Module manager: Caroline Peacock
Email: C.L.Peacock@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
| SOEE3110 | Earth System Science: BGC Cyc |
This module is not approved as a discovery module
Biogeochemical cycles describe how elements move through the Earth system. It is important to understand this because elements like carbon are the building blocks of life, while other elements like nutrients, are essential for life. Their cycling has therefore shaped the development of the Earth system over Earth history and will be critical to maintaining and sustaining a habitable planet into the future. This module introduces the key underpinning concepts of biogeochemical cycles, and then looks at how the major biogeochemical cycles work and how they can be used to understand the Earth system. The module will cover the carbon cycle and some of the nutrient cycles, and show how these elements move through the lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere. The module will explore how biogeochemical cycles are driven by and impact on life, and how feedbacks within and between biogeochemical cycles affect the Earth system. The module includes scenario testing to explore how changes to biogeochemical cycles impact the Earth system and vice versa, how changes to the Earth system impact biogeochemical cycles.
On this module students will build a detailed understanding of the concept of biogeochemistry, biogeochemical cycles and their importance to the Earth system.
You will develop a detailed knowledge of the key biogeochemical cycles, including the carbon cycle, and how these elements move through the Earth system.
You will engage with some of the current debates in biogeochemistry to deepen your understanding of the links between the key biogeochemical cycles and life, and how feedbacks within and between biogeochemical cycles affect the Earth system.
You will investigate how biogeochemical cycles have shaped the Earth system in the past and how they might do so in the future.
Through hands-on experience you will learn how numerical models are used to track how elements move through the Earth system, and you will use a numerical model to track and evaluate how changes to a biogeochemical cycle impact the Earth system.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
SSLO1: Discuss in detail the concept of biogeochemistry, biogeochemical cycles and their importance to the Earth system.
SSLO2: Explain in detail the carbon cycle and nutrient cycles, and how these elements move through the Earth system.
SSLO3: Critically evaluate the links between biogeochemical cycles and life, and the feedbacks within and between biogeochemical cycles that affect the Earth system.
SSLO4: Investigate how biogeochemical cycles change through time and how this impacts the Earth system.
SSLO5: Iteratively apply a numerical model to track and critically evaluate a biogeochemical cycle and investigate how changes to this cycle impact the Earth system.
SSLO6: Independently reflect, research and critically evaluate a biogeochemical cycle and its role in the Earth system.
SSLO7: Prepare, process, interpret and present concepts and data using appropriate qualitative and quantitative techniques.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
SKLO1: Information searching to find and use peer-reviewed research articles to develop an in-depth understanding of a biogeochemical cycle and its role in the Earth system (Academic; Enterprise; Sustainability).
SKLO2: Critical thinking to weigh up different arguments and perspectives, using supporting evidence to form opinions, arguments, theories and ideas (Academic; Work Ready; Sustainability).
SKLO3: Reflection to identify opportunities and actively learn about a biogeochemical cycle and its role in the Earth system (Work Ready; Enterprise).
SKLO4: Writing to introduce, discuss and critically evaluate a biogeochemical cycle and its role in the Earth system (Academic).
SKLO5: Problem solving to interrogate a biogeochemical cycle and test how changes to the biogeochemical cycle impact the Earth system (Work Ready; Sustainability).
SKLO6: Numerical and computational proficiency to appropriately design and iteratively evaluate computer model inputs and outputs (Work Ready).
SKLO7: Time management, organisation and planning to ensure work can be completed on time (Work Ready; Academic).
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supervision | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Lecture | 10 | 2 | 20 |
| Practical | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Seminar | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Private study hours | 123 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 27 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 150 | ||
Students can gain verbal formative feedback from staff and demonstrators on their results and analysis prior to submission of the report coursework during timetabled practicals and drop-in problem-solving sessions. Students can also gain formative written feedback from staff on their numerical computer code prior to submission of the report coursework by submitting their code. Students can gain verbal formative feedback from staff prior to submission of their essay during a drop-in supervision feedback session. Students can also gain verbal formative feedback on their report and essay coursework during regularly scheduled office hours. If students cannot attend these then they can also email staff for an alternative time or ask for support and feedback via email.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Coursework | 50 |
| Coursework | Coursework | 50 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
There is no reading list for this module
Last updated: 29/04/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team