2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

SOEE1053 Our Habitable Planet

10 creditsClass Size: 100

Module manager: David Ferguson
Email: d.j.ferguson@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

Pre-requisite qualifications

Sufficient qualifications to be admitted to the BSc Geology Programme

Module replaces

SOEE1052 Our Habitable Planet

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

Why is Earth the only planet in our solar system that is habitable to complex life? What does plate tectonics have to do with the Earth’s climate? When did our planet form and how has its interior, surface, and atmosphere changed over geological time? What role has our planet’s geological history played in the development of our current human civilization? And what lessons can we learn from studying the Earth that can help us to identify habitable planets elsewhere in the galaxy? By exploring questions like these we will cover topics relating to the formation and evolution of planet Earth. Topics covered will include: the formation of elements and planets; the structure of the Earth and plate tectonics; the evolution of Earth’s environment over geological time; the emergence of life; interactions between humans and the Earth; and the search for planets beyond our solar system. Many of the themes covered concern areas of active cutting-edge scientific research and we will incorporate new ideas and results into the course as they arise. By taking a holistic view of the Earth as a geologically active planet we will discover how it has been able to support life for billions of years.

Objectives

This module will provide a broad review of scientific theories relating to the origin and evolution of the Earth. By examining how the Earth came to exist and what geological processes give it its unique character within our solar system, students will develop an appreciation of the Earth as a geologically active, habitable planet.

Learning outcomes
1. An ability to describe the important processes involved in the formation and geological evolution of the Earth.

2. Demonstrate an understanding of the processes that have maintained the Earth as a habitable planet over geological time.

3. Have an understanding of some of the important scientific methods and data that underpin important theories in the earth sciences, such as plate tectonics, Earth‘s long-term climate, and the history of atmospheric oxygen, and develop the ability to apply some simple analytical methods to real data.

4. The ability to consider the Earth as a system and to understand how processes in the solid Earth interact with those in the atmosphere/oceans (and vice versa).

5. The ability to describe and explain the key differences between the Earth with other planets in the solar system.

6. An ability to collect accurate scientific data, consider source of uncertainty when making measurements, and to work effectively as part of a team.

Skills outcomes
This module provides a background view at big picture geology, covering topics such as the evolution of the Earth, what makes it habitable for life, and how it functions as a geologically active planet. It will help develop (geo)scientific literacy and introduce some contemporary issues, such as climate change and natural resource management.

Syllabus

Origin of elements and planets

Nucleosynthesis, solar nebula hypothesis, and construction of planets

Earth’s major layers: the core, mantle, crust, and atmosphere

Chemical and physical differentiation of the Earth

Physical and chemical evolution of Earth's surface environment 

The theory of plate tectonic, geological processes at plate margins, and history of atmospheric oxygen and surface water

Earth’s climate through time

Long term climate stability, glacial cycles, and Earth’s tectonic thermostat

Life, humans, and the Earth

Emergence of life and evolutionary trajectory, and the rise of human civilization and the Anthropocene.

The search for exoplanets

Methods for the detection and study of exoplanets and the possibilities of life on habitable planets elsewhere in the galaxy.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	10	2.00	20.00
Practical	10	2.00	20.00
Independent online learning hours			15.00
Private study hours			45.00
Total Contact hours			40.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			100.00

Private study

Online learning would include the accessing of recorded lecture material or pre-prepared podcasts.

In addition, students are expected to undertake reading of course texts as noted in the individual lecture materials to supplement their notes.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Summary MCQs will be provided for each topic to help students test their understanding/knowledge. These will have generic feedback on each answer and can be re-done during the semester.

Students will get face to face feedback in practical classes and will talk through answers to exercises with staff and can meet staff to discuss things using their office hours / open door policy.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Practical	Assessed practical (group work and question sheet)	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
Online Time-Limited assessment	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

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 04/09/2024

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