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GEG133
Natural Hazards and Society
This module investigates hazardous aspects of Earth¿s natural environment and how society relates to them. Introductory principles include the definition of natural hazard, disaster, risk and loss, and approaches to reducing risk and managing disasters. Major types of natural hazard are studied in order to understand how they operate, where, and how frequently they are likely to occur. Hazardous consequences are explored, as well as how society can respond to hazardous events. Key aspects include discussion of primary and secondary hazards, prediction, forecasting and monitoring of hazards, and understanding how their harmful effects can be minimised.
Natural hazards considered during this module include volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis, wildfires, landslides, extreme weather events, flooding, avalanches and Mega Hazards. Lecture material considers general principles as well as case studies. The module is compulsory for students taking BSc Environmental Geoscience.
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GEG277
Geographical Methods and Data Analysis
This core 20-credit module introduces a variety of physical and human geography methods, along with data analysis. The module builds upon student knowledge and covers research design, data collection and data analysis. Students are introduced to a range of lab and field techniques in physical and / or human geography along with statistical analysis. They gain experience in describing, interpreting and presenting the results.
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GEG278
Dissertation Preparation Skills
This module builds upon student knowledge of social research methods and environmental methods (delivered in GEG277) through to the formulation of a dissertation proposal. The module focuses on key dissertation planning and preparation skills.
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GEG283
Sustainable Land Management
Sustainable Land Management course focuses on understanding and maintaining of the environmental values of LAND and SOIL for food production, water quality, flood defence and climate regulation.
To understand the Sustainable Land Management the basic understanding of SOIL properties, functions will be introduced followed by the main threads and challenges to soil health connected with climate change and incorrect land management. Case studies of Sustainable Land Management in agriculture, fire prevention and mitigation, peatland restoration and land remediation will be showcased and discussed.
The module will contain a series of lectures, workshops and field visit.
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GEG331
Dissertation Report: Geography
The dissertation is an original, substantive and independent research project in an aspect of Geography. The dissertation research project is based on 20 - 25 days of primary research (e.g fieldwork, lab work, archive work) and several months of analysis and write-up. The end result must be less than 10,000 words of text. The dissertation offers you the chance to follow your personal interests and to demonstrate your capabilities as a Geographer. During the course of your dissertation, you will be supported by a peer-led discussion group and a staff supervisor. Lectures and guidance are delivered via this module and peer and staff led Dissertation Support Groups are delivered via GEG332. Participating in Dissertation Support Groups is vital, and is assessed and, in these groups, students will provide constructive criticism to fellow students undertaking related research projects, learning from their research problems and subsequent solutions. This support and supervision is delivered through GEG332, which is a co- requisite.
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GEG332
Dissertation Support: Geography
This module provides structured, student-led peer-group support and academic staff group supervision for students undertaking the 30-credit 'Dissertation Report: Geography' module.
This support and supervision is assessed through the submission of the Dissertation Outline and the Dissertation Support Group Reflection and Attendance Log.
Working within a supervised Student Peer Group, students have the opportunity to provide constructive criticism to fellow students undertaking related research projects, learning from their research problems and subsequent solutions. Group sessions are the main support provision as student¿s work through their Dissertation.
This module complements the 'Dissertation Report: Geography' module, which is a co-requisite.
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GEG337
Wildfires
Wildfires are a natural phenomenon in the Earth System that has shaped the landscapes and ecology of a wide range of Earth¿s biomes for many millions of years. They currently burn 3¿5 million km2 of the Earth¿s surface annually (around 12-20 x the size of the UK). Wildfires (i.e. uncontrolled fires) and managed vegetation fires emit around 8 billion tonnes of CO2 to the atmosphere on average each year, with some of these emissions contributing to climate change, but most of them being sequestered again during vegetation recovery. Many fires are an essential driver of maintaining ecosystems whether ignited naturally by lightning or humans as land management tool, and do not present an immediate risk to society or the environment. However, some fires lead to loss of life or infrastructures and can also threaten ecosystems that are not adapted to fire or in which fire regimes are altered by human influence. Fire impacts on society extend beyond direct destruction, such as accelerated soil erosion and water contamination, or exposure to smoke contributing to over 300,000 premature deaths per year. Major fire outbreaks in recent years have received extensive media attention and fuelled concern that climate change is increasing fire activity, threatening human livelihood, destroying ecosystems and accelerating climate change. These conflicting roles of fire pose a huge challenge: how do we balance the natural role of vegetation fires on Earth with the need to protect life and infrastructure?
This module will provide an multifaceted overview of vegetation fires and its role in maintaining ecosystems, how fire is ignited, how climate change, land management, weather and fuel types interact to determine the nature and behaviour of fire, how fire directly and indirectly impacts the natural environment and societies, how the media and societies perceive fire, and how we can manage and co-exist with fire in our changing world.
Given the multidisciplinary nature of fire science, ranging from physical principles to ecology and socio-economic and political dimensions, no textbook exists that covers all these comprehensively. The module thus will use a few textbooks, but also requires engaging critically with the latest scientific literature. It particularly suited to students who focus on physical geography, but it also offers insights and skills relevant to cultural, social and economic geography, and other disciplines.
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GEGM07
Environmental Dynamics
This module aims to explain and understand past, present and potential future changes in the Earth's climate and environment. It provides a broad approach to environmental processes and dynamics operating on land, in the oceans and in the atmosphere on a global and regional scale. Emphasis is placed on the evidence available for reconstructing past environmental dynamics, the implications for present-day processes, future predictions and likely impacts.
