2017/18 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue
SOEE5232M Biogeochemical Cycles of the Earth System
15 creditsClass Size: 5
Module manager: Dr Caroline Peacock
Email: C.L.Peacock@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2017/18
This module is mutually exclusive with
| SOEE3110 | Earth System Science: BGC Cyc |
This module is not approved as an Elective
Objectives
On completion of the module, students will have an understanding of the major biogeochemical cycles and how they can be used to understand the Earth System.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 undertake scenario testing to look at how changes to the biogeochemical cycles (past, present and future) affect the Earth System, and vice versa.
Students will sit an exam to test their knowledge of major biogeochemical cycles.
Students will undertake a detailed investigation into one key topic of biogeochemical cycles in Earth System Science.
Skills outcomes
During this module, 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 and other assessments. 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 component. Finally, students will have the opportunity to practise and develop their independent research skills during the research essay.
Syllabus
Part 1: During part 1 of the course we will cover 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 modelling: Water and the hydrosphere.
Part 2: In part 2 of the course, we will cover the individual biogeochemical cycles, including: the global carbon cycle; nitrogen cycle; phosphorous cycle; the linked iron and sulphur 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. Students will then choose an aspect of the global carbon cycle and develop a STELLA model for that cycle. They will then produce a report on this work.
Part 3: Students will choose an essay title on global biogeochemical cycles from a selection provided. They will then produce a research essay on this topic.
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Lecture | 10 | 2.00 | 20.00 |
| Practical | 2 | 2.00 | 4.00 |
| Tutorial | 1 | 2.00 | 2.00 |
| Independent online learning hours | 24.00 | ||
| Private study hours | 100.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 26.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 150.00 | ||
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 to support and augment their learning. In particular, students will be expected to undertake significant independent reading and research in order to complete the research component of the module. All reading and research should be undertaken during the private study hours that are detailed above. In addition, we will introduce the computer programme Stella, and students will be expected to practice using this software in their own time, detailed as independent online learning hours above.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 Stella report assessment will be marked before the end of the module so that students gain marks and feedback on it before the research essay.The research essay will be supported via a tutorial and students will have the opportunity to gain feedback as they prepare their research essay for the final part of the module assessment.
Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Computer Exercise | Stella Modelling Report (2,500 words) | 53.00 |
| Essay | Research Essay (2,000 words) | 47.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100.00 | |
Re-sit is by an individual research essay for 100% of the module marks
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 04/05/2017
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