Programme Specifications

Earth Science, Environmental Sciences and Earth Studies

• To provide a friendly environment in which students can gain a broad knowledge of how the physical Earth works as an integrated system, especially at the interface between the atmosphere, and the Earth's surface and subsurface.

• To give students the opportunity to apply this knowledge to identifying and resolving environmental issues facing the planet and our society.

• To produce graduates with a range of transferable skills, including numeracy, computer literacy, team-work, and oral, written and graphical presentation skills.

• Acquisition of subject-specific knowledge

• Geology, geochemistry, geobiology, geomorphology, (palaeo)climatology,, geohazards, mineralogy, Earth resources, GIS and remote sensing, and a variety of other aspects at the interface Earth Science, Environmental Science and Physical Geography.

• Links between earth-surface processes, the underlying geology, the hydrosphere, the atmosphere and human activity, particularly in the context of environmental change.

• Application to resolving environmental issues, such as climatic change, pollution, waste disposal, water resources and water health, natural hazards, and sustainable development and resource use.

On completion of the degree, students will have a broad-based knowledge and understanding in the following adapted Benchmarking categories:

A1 Earth System Science:

An holistic appreciation of the present and past interactions between components of the Earth as an integrated system, and the effects of extra-terrestrial influences on these interactions.

Processes within the solid Earth, hydrosphere, cryosphere, atmosphere and biosphere, and how they interact with one another

The physical principles underpinning our understanding of Earth’s structure, materials and processes.

A2 Major earth science paradigms:

The principle of Uniformitarianism, “the present is the key to the past” and its subsequent development; also extending the principle to the future.

The magnitude of geological time

Plate tectonic processes

A3 Awareness of temporal and spatial scales:

Geological time, including the principles of stratigraphy, geochronology, rates of Earth processes, major events in Earth history.

A4 Earth structure, materials and processes

Structure and composition of the solid earth

The atmosphere, hydrosphere and cryosphere

The biosphere

A5 Terminology, nomenclature and classification of earth materials:

Rocks and minerals

Geological structures

Surficial sediments

A6 Practical knowledge:

Collection and documentation of own geological and physical geographical information in the field.Surveying and measurement both in the field and laboratory, and evaluating data qualitatively and quantitatively.

Evaluate a range of GIS and remotely sensed data.

A7 Environmental Earth Science issues

Exploration and sustainable use of of Earth resources

Geohazards and their impacts on human societies

Past, present, and future climatic change

Perspectives on sustainability and social awareness such as energy usage, pollution, water resources, waste disposal and environmental degradation

Environmental monitoring, management and remediation

Each of the above components of the Environmental Earth Science degree scheme is spread through a diverse range of modules as indicated in the university’s module website https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/modules/deptcurrent/Geography+and+Earth+Sciences/

Learning & Teaching:

A wide range of teaching methods are used in delivering discipline-specific knowledge. These methods are elucidated on a module-by-module basis as also indicated in the university’s module website:

Level 1 Lectures, seminars, practical classes, and field-based teaching

Level 2/3 Lectures, seminars, workshops, laboratory and practical classes, fieldwork, Dissertation and Project work

Overall, there is strong emphasis on fieldwork, with specific modules of 20 credits at Levels 1, 2 & 3. In addition, Dissertations may involve a strong fieldwork component. A substantial fieldwork element is viewed by the Benchmarking document as essential in Earth and Environmental Science degree schemes.

Assessment:

Level 1 Coursework essays and exercise-based assignments; practical workbooks; fieldwork notebooks and field-based exercises; seen and unseen essay or short-answer examinations; unseen computer-marked multiple-choice examinations.

Level 2/3 Coursework essays and exercise-based assignments; practical workbooks; fieldwork notebooks and field-based exercises; dissertation and project work;; data analysis laboratory reports; problem-solving assignments; poster or oral presentations; seen and unseen essay or short-answer examinations.

10.2.1 Intellectual skills

B1 recognising and using subject-specific theories, paradigms, concepts and principles

B2 analysing, synthesising and summarising information critically, including prior research

B3 collecting and integrating several lines of evidence to formulate and test hypotheses

B4 applying knowledge and understanding to address familiar and unfamiliar problems

B5 recognising the moral and ethical issues of investigations and appreciating the need for professional codes of conduct.

10.2.2 Practical Skills

C1 Planning, conducting, and reporting on investigations, including the use of secondary data

C2 collecting, recording and analysing data using appropriate techniques in the field and laboratory

C3 undertaking field and laboratory investigations in a responsible and safe manner, paying due attention to risk assessment, research ethics and equality, diversity and inclusion

C4 referencing work in an appropriate manner.

10.2.3 Communications skills

D1 receiving and responding to a variety of information sources (e.g. textual, numerical, verbal, graphical)

D2 communicating appropriately to a variety of audiences in written, verbal and graphical forms.

10.2.4 Numeracy and Computer & IT skills

E1 Appreciating issues of sample selection, accuracy, precision and uncertainty during collection, recording and analysis of data in the field and laboratory

E2 preparing, processing, interpreting and presenting data, using appropriate qualitative and quantitative techniques and packages

E3 solving numerical problems using computer and non-computer based techniques

E4 use and develop digital resources

10.2.5 Interpersonal/teamwork skills

F1 identifying individual and collective goals and responsibilities and performing in a manner appropriate to these roles

F2 recognising and respecting the views and opinions of other team members

F3 evaluating performance as an individual and a team member

10.2.6 Self management and professional development skills

G1 developing the skills necessary for self-managed and lifelong learning (e.g. working independently, time management and organisation skills)

G2 identifying and working towards targets for personal, academic and career development; careers awareness

G3 developing an adaptable and flexible approach to study and work

Teaching, Learning, & Assessment

Skills-based teaching, learning and assessment are delivered within the context of specific skills-based modules, as well as within the broad-range of discipline-specific modules. Details are the same as those given at the end of Section 10.1.

Learning, teaching and assessment methods are reviewed regularly in response to national developments, most recently in relation to the Subject Benchmark Statement.

• D1 Working independently

• D2 Working as part of a team

• D3 Respecting the views, beliefs, opinions and values of others

• D4 Listening to, and engaging with, other speakers

• D5 Effective verbal communication in a range of settings, including group discussions and debates and formal presentations.

• D6 Effective written communication in a variety of forms

• D7 Use of information technologies to process, store, present and communicate information, including spreadsheets, databases, word processing, e-mail and the world-wide web.

• D8 Identifying, retrieving, sorting and handling information from conventional and digital sources.

• D9 Time management and self-regulation of work regimes.

• D10 Research issues and solve problems

• D11 Adapting to change

• D12 Reading comprehension and interpretation of a range of written material

• D13 Observational skills.

• D14 Collating, processing, interpreting and presenting numerical data.

• D15 Identifying appropriate career pathways and developing the capacity to compete effectively for employment opportunities.