BSc Environmental Science

CGE1405B: Earth System Science

The Earth consists of a series of interacting natural systems (lithosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, biosphere, atmosphere). The interactions between these systems, called feedbacks, are central to analysing the functioning of major aspects of the Earth, such as climate, sea level and biotic evolution. This way of looking at our world is also critical in analysing the human impact on the Earth system and identifying management strategies to mitigate, remediate or predict geological and environmental hazards and impacts, and in identifying resources. This module is therefore about connectedness and the development of an approach to understanding the Earth that emphasises the connections between the components rather than the components themselves. This module requires no prior skills or experience and is particularly suitable for interdisciplinary pathways.

This module aims to:

• Explore our understanding of Earth origins, the evolution of the solar system, of the ocean, the biosphere and the atmosphere.
• Introduce natural systems theory.
• Identify the Earth’s component natural systems and the Earth’s climate system, its forcings and feedbacks.
• Describe plate tectonics and the role of the internal system in determining or controlling rock formation, the sedimentary cycle, the carbon cycle, Earth surface landforms (geomorphology), oceanic gateways and barriers, biotic evolution.
• Analyse orbital and gravitational controls on the Earth: tides, days, seasons, years.
• Explore the influence of tides on the timing and rate of Earth-moon separation.
• Describe solar variability and its impact on Earth climate.
• Describe the Earth’s radiation balance, atmospheric and oceanic circulation and their role in redistributing heat around the Earth.
• Analyse interactions between the hydrosphere and the cryosphere.
• Identify and describe major biogeochemical cycles, in particular the carbon cycle.
• Explore the causes of major climatic changes through geological time.
• Discuss the evolution of hominids and the interactions of humanity with the Earth system.t

The module will involve a fieldwork component involving an investigation of evidence for sea-level change on the Cornish coastline.

This module will help you to develop and extend your awareness of the importance of taught and learnt skills in strengthening employability potential, especially through the application of critical analytical skills (review of scientific literature, simple calculations) to a range of contemporary global challenges, notably climate change and geoengineering. More generally, through attending the fieldwork and weekly lectures, alongside your own independent learning, you will develop the following academic and professional skills:

• fundamental problem solving (linking theory to practice with academic guidance), collaboration (learning about the views and values of others), and audience awareness (presenting ideas effectively, persuading others of the importance and relevance of your views, responding positively and effectively to questions).

The teaching contributions on this module involve elements of research undertaken by staff, such as work on sea-level change (Scourse). Moreover, you are encouraged to undertake enquiry-led learning, specifically through the field component.

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CGE1408B: Global Issues in Environmental Science

This module is designed to give you a clear, two-part journey through critical environmental issues we face today. We spend the first half of the term focused strictly on the science of "Planetary Boundaries"—specifically looking at the current state of our air, oceans, land use, and biodiversity. We zoom in on these areas because they have already crossed into risky, unhealthy territory.

In the second half, we widen the lens to include the human side of the equation further. We explore how those ecological lines we crossed earlier connect to real-world social issues like global health, mining, and natural hazards. The big takeaway is that these aren't separate problems; crashing through an environmental boundary often hurts human health, while trying to fix social problems can put more stress on the planet. Rather than just looking at "trade-offs," we aim to teach you how to navigate toward a "safe and just space" where humanity can thrive without breaking the Earth's life-support systems.

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CGE1419: Introduction to Data Science

This module provides practical insights into how scientists use data to answer research questions in environmental, marine, and geographical sciences. The module is designed to build skills progressively: starting with foundational maths, moving on to programming in R, and culminating in the analysis of real environmental datasets using a range of statistical techniques.

Through a combination of lectures, practical workshops, and online resources, you will learn to:

• Handle, clean, and manipulate datasets
• Explore and visualise data effectively
• Apply descriptive and inferential statistics
• Conduct linear and non-linear analyses
• Integrate these skills to investigate applied environmental science questions

Weekly lectures introduce the theory behind the techniques covered in the practical classes. Practical sessions are supported by academic and teaching staff and focus on applying methods to real-world environmental data, including datasets from field studies, time series, and ecological measurements.

Assessment is through four online quizzes and associated practical exercises that give you hands-on experience of the full data analysis workflow, from messy data to interpreted results.

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CGE1421: Marine and Environmental Science Field Course

This module provides early career training in fieldwork techniques that are fundamental to your degree in marine and environmental science. Cornwall is a natural laboratory with an incredible diversity of ecological and physical landscapes that you will have an opportunity to explore with academic staff. Specifically, you will receive instruction on marine science and environmental science techniques including, but not limited to, participant observation, recording field data, field sketching, sampling strategies and basic data handling, which is essential for your future career as a marine or environmental scientist.

