NES2211 : Earth Surface Processes in a Changing Climate
NES2211 : Earth Surface Processes in a Changing Climate
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Dr Sanem Acikalin Cartigny
- Lecturer: Dr Cees van der Land
- Owning School: Natural and Environmental Sciences
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 10 |
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Pre-requisite
Modules you must have done previously to study this module
Pre Requisite Comment
Students should know the basics of rock cycle, plate tectonics, sediment transport and cross cutting relationships of geological items.
Co-Requisite
Modules you need to take at the same time
Co Requisite Comment
N/A
Aims
This module aims to equip students with a holistic understanding of how Earth's systems run in balance to shape the Earth's surface. The module mainly focuses on the physical processes, such as sediment transport, erosion and soil formation. Basics of climate systems, interaction between atmospheric, oceanographic and land systems are covered. Impact of climate change on Earth surface processes are discussed in detail.
This module also builds background knowledge needed for the International Field Trip, taking place on Semester 2, Stage 2.
Outline Of Syllabus
The module will cover:
- Introduction sedimentary basin formation
- Sediment transport processes (water and wind)
- Basics of various sedimentary environments (deserts, deltas, rivers, shallow marine, deep marine)
- Introduction to climate science
- What is climate change?
- How climate change impacts surface processes?
- Renewable energy sources and their impact on landforms
Learning Outcomes
Intended Knowledge Outcomes
At the end of the module students will be able to explain;
- Earth's energy balance
- How different climate systems are formed
- How sediment is transported in various environments
- How climate change can impact the sedimentation
- How land forms are formed and shaped
Intended Skill Outcomes
At the end of the module students will be able to:
- Communicate complex concepts and relationships
- Think in 4D
- Interpret given dataset.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 20:00 | 20:00 | Preparation for and completion of formative problem solving exercise |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 20:00 | 20:00 | Presentation preparation and delivery |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Completion of exam |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 13 | 2:00 | 26:00 | Lectures |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 3 | 3:00 | 9:00 | Practicals |
| Guided Independent Study | Skills practice | 5 | 5:00 | 25:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Reflective learning activity | 3 | 3:00 | 9:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 89:00 | 89:00 | Includes background reading and reading lecture notes for full understanding of material |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The module will be taught through a series of 2 hour lectures.
Practicals will focus on data collection techniques and interpretation, including sedimentological observations, data mining and interpretation through data visualisation and statistics.
The online discussion, skills practice, independent study and assessment preparation and completion will allow students to consolidate their learning gained from both lectures and practicals and practice their skills.
Reading Lists
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 90 | 1 | A | 50 | N/A |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Case study | 2 | A | 50 | N/A |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prob solv exercises | 1 | M | Completion of a problem related to the practicals |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
Written exam is used to assess student's understanding of basic sedimentological and climate concepts.
Case study is used to assess student's ability to apply their theoretical knowledge on independent data collection and interpretation.
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- NES2211's Timetable
Past Exam Papers
- Exam Papers Online : www.ncl.ac.uk/exam.papers/
- NES2211's past Exam Papers
General Notes
N/A
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Disclaimer
The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2025 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, staffing changes, and student feedback. Module information for the 2026/27 entry will be published here in early-April 2026. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.