Earth System Science: Our Changing Planet
| Module title | Earth System Science: Our Changing Planet |
|---|---|
| Module code | GEO1213 |
| Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 220 |
|---|
Module description
This module will provide you with an introductory understanding of the processes operating within the contemporary Earth System, and how these change in time. The module examines the geosphere, ocean and atmosphere, cryosphere and biosphere, and how these systems have been, and may continue to be, influenced by human and naturally-induced environmental changes. The major components of the Earth System will be brought together in the context of contemporary climate change.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module aims to provide you with an introductory understanding of processes operating within the geosphere, oceans, atmosphere, cryosphere and biosphere, and how these processes have been, and continue to be, influenced by human and naturally-induced environmental changes. Earth System Science: Our Changing Planet aims to provide you with much of the background understanding required for a degree in Physical Geography.
This module will contribute to the development of your understanding of how core skills contribute and relate to employability potential, specifically through the application of critical analytical skills to a range of contemporary global challenges.
The teaching contributions on this module involve elements of research undertaken by Physical Geographers at the University of Exeter, and may include (for example) the terrestrial carbon cycle and the biosphere, river erosion and the geosphere the cryosphere and ocean modelling and climate. Moreover, you are encouraged to undertake enquiry-led learning, specifically through the reading of research articles as well as lecture material.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental processes operating within the geosphere, oceans, atmosphere, cryosphere and biosphere
- 2. Identify the relationships between environmental change and earth system responses
- 3. Recognise points of interference between earth systems and human activities
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. Recognise the contested and provisional nature of knowledge and understanding
- 5. Analyse and synthesise information and recognise relevance
- 6. Differentiate between conceptual and empirical knowledge
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 7. Interpret qualitative and quantitative information
- 8. Undertake independent study using appropriate literature
Syllabus plan
The module comprises introductory material followed by four sections covering Biosphere, Geosphere, Cryosphere and Ocean/Climate. Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:
- Climate science basics
- The biosphere, overarching concepts
- Biodiversity, the diversity of life on Earth
- Biogeography, the spatial distribution of the biosphere
- Biogeochemistry, biospheric cycles Ocean circulation
- Shaping of Earth’s crust by plate tectonics
- Introduction to fluvial and arid processes
- Climate-landscape interactions
- The dynamics of the cryosphere
- Ice/climate interactions
- Ice/ocean interactions
- Atmospheric circulation
- Future climate changes
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | 128 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 22 | Lectures (33 x 1 hour) |
| Guided Independent Study | 40 | Reviewing web-based material located on ELE |
| Guided Independent Study | 88 | Reading and preparation for examinations |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sample examination questions set and discussed during lectures | 4 hours | All | Discussion during synchronous learning activities |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 100 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Examination | 100 | 90 minutes | All | Written |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examination | Examination | All | August Ref/Def |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to sit a further examination. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- Holden, J. (ed.) Physical Geography and the Environment
- Smithson, P. Addison, K. and Atkinson, K. Fundamentals of the Physical Environment
- Vallis, G. Climate and the Ocean
- Benn, D. and Evans, D.J.A Glaciers and Glaciation
- Smil, V. The Earth's Biosphere: Evolution, Dynamics and Change. The MIT Press
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 4 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 25/04/2017 |
| Last revision date | 22/11/2023 |
