cycles. Associated skills of problem solving, numeracy, and IT will be tested within the context of the numerical modelling. Students will also have the opportunity to further develop their written communication, planning and organisation, information literacy, research, problem solving, numeracy, IT and time management skills. Their written communication skills will be assessed within the context of the exam.

Skills outcomes
During this modules, students will have the opportunity to further develop their written communication, planning and organisation, information literacy, research, problem solving, numeracy, IT and time management skills. Their written communication skills will be assessed within the context of the exam. Students will also gain the ability to use the Stella software for looking at the impact on the Earth System of simple past and future perturbations to the biogeochemical cycles. Associated skills of problem solving, numeracy, and IT will be tested within the context of the Stella worksheets.

Syllabus

We will begin by covering the general principles and science of biogeochemistry in relation to the Earth System, including: Use of biogeochemical cycles to understand the Earth System; Box models; Stella modeling. We will then cover the individual biogeochemical cycles, including: the global carbon cycle; the hydrological cycle; the nitrogen cycle; the phosphorous cycle; and the coupled sulphur-iron-oxygen cycles. In each case, we will cover the chemical forms of the element, the processes which control its transformations and finally its global cycle. We will look at various scenarios relevant to changing the cycles.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	10	2.00	20.00
Practical	2	2.00	4.00
Independent online learning hours			18.00
Private study hours			58.00
Total Contact hours			24.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			100.00

Private study

Students will be expected to undertake reading after each lecture, based on reading lists that will be given out. Students will also be expected to undertake additional reading and revision prior to the examination. These private study hours are detailed below. In addition, we will introduce the computer programme Stella, and students will be expected to practice using this software in their own time. Students will also be given a variety of scenarios to test using Stella in their own time. The outcomes of this scenario testing will be discussed during contact hours. Some of this scenario testing will be assessed. The Stella time is classed as independent online learning and is detailed below.

An approximate breakdown of private study and independent online learning time:

Private Study - 58 hours total
Reading - 24 hours
Revision - 34 hours

Online learning - 18 hours total
Software practice - 4 hours
Scenario testing - 14 hours

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Student progress will be monitored through the use of the scenario tests set as homework during the module. These will be discussed at the beginning of the next class, where students will be able to ask questions and gain feedback. There will be several of these scenario tests prior to the assessed scenario tests so that students have the opportunity to gain feedback on the work before the assessment. The assessment will be marked before the end of the module so that students gain marks and feedback on it before the final exam.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Computer Exercise	STELLA worksheet	40.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		40.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	1 hr 30 mins	60.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		60.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 10/10/2016

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