Global Environmental Change

Overview

The module will focus on the nature, causes and consequences of environmental change. Changes in the various aspects of the Earth system including the Earth’s climate, hydrological systems and ecosystems will be investigated. A range of geographical methods will be employed to examine these changes, including palaeo-environmental records. The role of humans in changing the Earth’s environment will be investigated and will be placed in the context of past environmental change and natural variability.

Learning Objectives

After completion of the module students will:
• Have a knowledge and understanding of the causes and consequences of environmental change over different timescales
• Develop skills in analysing and interpreting secondary environmental data
• Be able to interpret and critically evaluate scientific literature
• Enhance skills in scientific writing

Skills

Students are expected to allocate study time in proportion to the significance of issues covered within the lecture course. Successful completion of the module will result in acquisition and/or enhancement of the following skills. (P=Practised; T=Taught; A=Assessed)
Subject-specific skills
Key skills
Employability skills (see ‘key skills’ above)
Critical thinking, verbal and written communication, explanation of complex ideas and concepts, presentation, analysis and interpretation of numerical information, ability to synthesise and critique multiple sources of information.

Assessment

None