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Earth System Science: Our Changing Planet

Module description

This module will provide you with an introductory understanding of the processes operating within the contemporary Earth System, and how these change in time. The module examines the geosphere, ocean and atmosphere, cryosphere and biosphere, and how these systems have been, and may continue to be, influenced by human and naturally-induced environmental changes. The major components of the Earth System will be brought together in the context of contemporary climate change.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module aims to provide you with an introductory understanding of processes operating within the geosphere, oceans, atmosphere, cryosphere and biosphere, and how these processes have been, and continue to be, influenced by human and naturally-induced environmental changes. Earth System Science: Our Changing Planet aims to provide you with much of the background understanding required for a degree in Physical Geography.

This module will contribute to the development of your understanding of how core skills contribute and relate to employability potential, specifically through the application of critical analytical skills to a range of contemporary global challenges.

The teaching contributions on this module involve elements of research undertaken by Physical Geographers at the University of Exeter, and may include (for example) the terrestrial carbon cycle and the biosphere, river erosion and the geosphere the cryosphere and ocean modelling and climate. Moreover, you are encouraged to undertake enquiry-led learning, specifically through the reading of research articles as well as lecture material.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental processes operating within the geosphere, oceans, atmosphere, cryosphere and biosphere
• 2. Identify the relationships between environmental change and earth system responses
• 3. Recognise points of interference between earth systems and human activities

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 4. Recognise the contested and provisional nature of knowledge and understanding
• 5. Analyse and synthesise information and recognise relevance
• 6. Differentiate between conceptual and empirical knowledge

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 7. Interpret qualitative and quantitative information
• 8. Undertake independent study using appropriate literature

Syllabus plan

The module comprises  introductory material  followed by four sections covering Biosphere, Geosphere, Cryosphere and Ocean/Climate. Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics: 

• Climate science basics
• The biosphere, overarching concepts
• Biodiversity, the diversity of life on Earth
• Biogeography, the spatial distribution of the biosphere
• Biogeochemistry, biospheric cycles Ocean circulation
• Shaping of Earth’s crust by plate tectonics
• Introduction to fluvial and arid processes
• Climate-landscape interactions
• The dynamics of the cryosphere
• Ice/climate interactions
• Ice/ocean interactions  
• Atmospheric circulation
• Future climate changes

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to sit a further examination. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• Holden, J. (ed.) Physical Geography and the Environment
• Smithson, P. Addison, K. and Atkinson, K. Fundamentals of the Physical Environment
• Vallis, G. Climate and the Ocean
• Benn, D. and Evans, D.J.A Glaciers and Glaciation
• Smil, V. The Earth's Biosphere: Evolution, Dynamics and Change. The MIT Press

Key words search

Earth system science, climate science, geosphere, oceans, atmosphere, cryosphere and biosphere, biogeochemical cycle, landscape, geomorphology, climate impacts