| Module Identifier |
RD27020 |
| 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 32 x 1 hour lectures |
| |
Practical | 15 Hours 5 x 3 hours |
| Assessment |
Semester Exam | 2 Hours Outcomes assessed: 1, 2, 3 | 50% |
| |
Semester Assessment | Assignment - Preparation of a website Outcomes assessed:Depending on topic 1, 2, 3 | 50% |
| |
Supplementary Assessment | Candidates will be required to re-take the element(s) that led to the failure. | |
Learning outcomes
Outcome 1
Demonstrate an understanding of the key issues resulting from human population growth.
Performance criteria:
a. Factors responsible for population growth and the associated problems of population control are identified.
b. The implications of population growth for food supply and demand are appreciated.
c. The implications of population growth for energy production and consumption are appreciated.
Ranges:
Population growth and control:- factors to include agricultural, technological, medical, economic, religious.
Food and agriculture:- grain, meat, fish.
Energy:- fossil fuels, nuclear, renewable sources
Outcome 2
Appreciate the global impact of human activity on other species.
Performance criteria:
a. The impact of human activity on major ecosystems is assessed.
b. The impact of humans on other species is assessed.
Ranges:
Ecosystems to include several from:- tropical and temperate forests; grasslands; arid zones; wetlands; marine and coastal.
Impacts on other species to include:- contraction, expansion, decline, extinction.
Outcome 3
Understand the impact of human activity on major natural systems.
Performance criteria:
a. The human impacts on soils and water supply are assessed.
b. Evidence for and the possible effects of, human activity on global atmosphere and climate are discussed.
c. Potential impacts of climate change are assessed.
Ranges:
Soils:- salinization, laterization, acidification, erosion, contamination
Water:- domestic and industrial use, drainage, irrigation, inorganic and organic pollutants, thermal pollution.
Atmosphere and climate:- ozone depletion, global warming.
Effects of climate change:- sea level rise, climate belts, ecosystems, agriculture.
Aims
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.
The module aims to provide students with:
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ยท An understanding of key environmental issues.
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An appreciation of the relationship be*ween population pressure, level of economic development and human impact on the environment.
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An opportunity to experience the range of information on environmental issues that is available via the internet.
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The opportunity to develop the skill of designing a website and publishing information on the world wide web.
Transferable skills
.1 Independent project work
Production of website (assessed in coursework)
.2 IT and information handling
Production of website (assessed in coursework), background reading for the module will be based around resources available on the internet.
Assessed as part of the coursework.; Common Skill Outcomes 9, 16
.4 Writing in an academic context
Assessed as part of the coursework.; Common Skill Outcomes 10.
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