Environmental Geosciences
- Sciences
- 300 level
- 2 credit units
- 44 pages
- 4 units
This course introduces the interdisciplinary field of environmental geosciences, exploring the interactions between the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere. It examines geoscientific processes and their impact on the environment, including natural and man-made hazards. The course covers topics such as atmospheric processes, the hydrologic cycle, endogenous and exogenous hazards, and the role of human activities in shaping the Earth's surface. Students will gain an understanding of environmental concerns related to prospection, exploration, and mining.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 156 hours
- Maths
- Basic
- Content
- Theoretical
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assessments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of ESM309, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
ESM309 · UNIT 1 THE ATMOSPHERE AND ATMOSPHERIC PROCESSES
Environmental geosciences studies the changes in the earth around us. These include the atmosphere, ocean and the solid earth (lithos or geos) and the interactions between them. These interactions are continuous and symbiotic and they determine the habitability of the planet.
What you should be able to do
- Define environmental geosciences and its scope.
- Explain the interactions between the Earth's atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere.
- Identify and discuss various environmental hazards and their impacts.
- Describe the processes involved in prospection, exploration, and mining.
- Analyze the environmental consequences of resource extraction.
- Apply geoscientific knowledge to address environmental concerns.
What it prepares you for
- Environmental Consultant
- Geoscientist
- Environmental Geologist
- Environmental Impact Assessor
- Mining Consultant
- Environmental Consulting
- Mining
- Geological Survey
- Environmental Management
- Natural Resource Management
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 2: Earth's Spheres
Unit 3: The Hydrosphere and the Biosphere
Understanding the complex interactions between the hydrosphere and biosphere requires knowledge of ecological principles and hydrological processes.
- Module 3: Environmental Hazards
Unit 2: Exogenous Hazards
Analyzing the causes and effects of different types of droughts requires understanding of meteorological, hydrological, and socioeconomic factors.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 44 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Introduction
Unit 1: Scope and meaning of Environmental Geoscience · 2 hours
Define environmental geoscience and its scope.. Identify biotic and abiotic components in your surroundings.. Explain the interrelationship between biotic and abiotic elements.. Discuss the Earth's surface as the home of man..
Unit 2: The Concept of the Earth's surface as the home of man · 2 hours
Understand the concept of the Earth's surface as the home of man.. Discuss the dependence of humans on the biosphere.. Analyze the impact of human activities on the Earth's surface..
- Week 2Module 2: Earth's Spheres
Unit 1: Atmosphere · 2 hours
Understand the layers of the atmosphere.. Explain the characteristics of the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere.. Discuss the role of the atmosphere in moderating Earth's temperature..
Unit 2: Atmospheric Processes · 2 hours
Explain atmospheric processes such as evaporation, climate change, and radiation.. Discuss the impact of greenhouse gases on climate change.. Describe the geoscientific actions that influence atmospheric conditions..
- Week 3Module 2: Earth's Spheres
Unit 3: The Hydrosphere and the Biosphere · 2 hours
Understand the hydrologic cycle and its components.. Explain the processes of evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and infiltration.. Discuss the importance of water to life and the biosphere..
Unit 4: The Lithosphere and Processes of Sculpturing the Earth's surface · 2 hours
Describe the lithosphere and its interaction with other Earth spheres.. Explain the processes of weathering, erosion, and deposition.. Discuss the impact of human activities on sculpturing the Earth's surface..
- Week 4Module 3: Environmental Hazards
Unit 1: Endogenous Hazards · 3 hours
Define endogenous hazards and their causes.. Explain the causes and effects of earthquakes and volcanic activities.. Discuss the plate tectonic theory and its relationship to earthquakes..
- Week 5Module 3: Environmental Hazards
Unit 1: Endogenous Hazards · 2 hours
Define tsunami and its causes.. Explain the formation and characteristics of tsunami waves.. Discuss the impact of tsunamis on coastal areas..
- Week 6Module 3: Environmental Hazards
Unit 2: Exogenous Hazards · 2 hours
Define exogenous hazards and their sources.. Explain the causes and effects of floods.. Discuss preventive measures for flood control..
Unit 2: Exogenous Hazards · 2 hours
Define cyclones and their characteristics.. Explain the formation and intensification of cyclones.. Discuss the impact of cyclones on coastal regions..
- Week 7Module 3: Environmental Hazards
Unit 2: Exogenous Hazards · 3 hours
Define drought and its types.. Explain the causes and effects of meteorological, agricultural, hydrological, and socioeconomic droughts.. Discuss the impact of drought on habitats and food supply..
- Week 8Module 3: Environmental Hazards
Unit 2: Exogenous Hazards · 3 hours
Define erosion and its types.. Explain the processes of water erosion, glacial erosion, wind erosion, zoogenic erosion, and anthropogenic erosion.. Discuss the impact of erosion on land degradation..
- Week 9Module 4: Resource Extraction
Unit 1: Prospection, Exploration and Mining · 3 hours
Define prospection, exploration, and mining.. Understand the historical context of resource extraction.. Outline the steps involved in prospection and exploration..
- Week 10Module 4: Resource Extraction
Unit 1: Prospection, Exploration and Mining · 3 hours
Discuss the multidisciplinary nature of exploration.. Explain the process of determining the quality and quantity of mineral resources.. Understand the importance of feasibility reports in exploration..
- Week 11Module 4: Resource Extraction
Unit 1: Prospection, Exploration and Mining · 3 hours
Describe the different methods of mining, including underground and surface mining.. Explain the factors that influence the choice of mining method.. Discuss the environmental effects of mining, such as ecosystem distortion and pollution..
- Week 12Review and Preparation
Review: Modules 1 & 2 · 4 hours
Review key concepts from Modules 1 and 2.. Complete assignments and TMAs related to these modules.. Prepare for upcoming assessments..
- Week 13Review and Preparation
Review: Modules 3 & 4 · 4 hours
Review key concepts from Modules 3 and 4.. Complete assignments and TMAs related to these modules.. Finalize exam preparation strategies..
Preparing for the exam
- Create detailed notes summarizing key concepts from each unit, focusing on definitions, processes, and impacts.
- Develop diagrams illustrating the interactions between the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere (Units in Module 2).
- Practice identifying different types of environmental hazards (Module 3) using case studies and real-world examples.
- Review the steps involved in prospection, exploration, and mining (Module 4), paying attention to environmental regulations and reclamation processes.
- Focus on understanding the causes and effects of endogenous and exogenous hazards, and the measures to mitigate their impacts.
- Use past TMA questions to practice answering exam-style questions and identify areas where you need further review.
Questions students ask about this course
What is ESM309 about?
This course introduces the interdisciplinary field of environmental geosciences, exploring the interactions between the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere. It examines geoscientific processes and their impact on the environment, including natural and man-made hazards. The course covers topics such as atmospheric processes, the hydrologic cycle, endogenous and exogenous hazards, and the role of human activities in shaping the Earth's surface. Students will gain an understanding of environmental concerns related to prospection, exploration, and mining.
How many units does ESM309 have?
ESM309, Environmental Geosciences, has 4 units across 2 modules, over 44 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is ESM309?
ESM309 carries 2 credit units, at 300 level in Sciences.
Is ESM309 hard?
ESM309 is rated intermediate level, with basic mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical work.
How long does ESM309 take to study?
About 156 hours of study, spread across its 4 units.
How is ESM309 assessed?
ESM309 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.
What can I do with ESM309?
Environmental Consultant, Geoscientist, Environmental Geologist, Environmental Impact Assessor and Mining Consultant.