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GEO2EI: Global Environmental Issues

CO-ORDINATOR: Dr David Oliver
CONTRIBUTORS: Dr David Copplestone; Dr Daisy Dent

Introduction

Aim of the Module
The module aims to provide an introduction to key global environmental problems by examining the issues, the underlying science and the potential solutions and to link these to the acquisition of core skills. The main themes are waste disposal, air and water pollution, climate change and loss of biodiversity.

Learning Outcomes

Ability to examine environmental issues critically and to appreciate the divergent opinions regarding causes, seriousness and the need for solutions
Basic scientific understanding of the relationships between human activities and environmental processes which to varying degrees cause pollution, climate change and loss of biodiversity
Greater competence in practical skills introduced in GEO1PE
Basic numeracy and competence in report writing and questionnaire surveys

Acquired Skills
The course is designed to enhance your skills in the following areas:

making measurements and field observations
using and interpreting questionnaires
calculations and unit conversions
processing and presentation of data using MS-EXCEL
assessing data quality and critically interpreting data
scientific report writing
referencing literature including internet sources correctly

Teaching Timetable

There will be two 1-hour formal lectures per week, 20 in total.
There are 3 practical sessions (lab or computing lab) lasting 3 hours each.
Students also undertake a waste audit and survey of Stirling residents relating to biodiversity in their own time.

Course Outline

Session	Theme
Lecture 1	Introduction to course; industrial development.
Lecture 2	Domestic waste – problems and solutions
Practical 1	Introduction to waste auditing (measurements and calculations) All students record their household waste over a 5-day period
Lecture 3	Waste management options including hazardous waste
Lecture 4	Power generation & emissions
Lecture 5	Causes of atmospheric pollution
Lecture 6	Impacts on plants and human health
Practical 2	Analysis of the waste data produced by the students (MS-Excel)
Lecture 7	Air pollution control
Lecture 8	Assessment of risk
Practical 3	Air pollution risk assessment (graphing and interpreting data)
Lecture 9	Water pollution
Lecture 10	Eutrophication & water treatment
Lecture 11	Climate change: the issue
Lecture 12	Climate change: the science
Lecture 13	Climate change: the impacts
Lecture 14	Climate change: mitigation
Lecture 15	Biodiversity - introduction and overview.
Lecture 16	Biodiversity through time
Lecture 17	Does biodiversity matter?
Lecture 18	Biodiversity in action I: global issues
Lecture 19	Biodiversity in action II: local issues
Lecture 20	Revision session

Assessment

Report on Waste Audit (20 %) - This report is based on the collection of a waste audit and the analysis of the data.
Air pollution risk assessment data interpretation (15%) - This assessment is based on the graphing and manipulation of a range of data in Excel and the subsequent interpretation of the graphed data.
Biodiversity Report (15%) - This report is based on independent data collection, a questionnaire survey. The data generated by the class is then analysed and interpreted in the report.
Mid Term Class Test (25%) - A mid semester test, based on Succeed.
Exam (25%) - An exam based on Succeed undertaken during the exam diet.

Recommended reading

Wright, N. 2008 Environmental Science – Towards a sustainable future. 10th Edition. Pearson Education International . New Jersey.