GEO1021 : Environmental Issues (Semester 1 for Exchange Students) (Inactive)
GEO1021 : Environmental Issues (Semester 1 for Exchange Students) (Inactive)
- Inactive for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Dr Seb Pitman
- Lecturer: Dr Nick Cutler, Dr Mark Kincey, Professor Andrew Henderson
- Owning School: Geography, Politics & Sociology
- 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 |
| ECTS Credits: | 5.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Pre-requisite
Modules you must have done previously to study this module
Pre Requisite Comment
A-level Geography or equivalent
Co-Requisite
Modules you need to take at the same time
Co Requisite Comment
N/A
Aims
This module introduces key concepts in geography, earth science and environmental science. It encourages reflection on the natural and human processes affecting - and affected by - the global natural environment. Strategies for prevention and mitigation of a range of environmental issues will be presented.
Outline Of Syllabus
1. Environmental issues: overview of environmental science and Earth’s physical system
2. Climate Change: earth’s climate system, past, present, and future climate change
3. Environmental degradation: global environmental change, pollution, waste
4. Natural resource security: terrestrial and water resources
5. Human societies: human population, ancient civilisations, geopolitics
Learning Outcomes
Intended Knowledge Outcomes
At the end of the module you will be able to:
1. Describe and evaluate key environmental issues, by drawing on environmental and Earth science principles, assessing competing arguments, and acknowledging the role(s) played by science in monitoring, prevention and mitigation.
2. Describe and evaluate key inter-relationships between the environment and human activities.
3. Identify the contributions that geographers can make to environmental study.
This module introduces key concepts in Geography and Earth and Environmental Science. It encourages reflection on the natural and human processes affecting - and affected by - the global natural environment.
Intended Skill Outcomes
1. Use of Earth science principles and ecosystem concepts to analyze environmental change.
2. Use of space/time models to understand the nature of environmental problems and solutions.
3. Ability to evaluate competing arguments and approaches to environmental problems, drawing on both on natural (Earth science, environmental science) and social (economic, political, ethical) considerations.
4. Critical analysis of media/web coverage of environmental issues.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 13 | 1:00 | 13:00 | N/A |
| Structured Guided Learning | Structured research and reading activities | 2 | 2:00 | 4:00 | Formative exercises to scaffold coursework Assessments |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 2 | 1:00 | 2:00 | Coursework surgery. Can be delivered virtually if required. |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 81:00 | 81:00 | N/A |
| Total | 100:00 |
Jointly Taught With
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| GEO1005 | Environmental Issues |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Teaching is mainly delivered via comprehensive, well-illustrated and up-to-date lectures, backed by widely available texts, and by use of media sources. This delivers a new intellectual milieu, and new ways of thinking (e.g., the ecosystem concept, the Anthropocene), but also new responsibilities to take a critical approach to science/society interaction. Two coursework assessments – in the form of problem-based learning exercises - will be used to reinforce the lecture content, encourage engagement with the scientific literature, and develop study and team-working skills. The coursework assessments will be supported by short, formative assessments (undertaken as guided independent study).
Reading Lists
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exam Pairings
| Module Code | Module Title | Semester | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | N/A |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 1 | M | 100 | N/A |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The practical report introduces students to handling data pertaining to key environmental issues and analysing it for trends.
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- GEO1021's Timetable
Past Exam Papers
- Exam Papers Online : www.ncl.ac.uk/exam.papers/
- GEO1021's past Exam Papers
General Notes
N/A
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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.