Global Environmental Processes
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| GEOG1020 | Environmental & Geographical Sciences | 1 | 20 | Full Year Malaysia |
- Code
- GEOG1020
- School
- Environmental & Geographical Sciences
- Level
- 1
- Credits
- 20
- Semesters
- Full Year Malaysia
Summary
This module has two themes:
1. biogeochemical cycling - the production, distribution and cycling of materials on the Earth and their availability to, and use by, biological organisms. The introduction covers the history of the universe, from the big bang to the evolution of the Earth's surface environment, via formation of galaxies, stars, elements and the solar system. Then we describe the major global systems and their circulations as they are today - solids (plate tectonics, formation and erosion of crustal rocks), liquids (oceans, temperature and salinity gradients) and gases (atmosphere, weather and climate). In the final section we examine the major materials - including carbon, nitrogen, sulphur, oxygen and metals - and their budgets and cycles; and the interactions between biological and physical/chemical processes on a global scale.
2. knowledge of atmospheric, oceanic, geomorphological and ecological processes to inform an understanding of global systems and environmental change.
The module considers:
1. Basic principles of climate and general circulation patterns in the atmosphere and ocean
2. Basic principles of geomorphological systems
Target Students
students in the School of Environmental and Geographical Sciences
Classes
- One 2-hour lecture each week for 20 weeks
Assessment
- 50% Exam 1 (1-hour-30-minute): MCQ/ essay exam
- 50% Exam 2 (1-hour-30-minute): MCQs, Essay Style questions
Educational Aims
To give students:1. a general understanding of the physical, chemical and biological development of the Earth since the start of the Universe2. an understanding of the cyclical movement of the major materials such as carbon and nitrogen between biological and non-biological forms.3. an understanding of how physical, ecological and environmental conditions affect global environments, habitats and people4. an outline of the importance of change in affecting physical and biological conditions on earth5. a platform for interpreting large scale geographical and environmental issues. On completion of the module the students will have developed an ability to think analytically about physical, ecological and environmental processes and understand, synthesise and critically evaluate current debates in environmental change within a broader conceptual and scientific framework.Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
A. Knowledge and understanding.
- Describe the origin and formation of the chemical elements, solar system, solid earth, atmosphere and oceans
- Describe the major features of Earth’s energy budget
- Describe the major features of Earth’s atmospheric and oceanic circulations
- Discuss the biogeochemical cycles of key elements on Earth
- Describe geomorphic processes and landforms
- Explain the importance of the earths water resources and the global water security
- Describe the hydrological cycle and processes and their interactions with the atmosphere, physical and ecological environments
B. Intellectual skills.
- understand complex ideas and relate them to specific problems or questions of environmental processes
C. Professional practical skills.
- articulate knowledge and understanding of scientific concepts of environmental processes
D. Transferable skills.
- use and access information and communication technology
Conveners
- Dr Lawal Billa