Module Catalogue 2024/25

GEO2136 : Global Environmental Change

GEO2136 : Global Environmental Change

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Christine Batchelor
  • Lecturer: Dr Louise Callard, Dr Mark Kincey
  • Owning School: Geography, Politics & Sociology
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 2 Credit Value: 20
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System
Pre-requisite

Modules you must have done previously to study this module

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co-Requisite

Modules you need to take at the same time

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

•       To develop an understanding of global environmental change during the Quaternary.
•       To develop an awareness of geological time and the evolution of the Earth's natural systems.
•       To understand how natural system change is deciphered using the tools of modern science for palaeoenvironmental investigation.
•       To provide broad grounding in knowledge and skills necessary for Stage 3 modules palaeoenvironmental modules and dissertations.

Outline Of Syllabus

The module will be delivered by means of lectures and practical sessions. Lectures will deliver the knowledge base while practicals with give hands-on experience of a range of proxies useful in palaeoenvironmental reconstruction, and in the analysis of geochronological and palaeoenvironmental datasets.

Themes explored in the module include:
•       Introduction to the Pleistocene: Establishing a broad global framework using isotopic records from the oceans.
•       Ice-core proxies and millennial-scale change.
•       Establishing land-ocean correlation: An introduction to geochronology.
•       Continental Records: Interpreting the sedimentary record of the “Cold Stages”.
•       Continental Records: Interpreting the palaeoecological records of the “Warm Stages”.
•       Reconstructing Environmental Change during the Pleistocene-Holocene transition
•       Introduction to the Holocene: climate, environment, human development and impacts.
•       Proxy records of Holocene environmental change.
•       Early Holocene climate and environmental change: LG-Holocene transition, vegetation change and sea- levels, human adaptation during the Mesolithic.

Learning Outcomes

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

At the end of this module you will be able to demonstrate:

•       A basic understanding of how our climate and natural systems operate and how they change through time.
•       The ability to infer past (Quaternary to Recent) environmental change by analysing physical, biological and chemical data derived from sedimentary records.
•       Ability to identify appropriate analytical methods and data interrogation in relation to modern environments and Quaternary samples and datasets

Intended Skill Outcomes

At the end of this module you will have the:

•       Ability to apply appropriate methodology to palaeoenvironmental investigation.
•       Ability analyse palaeoenvironmental datasets.
•       Ability to present conclusions based upon data analysis.

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture102:0020:00N/A
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion130:0030:00N/A
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion1137:00137:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesPractical52:0010:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesDrop-in/surgery31:003:001 scheduled online and 2 pip
Total200:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Any attempt at successful reconstruction of Quaternary environments requires proficient practical skills surrounding the range of methods employed, underpinned by a significant academic knowledge base which addresses the theory behind the methods and awareness of the wider conceptual and theoretical issues. Here we consider it essential to assess all these elements and to place equal weighting on the practical and more academic skills. The practical / coursework portfolios will assess technical skills including data production and analysis together with the more theoretical and conceptual aspects of palaeoenvironmental reconstruction.

Reading Lists

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Practical/lab report2M50Individual practical portfolio (2000 words)
Essay2M50Coursework essay (2000 words)
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

We consider it essential to assess all elements of the module and to place equal weighting on the practical and academic skills. The Practical portfolio will assess technical skills including data production and analysis while the essay will assess the more academic theoretical and conceptual aspects of environmental change during the Quaternary.

The format of resits are determined by the Board of Examiners.

Timetable

Past Exam Papers

General Notes

N/A

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Disclaimer

The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2024 academic year.

In accordance with University Terms and Conditions, the University makes all reasonable efforts to deliver the modules as described.

Modules may be amended on an annual basis to take account of changing staff expertise, developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Module information for the 2025/26 entry will be published here in early-April 2025. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.