RS21720 - HUMAN IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT

Module Identifier	RS21720
Module Title	HUMAN IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT
Academic Year	2002/2003
Co-ordinator	Mr David R Powell
Semester	Semester 2
Other staff	Dr Graham P Harris
Course delivery	Lecture	32 Hours
	Practical	15 Hours 5 x 3 hours
Assessment	Semester Exam	3 Hours Outcomes assessed: 1, 2, 3	70%
	Semester Assessment	Assignment Outcomes assessed: 4, and other outcomes as relevant	30%
	Supplementary Exam	3 Hours	100%

Learning outcomes

On completion of this module, students should be able to:
1. discuss the factors influencing population growth and control and the implications for food production, agricultural systems, energy consumption and production
2. evaluate the global impact of human activity on other species, on ecosystems and on global biodiversity
3. assess the impact of human activity on major natural systems; on soils, fresh-water and marine systems, atmosphere and climate.
4. use the internet to gather up to date information on environmental issues and produce a web site through which information on environmental issues can be disseminated in an appropriate manner.

Brief description

This module identifies and examines the major impacts of the human population on the environment. Emphasis will be placed on the impact that population growth has had, and in particular will potentially exert, on the biota, water, soils and atmosphere and the interrelationships between these systems. The development of our understanding of the complex nature of environmental systems is examined with appraisal of how our increasing knowledge may influence human attitudes to, and future use of, environmental resources.

Aims

The module aims to provide students with:

An understanding of key environmental issues.
An appreciation of the relationship between population pressure, level of economic development and human impact on the environment.
An opportunity to experience the range of information on environmental issues that is available via the internet.
The opportunity to develop the skill of designing a website and publishing information on the world wide web.

Reading Lists

Books
PARK, C. (2001) The Environment: princples and applications. 2nd. Routledge
PICKERING, K T and OWEN, L A. (1997) An introduction to global environmental issues. 2nd. Routledge

Web Page/Sites
Extensive resources will be made available for this module via the web.