2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

SOEE1461 Environmental Science for Sustainability

20 Credits Class Size: 140

Module manager: Evgenia Ilyinskaya
Email: E.Ilyinskaya@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

Mutually Exclusive

SOEE1010 Intro to the Environment
SOEE1014 Intro to Environmental Science
SOEE1024 Introduction to Environmental Science (Semester 2)

Module replaces

SOEE1460 Environmental Science for Environmental Management

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

Introduction to key concepts of environmental science, major environmental challenges of today, and their mitigation. No background in natural/environmental sciences is required. The main topics are atmosphere (key challenges including climate change and air pollution), hydrosphere (including flooding and hydrology), geosphere (geohazards, landslides), biosphere (Food, land and land-use change, nutrient cycling).

Objectives

On completion of the module students will have acquired:
1. An understanding of key environmental processes in the atmosphere, oceans, geosphere and biosphere
2. An understanding of major environmental challenges of today, and the interactions between natural processes and human activities
3. Understand the science and impact of environmental challenges at different spatial levels; local, regional and international
4. Understand how environmental science can inform an effective approach to environmental management
5. An ability to interpret and communicate complex datasets and principles of environmental challenges to a non-scientific audience, including policymakers and the general public
6. An insight into the ethical considerations surrounding studying environmental challenges, the responsibilities of researchers in risk management, and the nuances of creating bespoke communication projects to different audiences.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject: 
1. Understand scientific concepts of key environmental processes.
2. Gain knowledge about the interface between environmental processes and societal factors, the mitigation of environmental challenges, and the blurred boundaries between natural vs human hazards
3. Explain the importance of communication surrounding natural hazards and climate change, and how to tailor science communication of hazards to various audiences
4. Use digital technology and data visualisation techniques to report on environmental challenges and their mitigation

Skills learning outcomes
Through this module, students will gain skills in: 
1. Reading and reporting on key concepts of environmental science (Academic, Sustainability).
2. Reading and reporting on societal issues associated with environmental challenges (Academic, Sustainability).
3. Synthesise relevant scientific information in a report (Academic, Sustainability, Work-ready); 
4. Communicate scientific information to non-scientific audiences (Technical, Digital, Work-ready). 

Syllabus

Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module.

Teaching Methods

Delivery type Number Length hours Student hours
Lectures 20 1 20
Fieldwork 1 8 8
Private study hours 172
Total Contact hours 28
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) 200

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Formative feedback will be provided during self-administered computer based MCQ tests, with diagnostic feedback; bulletin board; individual advisory sessions as required.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework
Assessment type Notes % of formal assessment
Assignment Coursework 20
Assignment Coursework 80
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) 100

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading List

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 7/16/2024

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team