The location of the fieldtrip will be in Cornwall, which has many areas designated as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) with a high density of conservation, Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs). Cornwall contains some of Britain's finest coastal scenery, including Land's End, the Lizard peninsula and twenty-two MCZs, and provides a perfect setting for marine and environmental exploration.

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CGE1450: Field Course: Environment and Sustainability on the Isles of Scilly

This module explores questions of environmental change and sustainability by looking at the practicalities of research design and methodology in relation to the Isles of Scilly, UK. The module supports you to develop the conceptual, analytical and practical research skills necessary for you to carry out independent research work. The Isles of Scilly is an ideal location in which you will get to think about a range of methodologies used in environmental science and in physical and human geography. This module has two aims: (1) to highlight processes of climate and environmental change and the ways in which communities (human and natural) respond; (2) to prepare you to complete research projects within your degree programme, introducing you to a range of skills relevant to your chosen discipline by means of enquiry in a particular field environment. Independent research constitutes a central element in your degree programme and is a critical skill in employability. The module will allow you to choose from projects focused on introducing and practicing a range of key research skills, including stratigraphy, social science surveying, landscape observation, policy analysis, marine science sampling, and mapping and monitoring environmental change. The module aims will be achieved via staff-delivered content, supported activities and group and individual projects. The module builds on the introductory fieldwork experiences of Stage 1 and prepares you for your field work and independent dissertation research in Stage 3. This module is compulsory for students on the BA/BSc Geography, BSc Environmental Sciences, BSc Geography and Geology, and BSc Marine Science programmes.

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LAW1016C: A Legal Foundation for Environmental Protection

In this module you will be introduced to law in the context of the environment and how important the legal process is in its protection. The module seeks to provide you with an overview of all the different ways in which law can be used to protect the environment and give you the tools to choose which types of law are most suitable in different environmental contexts.

You will develop empathy for the different stakeholders in environmental issues. We will consider pathways to reconcile competing interests in an attempt to strike a balance between developmental or industrial progress and the need to protect our environment.

You are not expected to have any legal knowledge or experience and the module is therefore ideal for students on an interdisciplinary pathway, as well as being a compulsory element of the Environmental Science degree.

The module is designed as an essential foundation for those seeking employment following graduation in an environmental field where a working knowledge of law and policy will be assumed. It also provides an excellent foundation for further legal study.

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BEP1150: Environment, Society and Business

Business-as-usual is threatening the stability of the ecosystems that support our lives. We are exceeding planetary boundaries: most of the land surface and the ocean are impacted by human activities, forests continue to be cut down to make space for agriculture and animal husbandry, the poles are losing their ice, the depletion of natural resources such as drinking water is affecting local communities worldwide, overfishing and loss of biodiversity are increasing at a dramatic rate. Addressing challenges of this scale require an interdisciplinary response. It requires cooperation, long-sightedness and critical, creative and system thinking. This module brings different disciplines together to draw attention to the role our economy plays in exacerbating the ecological crisis, and what a sustainable economy might look like. The module offers an introductory insight into ecology, environmental science and different traditions of economic thought linking the economy and the environment. In so doing, it provides the theoretical basis for understanding, designing and implementing new purpose-driven business models, enabling business to make a positive contribution to the environment and society. No prior knowledge skills or experience is needed in order to able to take this module. This module is recommended for interdisciplinary pathways.

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CGE1412: Society, Environment and Energy

Understanding the way in which people interact with the environment is one of the most important issues facing contemporary society. Many of these interactions are shaped by our pursuit for energy, i.e. to help warm our homes, power our economy, help us to move around, and provide us with light, comfort and entertainment. As well as impacting upon society, the pursuit of energy also has profound implications for the environment.

This module explores the relationship between society, the environment and energy, and considers the way in which these dimensions, and the interactions therein, have coevolved over time. To do so, it will introduce you to broad themes in environmental understanding, and apply them to the specific case study of climate change and energy.

This module explores the range, nature and implications of society-environment interactions, with a particular focus on past, contemporary, and future energy systems. The module explores the contested nature of interactions in global, national, regional, and local contexts, and the role of different stakeholder groups (e.g. policy makers, interest groups, the media, the public etc.) in shaping them. The module will introduce students to key concepts and theoretical frameworks, as well as real world case studies, for critically examining these interactions.

