Module manager: Evgenia Ilyinskaya
Email: E.Ilyinskaya@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
| SOEE1010 | Intro to the Environment |
| SOEE1014 | Intro to Environmental Science |
| SOEE1024 | Introduction to Environmental Science (Semester 2) |
This module is not approved as a discovery module
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 the Planet’ (key challenges including climate change and ‘Resources’ (including energy and mining), ‘Life’ (including biodiversity and land use), and ‘Pollution’ (including water, land and air). The students will also learn the theory and gain practical skills of analysing and visualising environmental data.
On completion of the module students will have acquired:
1. An understanding of key environmental processes in the Earth System (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.
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. Understand the interactions of environmental processes and societal factors, the mitigation of environmental challenges, and the blurred boundaries between natural vs anthropogenic 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. Be able to use digital technology, statistical analysis and data visualisation techniques to report on environmental challenges and their mitigation
Skills learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
5. Reading and reporting on key concepts of environmental science (Academic, Sustainability).
6. Reading and reporting on societal issues associated with environmental challenges (Academic, Sustainability).
7. Analyse and report environmental data using basic and intermediate statistical analysis and data visualisation (Technical, Digital, Work-ready).
8. Synthesise relevant scientific information in a report (Academic, Sustainability, Work-ready);
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supervision | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Lectures | 20 | 1 | 20 |
| Practicals | 3 | 3 | 9 |
| Fieldwork | 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Independent online learning hours | 10 | ||
| Private study hours | 151 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 39 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
Formative MCQs x 4. These will be made available to the students at the end of each of the module’s 4 strands (Planet, Resources, Life, Pollution) to allow students to check their understanding and monitor learning.
Drop-in sessions x2 where students can get formative feedback on the progress of their summative reports. Students can book a one-on-one 10 min session with staff during the drop in session. The sessions will be scheduled in the middle, and towards the end of the term.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Exercise | Computer-based test (MCQ) x3 | 30 |
| Assignment | Scientific report (1,500 words) drawing on lecture and private study materials | 70 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 29/04/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team