NES1206 : Earth System Science
- Offered for Year: 2023/24
- Module Leader(s): Dr Cees van der Land
- Lecturer: Professor Sam Wilson, Professor Yit Arn Teh, Dr Simon Peacock
- Owning School: Natural and Environmental Sciences
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 5.0 |
Aims
To challenge students to think holistically about Earth as a global environmental system by examining important matter and energy fluxes. This will require the use of basic algebra to describe the phenomena.
To equip students to tackle more advanced environmental concepts with an element of chemistry and physics and to describe environmental systems quantitatively.
An introduction to the physical environment at the global scale, with a consideration of the important interactions with the biosphere.
Outline Of Syllabus
1. Global Systems, topics to be covered include: The Earth's geosphere, the atmosphere, the oceans, the biosphere.
2. Transport, topics to be covered include: global cycling elements (e.g., carbon).
3. Matter, topics to be covered include: conservation of matter, chemical reactions, biologically mediated transformations.
4. Energy, topics to be covered include: solar energy (radiation, latent and sensible heat) and climate.
5. Homeostasis, topics to be covered include: positive and negative feedback, climate change and global warming.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 54:00 | 54:00 | Includes background reading and reading lecture notes for a full understanding of material |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 20:00 | 20:00 | Exam preparation |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 11 | 1:00 | 11:00 | Lectures covering the syllabus |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 10:00 | 10:00 | Topic Tutorial report |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 5 | 1:00 | 5:00 | Topic Tutorials |
| Total | 100:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures introduce core information (linked directly to all Intended Knowledge Outcomes). Small group teaching (tutorials) is designed to put this information into context of “real world examples”, and to apply information to solving explicit problems, encouraging a deeper understanding of gained core information and further reading (linked directly to Intended skills and Knowledge Outcomes).
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Examination | 60 | 1 | A | 100 | MCQ Digital Examination |
Formative Assessments
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practical/lab report | 1 | M | Topic Tutorial Practice |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
Given the breadth of subject areas covered in this introductory module for Earth, Environment and Chemistry programs, the assessment method will be based on an exam.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- NES1206's Timetable