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CGE1413: The Geography of Cornwall

This team-taught module encourages you to develop an integrated geographical imagination by studying the geography of Cornwall. The module takes a broad sweep of Cornwall's history, looking at the importance of physical geography, geomorphological processes, patterns of human settlement, culture and economic development. The content is designed to ensure that you have a holistic understanding of geography that includes the physical and human environment, incorporating geomorphology along with attention to the economy, politics, society and culture. The module introduces core concepts that resonate across the university curriculum including ideas about place, landscape, territory, scale and region. Attention is paid to highlighting the importance of ideas in shaping what we see and how we think about geography and places. The module includes a fieldtrip, student-led presentations, and a written assessment

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CGE1420: Atmospheric and Oceanic Systems, Their Interactions and Importance

How are atmospheric and oceanic circulation patterns formed, how are these systems interlinked and how do they interact, what drives the weather systems, why is carbon important, and how do we know what our climate and weather was like in the past and what it may look like in the future? This module takes the first steps in answering all of these questions by giving you a solid understanding of the Earth's two major dynamic systems; the oceans and atmosphere. Weekly lectures are supported by seminar sessions where we discuss relevant case studies and group tasks to support the weekly lecture content. Two practical classes involve using interactive iPython/Jupyter notebooks to study the water carbonate system and atmosphere-ocean gas exchange in the North Atlantic and the Fal river. The module teaching includes the use of videos by invited speakers, Technology, Education and Design (TED) talks, journal papers, music, additional online resources, and examples of recent research advances made by staff at the all Exeter campuses.

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CGE1423: Biodiversity and its Conservation

Most people will be aware that the world is considered to be experiencing a biodiversity crisis. You’ll hear or read about it in the media all the time. But what do we actually mean by biodiversity? Where does it come from and how is it maintained in nature? Why is it important to humanity? How do human activities lead to its decline? What can be done to slow or even halt the decline? In this module, we will address all these questions to give students a solid foundation in the science of biodiversity and an understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of biodiversity conservation.

This module will introduce you to the theory and concepts of biodiversity and conservation science. It aims to provide you with a basis on which to build expertise in this area and grow your understanding of how conservation requires input from many disciplines beyond biology.

In addition, you will gain practical experience in some aspects of this field, such as conducting biodiversity surveys, carrying out an IUCN Red List assessment, and planning conservation action.

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CSM1031: Earth and Environmental Chemistry

A sound appreciation of chemistry is relevant for understanding the environment we live in and the challenges we face. This module starts with an exploration of atomic structure, highlighting how atoms are classified in the Periodic Table of Elements and linking this to fundamental concepts in chemistry, including thermodynamics, kinetics, pH and redox. The distribution of chemicals in natural systems is addressed, emphasising the role and types of chemical reactions in different environments and methods for their detection and analytical characterisation. Aims of the module:

- To gain an understanding of atomic structure;

- To gain an understanding of atoms in materials;

- To gain an understanding of chemical reactions;

- To gain an understanding of chemical analysis;

- To gain an understanding of fundamental principles of thermodynamics;

- To gain an understanding of chemical transformations in aqueous environments;

- To gain an understanding of chemical laboratory and analytical practice;

- To gain an understanding of the major mechanisms which govern the mobility, fate and remediation of environmental chemical pollutants

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CSM1041: Quantitative Methods for Geoscientists

Mathematics and data are at the heart of all science and engineering subjects: we create mathematical models to understand and predict the behaviour of physical systems and we use mathematics to understand data and make precise, quantitative statements about the world. Provided at least a good grade at GCSE level mathematics, this module takes students of all levels of experience or confidence and brings them up to a level required to use mathematics as a tool in their other chosen pathways and modules.

This module aims to:

1. provide a solid foundation in key areas of mathematics;
2. develop your quantitative reasoning skills in the context of the geosciences;
3. develop your appreciation for the role of mathematical modelling and the complexity of mathematical issues in the geosciences.

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POC1021: Key Concepts in Politics and International Relations

How and when did China, Russia, North Korea or Cuba become the 'bad guys' in mainstream popular culture and the news? Why does mainstream news prioritize the US' foreign policies over Brazil's, for instance? What do we mean by realist, constructivist or idealist approaches in IR? Are such 'old school' concepts still relevant in an increasingly globalized world where borders appear to be blurred? What other approaches has IR, as a discipline, shied away from and why is it important that we centre our analysis around them? Our global world, some would argue, is at an important historical juncture: the environment, sexual rights and space exploration have become major debates alongside increasingly populist states. How do we make sense of this variety? Who has the power to implement such analyses? Our module attempts to make sense of our world by drawing together classic and contemporary analysis in IR. We will draw on scholarly works whilst examining them in tandem with historical and current events.

No prior knowledge skills or experience are required to take this module and it is suitable for specialist and non-specialist students. The module is suitable for students studying Politics, History or International Relations.

