2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

SOEE3110 Earth System Science: Biogeochemical Cycles

10 creditsClass Size: 40

Module manager: Will Homoky
Email: W.Homoky@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

Pre-requisite qualifications

Successful completion of BSc. Geology level 2 (for geologists)

This module is mutually exclusive with

SOEE5232M

Biogeochemical Cycles of Earth

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 also 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 to investigate 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 gained within the context of the numerical modelling. Students will then use this numerical modelling as the basis for a research report, focusing on a single biogeochemical cycle.

Students will also gain the ability to research in depth a single biogeochemical cycle, or aspect of biogeochemical cycling, to produce a timed research essay drawing on relevant research literature. Associated skills of written communication and information literacy will be gained within the context of the research report and the timed research essay.

Skills outcomes
During this module, students will gain the ability to use numerical models to look at the impact on the Earth System of simple past and future perturbations to the biogeochemical cycles.

Students will have the opportunity to further develop their numerical modelling and IT skills, via the numerical modelling component, together with their written communication, information literacy and independent research skills, via the numerical modelling, research report and timed research essay components.

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 of global biogeochemistry. 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 that 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 to support and augment their learning. In particular, students will be expected to undertake independent reading and research in order to complete the assessed components 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 use of simple computer programming techniques and students will be expected to practice these in their own time, detailed as independent online learning hours above.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Student progress in numerical modelling and preparation of the associated research report will be supported by dedicated practical classes and help sessions during office hours. A first draft of the research report will be submitted for formative feedback ahead of the summative submission. The research report will be marked before the end of the module so that students gain marks and feedback before the timed research essay.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Computer Exercise	Carbon Cycle Modelling Report (1,800 words)	50.00
Essay	Timed research essay. Choice of 1 from 3 questions. Timing to be confirmed but expected to be released at the end of the penultimate teaching week and due a week later at the end of the last teaching week; 1,500 words	50.00
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 website

Last updated: 11/10/2024 16:30:04

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