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XX20085: Earth as an ecosystem

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2013/4
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Programmes in Natural Sciences
Further information on credits Credits: 6
Further information on unit levels Level: Intermediate (FHEQ level 5)
Further information on teaching periods Period: Semester 1
Further information on unit assessment Assessment: EX 100%
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment: Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites: While taking this unit you must take XX20001. You must have an A-level (or equivalent) in Chemistry in order to take this unit.
Further information on descriptions Description: Aims:
To develop an understanding of the global impact of human agricultural and industrial activity and of the relationship between the technical and some social and economic aspects of the topic.

Learning Outcomes:
After studying this Unit students should be able to:
* Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of a range of global environmental science topics;
* Recognise the experimental and analytical evidence for this knowledge;
* Consider the implications of current environmental problems for living organisms and their life support systems.

Skills:
Learning and studying (T/F/A), Information handling and retrieval (T/F/A), Written communication (T/F/A), Working independently (T/F).

Content:
Global human impact: population and consumption levels; Early mankind and the domestication of other species; The agricultural and industrial revolutions; Improvements in healthcare and education; Demographic trends; Sustainable economic development; Equitable distribution of resources; Policies and institutions; Biomagnification and heavy metals; Radioactivity and nuclear reactors; reprocessing and waste storage. Atmospheric and ground level pollution; Structure and dynamics of the atmosphere; Photochemical cycles involving O, N and Cl species; Factors affecting ozone concentrations; The Greenhouse effect; Photochemical smog and acid rain considered via case studies; Speciation of anionic and cationic water pollutants.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

XX20085 is Optional on the following programmes:

Programmes in Natural Sciences
  • UXXX-AFB01 : BSc (hons) Natural Sciences (Full-time) - Year 2
  • UXXX-AKB02 : BSc (hons) Natural Sciences with Industrial Placement (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 2
  • UXXX-AAB02 : BSc (hons) Natural Sciences with Study Year Abroad (Full-time with Study Year Abroad) - Year 2
  • UXXX-AFM01 : MSci (hons) Natural Sciences (Full-time) - Year 2
  • UXXX-AKM02 : MSci (hons) Natural Sciences with Professional Placement (Full-time with Thick Sandwich Placement) - Year 2
  • UXXX-AAM02 : MSci (hons) Natural Sciences with Study Year Abroad (Full-time with Study Year Abroad) - Year 2

Notes:
* This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2013/4 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2014/15 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2013/14.
* Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.
* Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.