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CGE2440: Geographical Information Science and Systems

How can spatial information be used to effectively manage the natural environment? In this module you will learn how to use geographical information software to analyse environmental data. In a major piece of coursework you will use Cornwall as a natural laboratory to investigate where to situate a nature reserve for conservation of the nationally rare silver studded blue butterfly.

This module aims to develop your understanding of the theoretical and practical skills required to create and manage complex spatial datasets for environmental purposes. The ability to use and understand GIS is a highly employable skillset. In addition, through weekly computer practicals, you will further enhance your professional skills in problem solving (linking theory to practice, being able to respond to novel and unfamiliar problems), time management and decision making.

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CGE2441: Remote Sensing for Environmental Management

Spatial data acquired by satellites, and other flying platforms are increasingly used in decision-making processes about the natural environment. These ‘remotely sensed’ data are fundamentally measurements describing the way that electromagnetic radiation interacts with materials and substances on the Earth’s surface and scientists can use these to create dynamic maps and build models describing Earth system processes through space and time. In this module you will learn about the different ways that we can use remote sensing to monitor the Earth, starting from the ground and working upwards into space where Earth observation satellites are in orbit. In this module we cover the theory and applications of remote sensing drawing on examples from terrestrial and marine applications.

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CGE2469: Research Design and Methods

How do you design and conduct high-quality rigorous research? This module will introduce you to the key conceptual, analytical, research, and communication skills necessary for undertaking a robust, independent research project within and beyond the University. Through this module you will gain a grounding in the knowledge and skills required to understand and apply a range of methods and techniques of data collection and analysis and an in-depth understanding of how to design, and do, high-quality research.

Beyond your degree, this module also equips you with key employability attributes for professional careers through skill development embedded within the module. These include:

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LAW2016C: Environmental Regulation and Redress

If you are concerned about environmental destruction and ensuring accountability on a global basis, then learning to articulate your argument and back it up with a sound grasp of the law might help you to make a real difference! The module will help you establish a working knowledge of how the law can be used as a mechanism to reconcile competing values in the protection of the environment and seeks to develop an understanding of the legal avenues available to mitigate environmental harm. As an environmentally aware individual, how can you use the law to prevent harm and what can you do if you feel that another individual or business has committed an environmental wrong? How can legal tools be used to redress and repair environmental harm? As you progress through the module, you will discover answers to these and other questions.

You will look at the role of national and international law in setting environmental standards. You will critically reflect on the extent to which the law across the world, including indigenous laws and cultural norms, might be used to embed pro-environmental and sustainable behaviour.

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CGE3508: One Year Study Abroad

The Geography, Environmental Science, and Marine Science degrees in Cornwall offer you the possibility to apply for a place to study abroad at a partner university. You must attain average grades of 60% or above in your first year of study, and maintain an average of 55% in your second year, to continue on or enter the “with Study Abroad” programmes. The full application process is described on the Global Opportunities website at https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/studyabroad/outbound/.

If you meet the requirements and accept your university placement, you will spend one academic year abroad, usually the third year of a four-year programme. At the end of your Study Abroad year, your marks are translated into the Exeter grade system and contribute to your degree.

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CGE3324: Professional Placement

Increasingly, graduate positions request that applicants have work experience applicable to the role. This year-long module will enable you to immerse yourself in a professional environment; you will learn to apply the skills learnt during the first and second years, improve personal and transferable skills, make new contacts and enhance employability. Feedback and support will be provided by the module convenor and the placement host.

This module will enable you to develop subject-specific and general professional skills. You will research suitable organisations, consider the opportunities that positions offer you and practice writing covering letters and CVs. This module offers an excellent opportunity for you to immerse yourself in an environment where you can develop subject-specific and general professional skills, gain a greater understanding of the use of your degree and ultimately improve your CV. You will gain feedback throughout the placement from the placement host and the module convenor and you will be encouraged to reflect on your experiences during the placement to help you to make career decisions for the future. The module allows you to apply your learning during your degree to a real-world setting.

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CGE3476: Dissertation in Environmental Science

Doing a genuinely original piece of research is a crucial part of your academic training. In this module you will get hands on experience of participating in world-class research, guided by professional researchers. You will learn how to design, plan and implement a self-contained research project and will have the opportunity to draw on the knowledge and skills you have acquired throughout your degree programme.

The dissertation provides you with the opportunity to undertake an independent and original piece of research, drawing on the substantive intellectual themes developed in the Environmental Science programme. MSci Environmental Science students are encouraged to treat this dissertation as a pilot project leading to a more in-depth study of the chosen topic in year 4.

The aims of the dissertation are for you to develop:

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