2019/20 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

SOEE1042 Our Habitable Planet

10 creditsClass Size: 90

Module manager: Dave Ferguson
Email: D.J.Ferguson@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2019/20

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

How is the Big Bang linked to rise and fall of human civilizations? Is the current loss of biodiversity any worse than what has happened in the geological past? How can we tell fake news from ‘true’ scientific data?The aim of this course is to place life on Earth into larger geological context and look at connections between the multiple areas of Earth Sciences. We will examine the links between the formation of the universe and the planets, evolution of the solid earth, the atmosphere and the oceans, emergence and extinction of life, human existence and civilization. We will discuss the relationship between humans and the Earth both as a resource and a hazard, and touch on current environmental topics. The module will provide big-picture context for the more specialized lectures by connecting their topics and encourage interest in interdisciplinary research.The module will be a mixture of lectures and practicals which will allow the students to experience formulating scientific research questions and setting up experiments to test them. The students will have the opportunity of meeting researchers in Earth Sciences and learn about the different available career pathways.

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should be able to ...
-Inspire students to be motivated learners, to be engaged and enthusiastic about Earth sciences.
-Teach big-picture fundamentals and introduce cutting-edge topics in Earth sciences
-Introduce some of the key areas of Earth sciences research, including research at Leeds
-Provide context for future (and parallel) more detailed modules
-Learn how scientific research works and get an opportunity to set up simple experiments and analyse and interpret data

Learning outcomes
1. Gain knowledge of big picture research areas in Earth Sciences and the connections between them. Learn which questions have already been answered, and which ones still remain unanswered
2. Get experience with creating research questions, setting up simple experiments and analysing data to arrive to a conclusion
3. Learn that the Earth works as a system. Appreciate the links between geological processes, oceans, atmosphere and climate, life, and human activities.
4. Be able to demonstrate a sound knowledge of the physical and biotic evolution of the Earth and the links between the two.
5. Be introduced and exposed to state-of-the-art research and research practices within the field of geological sciences
6. Have the ability to observe, describe, collect and interpret a variety of geological data.

Skills outcomes
Critical Thinking

Syllabus

Lectures and practicals are planned a total of 10 weeks. To meet the module objectives, it should run in semester 1
Week 1
Introduction to Earth as a system, grand challenges that can be addressed by Earth scientists and the scientific method.

Week 2
The formation of elements, planets and solar systems 1

Week 3
The formation of elements, planets and solar systems 2

Week 4
Layers of the Earth & Geological time

Week 5
Introduction to plate tectonics

Week 6
Linking the layers - solid Earth, liquid ocean, gaseous atmosphere

Week 7
Earth’s climate over time. CO2 and the greenhouse effect.

Week 8
Life: emergence and extinctions

Week 9
The anthropocene: Humans and the Earth - Resources and Hazards

Week 10
Are we alone? - Planetary habitability and the universe
“How do I become an Earth scientist?” - introduction to career pathways

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	12	1.00	12.00
Practical	7	2.00	14.00
Independent online learning hours			14.00
Private study hours			60.00
Total Contact hours			26.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			100.00

Private study

Lecture/practical synthesis: 20 hours
Background reading: 20 hours
Exam revision: 20 hours

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Students will be provided with weekly MCQ tests (~5 questions) to test their understanding/knowledge against the content of each week. The MCQ’s will have generic feedback on each question. They can be re-done during the semester and can be thus used for revision purposes.
Students can get feedback face to face in practical classes and can meet staff to discuss things using their office hours / open door policy. The assessed practical should lead to feedback that is given before the end of semester (and hence in time for exams).

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Practical	The practical will involve setting up a simple experiment to address a hypothesis, analysing the data to come to a conclusion. The students will be required to write a short description of their hypothesis, method and conclusions	20.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		20.00

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)	2 hr 00 mins	80.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		80.00

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

Reading list

There is no reading list for this module

Last updated: 30/04/2019

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