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2022/23 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

GEOG1055 Environmental Change: Past and Future

20 creditsClass Size: 100

Module manager: Paul Morris
Email: p.j.morris@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2022/23

Pre-requisite qualifications

none

Module replaces

existing level 1 content

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

Living with environmental change is one of the key challenges for humanity in the 21st century. This module puts the subject into context. It begins by explaining how the climate system has changed in the past and what the consequences have been for plants, animals - and for our own species. Our focus is on the Ice Ages, when colossal ice sheets waxed and waned; at some times mammoths roamed the tundra of Yorkshire, while at others hippos bathed in the water of the Thames. The module then goes on to unpick the workings of the modern climate system, and to explain how it is changing and might continue to change in the future. Throughout, the module uses a mixture of lectures, fieldwork, group projects and case studies to bring this fascinating subject to life.

Objectives

- To introduce students to the history of environmental change and to the mechanisms underpinning current changes to the climate system
- To allow students to develop skills in fieldwork, data analysis, and report writing.

Learning outcomes
- A wide understanding of Quaternary environmental change
- Detailed knowledge of the history of change in particular regions
- An understanding of how such data can be analysed
- Experience of using basic meteorological equipment in the field, and analysing the data produced
- An understanding of the principles governing the behaviour of the climate system
- An understanding of the modes of climatic change that are presently affecting the Earth.
-An appreciation of the impacts of climate change on humanity and the complexity surrounding climate change policies.
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Skills outcomes
.- Fieldwork skills: use of meteorological equipment.

- Data analysis: data entry, analysis and editing skills, statistics, data presentation skills

Syllabus

Module content may include:
- Climate during the Ice Ages
- Landforms of the Ice Ages
- The changing biosphere
- Human evolution
- Human impacts on past environments
- The Quaternary history of Britain
-Physics of present and future climate
- Natural climate phenomena (ENSO, Monsoons and NAO)
-Observed and projected climate change
-Climate impact on nature and humans
-Climate change mitigation and adaptation

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Laboratory	3	2.00	6.00
Computer Class	3	2.00	6.00
Fieldwork	1	8.00	8.00
Lecture	31	1.00	31.00
Seminar	1	2.00	2.00
Independent online learning hours			7.00
Private study hours			140.00
Total Contact hours			53.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

Lectures and practicals will be accompanied by reading lists (textbooks and journal articles), with an expectation of around two hours reading in support of each lecture.

Further private study time will be spent in preparing coursework and revising for the exam, and in preparing group presentations.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

- Coursework will provide formal opportunities for feedback between staff and students - although this is all group work.

- We will also use the VLE to provide individual feedback, with online (non-assessed) MCQ tests twice per semester.

- This will allow students to get individual feedback and also allow us to monitor the engagement of individual students with the module.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Report	Individual report Urban heat island project - 1,600 words	40.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		40.00

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)	1 hr 30 mins	60.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		60.00

MCQs

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 28/04/2023 14:56:05

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