Global Environmental Change (003GS)
Global Environmental Change
Module 003GS
Module details for 2021/22.
30 credits
FHEQ Level 6
Module Outline
Environmental change has become a central global issue with serious implications for the social and natural world. There is a need to monitor the earth's signs of change, especially where ground information is spatially limited, filled with error, or unavailable. Remote sensing datasets are vital in monitoring local, regional and global changes.
This module enables you to understand and use remote-sensing datasets to answer fundamental questions about our changing planet. This will involve:
- Assessing and monitoring changes in our Atmosphere, Cryosphere, Hydrosphere and Biosphere
- Understanding the nature of remote sensing
- Gain practical knowledge in using and manipulating big datasets
- Linking environmental change to Sustainability and Policy
We will focus on four components of the geosphere. Remote Sensing of the atmosphere monitors weather, detects greenhouse gas and pollution. Remote sensing of the cryosphere helps in determining the presence, absence and change of ice cover over the earth's surface. Remote sensing of the hydrosphere monitors the oceans, organic and inorganic ocean constituents, sea surface temperatures, el nino events, land water fluxes, and flooding events. Remote Sensing of the biosphere monitors the component of the earth that supports life, and is sensitive to changes in climate, such as vegetation structure, composition, land cover types, soil moisture, leaf chemical components, phenology, change detection, plant stress and photosynthesis, transpiration and surface temperatures.
Module learning outcomes
Understanding differing remote sensing technologies and data characteristics.
Understand how remote sensing can be used to answer scientific questions on the environment and climate change.
Prepare and analyse digital data using ArcGIS and Matlab.
Analyse and evaluate current debates in remote sensing science.
| Type | Timing | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | 40.00% | |
| Coursework components. Weighted as shown below. | ||
| Report | T2 Week 8 | 75.00% |
| Presentation | T2 Week 11 (15 minutes) | 25.00% |
| Report (2500 words) | Semester 2 Assessment Week 1 Mon 16:00 | 60.00% |
Timing
Submission deadlines may vary for different types of assignment/groups of students.
Weighting
Coursework components (if listed) total 100% of the overall coursework weighting value.
| Term | Method | Duration | Week pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Semester | Practical | 4 hours | 00101010100 |
| Spring Semester | Seminar | 2 hours | 11010101000 |
| Spring Semester | Fieldwork | 3 hours | 00000000100 |
| Spring Semester | Seminar | 3 hours | 00000000010 |
How to read the week pattern
The numbers indicate the weeks of the term and how many events take place each week.
Dr Simon Rycroft
Assess convenor
/profiles/8703
Dr Daniel Haberly
Assess convenor
/profiles/321250
Dr Alexander Antonarakis
Convenor
/profiles/327481
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