MODULE SPECIFICATION

Code: USSJ9D-20-1 Title: Physical Environmental Systems Version: 4

Level: 1 UWE credit rating: 20 ECTS credit rating: 10

Module type: Standard

Owning Faculty: Health and Life Sciences Dept.: Applied Sciences

Faculty Committee approval: SLS Quality and Standards Date: June 2010

Approved for Delivery by: Filton College

Valid from: September 2010 Discontinued from:

Contributes towards: FdSc Integrated Wildlife Conservation

Pre-requisites: None

Co-requisites: None

Entry requirements: N/A

Excluded combinations: None

Learning outcomes:

Students will be able to:

    • define the terminology of environmental systems;

    • describe the operation of the dynamic Earth system;

    • explain the physical concepts underlying the operation of the Earth system;

    • understand the operation and interaction of the hydrosphere, lithosphere and atmosphere.

Syllabus outline:

Introduction to environmental systems. System dynamics. - flows, residence times, sinks, cycles, feedback, change and equilibrium. Isolated, closed and open systems.

Introduction to global energy and biogeochemical cycles - the transfer of matter and energy within and between systems. Global energy, hydrological cycle, major element cycles.

Energy and matter cycling within, and interaction between, the hydrosphere, atmosphere and lithosphere.

Origins, evolution, composition and operation of the lithosphere.

Origins, evolution, composition and operation of the hydrosphere.

Origins, evolution, composition and operation of the atmosphere.

Teaching and learning methods:

A variety of teaching and learning approaches will be employed. Practical sessions will provide 'hands-on' experience and will be used to under-pin the learning outcomes of this module. Practical and tutorial sessions also provide students the opportunity to acquire data handling and problem solving skills. Lectures will be used to introduce main concepts and to guide and inform student centred learning. Student learning will be supported through audio-visual material including on-line learning through the University's Virtual Learning Environment (Blackboard), CD-ROMs and interactive revision material. Workbooks and practical logbooks will be used to develop a culture of continuous learning.

All sessions will be used to inform and provoke critical thinking and awareness. These will also provide essential background information.

Reading Strategy

All students will be encouraged to make full use of the print and electronic resources available to them through membership of the University. These include a range of electronic journals and a wide variety of resources available through web sites and information gateways. The University Library’s web pages provide access to subject relevant resources and services, and to the library catalogue. Many resources can be accessed remotely. Students will be presented with opportunities within the curriculum to develop their information retrieval and evaluation skills in order to identify such resources effectively.

Any essential reading will be indicated clearly, along with the method for accessing it, e.g. students may be expected to purchase a set text, be given or sold a print study pack or be referred to texts that are available electronically, etc. This guidance will be available either in the module handbook, via the module information on Blackboard or through any other vehicle deemed appropriate by the module/programme leaders.

If further reading is expected, this will be indicated clearly. If specific texts are listed, a clear indication will be given regarding how to access them and, if appropriate, students will be given guidance on how to identify relevant sources for themselves, e.g. through use of bibliographical databases.

Indicative Reading List:

Strahler, A. & Strahler, A. (2002) Physical Geography, Science & Systems of the Human Environment, Wiley.

Wright, J. (2003) Environmental Chemistry, Routledge.

Strahler, A. H., (2006) Introducing Physical Geography, 4th Edition, Wiley.
    

Holden, J., (2005) An introduction to Physical Geography and the Environment, Prentice Hall.
    

Park C. (2001) The Environment. Principles and Applications, 2nd Edition, Routledge, London

Botkin, D.B., & Keller, E.A. (2000) Environmental Science, Earth as a Living Planet, Wiley, London.

Briggs D., Smithson P., Addison K. and Atkinson K. (1997) Fundamentals of the Pysical Evironment, Routledge, London.

Jackson A. and Jackson J. (1996) Environmental Science, Longmans, Harlow.

Ramsden, E.N. (1996) Chemistry of the Environment, Stanley Thorns.

O’Niell, P (Various years) Environmental Chemistry, Chapman and Hall.

Assessment

Please state which element of assessment should be recorded as the final assessment for the purposes of submitting data on non-submissions to HEFCE. (For further information please contact Academic Registry.)

Weighting between components A and B (standard modules only) A: 40% B: 60%

ATTEMPT 1

First Assessment Opportunity (Sit)

Component A

Description of each element Element weighting

EX1 Examination (1 hour) 1

EX2 Examination (1 hour) FINAL ASSESSMENT 1

Component B

Description of each element Element weighting

CW1 Essay (1,500 words) 1

CW2 Group Project 1

Second Assessment Opportunity (Resit) (further attendance at taught classes is/is not required)

Component A

Description of each element Element weighting

EX3 Examination (2 hours) FINAL ASSESSMENT 1

Component B

Description of each element Element weighting

CW1 Essay (1,500 words) 1

CW2 Individual Project 1

EXCEPTIONAL SECOND ATTEMPT (Retake): Attendance at taught classes is/is not required.

Specification confirmed by …………………………………………………Date ……………………………

(Associate Dean/Programme Director)

Back to top