2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

SOEE1434 Water

10 creditsClass Size: 100

Module manager: Graham Mann
Email: G.W.Mann@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

Pre-requisite qualifications

GCSE General Science or equivalent

Module replaces

SOEE1433 Water in the Environment

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

You will gain a general overview of the many important roles that water plays in the global environmental system. The module introduces the basic properties of water as a substance and explains why these make it a unique and important part of the terrestrial environmental system. By the end of the module you will have an understanding of the major components of the environmental system in which water plays a key role: the atmosphere, oceans, ice and land surface. The focus is on highlighting the diverse and interesting array of phenomena for which water is of fundamental importance, including climate change, storms, sea ice and glaciers, flooding and hydrology, and biodiversity in waterways and the oceans. The emphasis of the module is on providing a holistic view of water within the environmental system. This will act as a primer for more specialised modules at subsequent study levels.

Objectives

The module examines the importance of water in the global environmental system. The module will introduce the major reservoirs of water on Earth: from the vast oceans, to rivers, snow and ice caps, and the role of water as a "fuel" for our weather and climate. You will learn how human activities are changing our environment and the key role of water for shaping these changes. By the end of the module you will have an understanding of the global water cycle and its components, including the influence of human activities on water resources.

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. demonstrate knowledge of the main ways in which water shapes the global environmental system;
2. describe and explain the global water cycle and the connections between the major reservoirs of water in the environmental system (i.e. atmosphere, oceans, rivers, glaciers, ice sheets);
3. have knowledge of some of the major themes related to water in the environment including: climate change, sea ice and glaciers, the oceans and ocean biodiversity, hydrology, water quality, and flooding.

Skills learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
4. Critical thinking
5. Problem solving and analytical skills
6. Systems thinking

Syllabus

Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lectures	14	1.00	14.00
Practicals	4	1.00	4.00
Private study hours			82.00
Total Contact hours			18.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			100.00

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Students receive formative feedback via Questions for Understanding exercises during the course and will receive formative feedback on these. These help students prepare for the unseen online time limited assessment at the end of the course.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Assignment	OTLA	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

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: 24/06/2024

Disclaimer

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