Planet Earth can be viewed as a complex cascading and interactive system. In order to facilitate understanding, the functioning of planet Earth is divided into subsystems; the atmospheric, lithological, hydrologic and pedospheres being prime examples. This module provides basic understanding of key Earth System components that enables you as a student of climate change to gain a fundamental understanding of the functioning of the Earth’s natural components and their interactions with human societies over time. The module is divided into four blocks that illustrate the system concept.

Part 1 The Atmospheric System (The Weather Engine, World Climates, Causes of Climate Change).
Part 2 The Rock System (Plate Tectonics, Lithosphere, Hydrosphere and Cryosphere).
Part 3 Soil Systems and Ecosystems (The Pedosphere and Biosphere).
Part 4 Land System Science (Land Use and Land Cover Change, Drivers of Land Use Change, Modelling Land Use Change, Land Use and Climate Interactions).

The practical component of this module will provide essential training in data collection and analysis techniques for examining a range of key physical components of the Earth in order to understand geomorphological, atmospheric and biospheric processes. It will provide exposure to and experience of a range of appropriate practical laboratory techniques used to extract and analyse data related to the Earth-atmosphere system using both secondary (e.g. maps, aerial photographs etc.), as well as training in primary field data collection (e.g. soil-vegetation surveys). Experience of working safely in the field in groups and training in basic field observation, measurement and sampling techniques (e.g. slope surveying and soil analysis) will also be provided.

Assessments for this module will be both summative and formative.

Summative Assessments
1. The poster assessment will occur during week 23 at the end of semester 1 and will consist of an explanatory poster concerning climate change addressing learning outcome 2.
2. The field and laboratory report will assess learning outcomes 1 & 4 and will also be submitted at the end of the module during semester 2 (teaching week28).
3. The coursework essay will be submitted at the end of the module during semester 2 (teaching week 30) and will address learning outcomes 1 & 3. The essay will be based upon material delivered in class and workshop sessions.

Formative Assessments
During formal teaching sessions you will be expected to complete worksheets summarising directed reading and other tasks designed to guide you through the assessment tasks.

The module will be delivered through a combination of:
(a) classes that will combine, on a flexible basis, lectures with workshop exercises and be used to introduce theoretical concepts and to explore case studies (80 hours)
(b) independent learning through guided reading from core texts and the use of web-based materials to develop a detailed knowledge of Earth systems (156 hours)
(c) A locally - based field class investigating soil and ecosystem relationships (8 hours)
(d) Assessment Preparation for planning, researching and writing (156 hours

Module Learning Outcome
1. Synthesise and communicate material from lectures and workshops into coherent explanations of the functioning of earth systems.

University Learning Outcome
1, 2, & 6

Module Learning Outcome
2. Explain and communicate both the long-term and short-term drivers of environmental change on planet Earth.

University Learning Outcome
1, 2 & 6

Module Learning Outcome
3. Critically analyse and explain causes and consequences of changing climates for natural and human components of the Earth’s environments.

University Learning Outcome
1, 2, 3 & 6

Module Learning Outcome
4. Demonstrate and communicate the practical application of field and laboratory skills in the investigation of natural world phenomena.

University Learning Outcome
3, 4, 5 & 7

VLE for online learning
High quality teaching space for face to face seminars where appropriate with usual audio-visual facilities Library resources both online and physical to support research
Field resources as appropriate for field trip

Holden, J. (2017) (4th edition) An Introduction to Physical Geography and the Environment. Pearson, Harlow Huggett, R. (2003) Fundamentals of Geomorphology. Routledge, London. Smithson, P. Addison, K. & Atkinson, K (2008) (4th edition) Fundamentals of Physical Environment. Routledge, London. Cox, C.B. and Moore, P.D. 2010 (3rd edition). Biogeography: an ecological and evolutionary approach. Wiley, London. Letcher, T. (ed) (2017) (2nd edition). Climate Change: Observed Impacts on Planet Earth. Elsevier, Amsterdam.

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Planet Earth can be viewed as a complex cascading and interactive system. This module provides understanding of the main interlocking Earth System components: the atmosphere, the rocks and landforms, the water system; soils and vegetation which enables you as a student of climate change to gain a fundamental understanding of the functioning of the Earth’s natural components and their interactions with human societies over time.