Module Catalogue 2025/26

Pre Requisite Comment

Students taking this module will require an understanding of the key processes that shape the Earth over geological time, along with an understanding the structure and composition of the Earth. They will also require an understanding of environmental monitoring and the fundamentals of analyzing these data.

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

This research-led module equips students with critical thinking skills to analyze complex sustainability challenges facing our planet. By investigating current challenges and linking recent research in themes including decarbonization of energy systems, nature-based solutions, contaminant removal, and geomicrobiology, students will develop a deep understanding of the scientific basis for sustainable practices and their potential for addressing global
issues (SDGs).

•       Decarbonisation of the energy sector (SDGs 7 & 13) – e.g. geothermal energy, underground energy storage
•       Nature based solutions including greenhouse gas removal (SDG 13)- e.g. soil carbon capture, peatland
restoration
•       Removal of environmental contaminants (SDGs 3, 6, 7, 12, 14, 15) – e.g. wastewater treatment in circular
economy
•       Novel applications of geomicrobiology in environmental problem-solving (SDGs 6, 7, 12, 13) – microbial
processes in wastewater, microbial processes in subsurface energy storage

Outline Of Syllabus

Exploration of the legacy of anthropogenic change due to past resource use (e.g., industrial revolution, agricultural intensification).

Social, Cultural, Economic, & Policy Contexts: Examine how social values, cultural norms, economic systems, and policy frameworks shape our
understanding and responses to sustainability challenges.

Case Studies in Sustainability

Decarbonization of the Energy Sector (SDGs 7 & 13):
- Review current energy sources and their environmental impacts.
- The changing energy system and the role of renewable energy technologies and their potential for decarbonizing energy production.

Nature-Based Solutions (SDG 13):**
- Discuss the role of ecosystems in mitigating climate change.
- Examine nature-based solutions such as soil carbon capture and peatland restoration, exploring their effectiveness and limitations.

Removal of Environmental Contaminants (SDGs 3, 6, 7, 12, 14, 15):**
- Analyze the sources and impacts of environmental pollutants.
- Investigate advanced wastewater treatment technologies and their role in a circular economy approach to resource management.

Novel Applications of Geomicrobiology (SDGs 6, 7, 12, 13):**
- Introduce the field of geomicrobiology and its potential for addressing environmental challenges.
- Explore microbial processes in wastewater treatment and subsurface energy storage.

Synthesis & Evaluation**

- Investigate the costs, benefits, synergies, and trade-offs associated with different approaches to sustainability.
- Reflect on the role of interdisciplinary collaboration in finding solutions to complex sustainability challenges.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

Explain Anthropogenic Impacts: Accurately describe the major environmental impacts resulting from human extraction and consumption of natural resources. This includes understanding the underlying scientific principles, such as greenhouse gas emissions, pollution pathways, biodiversity loss, and resource depletion. Students should be able to contextualize these impacts within broader ecological and social systems.

dentify & Evaluate Solutions: Analyze potential solutions and mitigation strategies for major anthropogenic environmental change. This involves critically evaluating alternative practices, new technologies, and innovations in fields like renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, waste management, and
pollution control.

Intended Skill Outcomes

Critically Evaluate Evidence:
- Demonstrate the ability to select appropriate data from diverse sources (e.g., scientific journals, reports, datasets) to evaluate sustainability challenges and opportunities.
- Identify reliable and credible data sources, justifying choices based on factors like source reputation, methodology, and peer review.

Analyze Data Discrepancies:
- Critically analyze information and data from multiple sources to identify major discrepancies, knowledge gaps, or sources of uncertainty. Explain the potential reasons for these variations and their implications for decision-making.

Apply Scientific Principles:
- Apply fundamental scientific principles from relevant disciplines (e.g. chemistry, biology, physics, geology) to explain complex environmental phenomena and assess the effectiveness of different mitigation strategies. Use data to support your analyses and interpretations.

Communicate Findings Effectively:**
- Write critically and present evidence clearly and succinctly in written reports. Synthesize complex information into concise and persuasive arguments, using appropriate visual aids (e.g., charts, graphs) to enhance understanding.
- Confidently deliver oral presentations that synthesize complex information into persuasive arguments. Use appropriate visual aids to enhance understanding and engage the audience

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures will:

1) Introduce the students to the format of the module and outline expectations, including assessment
requirements.
2) Introduce aspects of the underpinning theory behind anthropogenic change
3) Introduce mitigations and technologies for anthropogenic change

Workshops will provide students the opportunity to examine and critically evaluate key concepts in depth and allow them the opportunity to develop expertise in critically evaluating scientific literature /research and interpreting and presenting scientific information.

Independent study will:
1) Provide students the opportunity to undertake skills practice, specifically in data analysis and
visualisation
2) Provide students the opportunity to consolidate their learning by directed literature reading
3) Provide students time to prepare prior to workshops to become more independent and engaged in their learning
activity

Student-led group activity, and assessment preparation and completion will allow students to fully prepare for their summative coursework and presentation. They will have the opportunity to consolidate and build upon knowledge gained in the taught sessions.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The coursework assessment is designed to evaluate the skills, knowledge and understanding. The work assesses their ability to evaluate the credibility and reliability of scientific information and data. These data form the basis for critically evaluating information, from multiple sources. The report provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate their scientific understanding. The presentation aligns with the intended learning outcomes of students being able to explain potential solutions and mitigations for major anthropogenic change.

The single formative assessment provides an opportunity for students to get feedback on the summative report ahead of the final assessment.

General Notes

N/A