| CODE | IES5037 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Sources and Sinks: Energy, Water and Air 1: Key Concepts | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 6 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Institute of Earth Systems | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit forms part of a set of two study-units that will be offered sequentially. These will address the use of energy, water and air resources, focusing on pressures and impacts exerted through their use and related remediation tools. This first study-unit in the series will be subdivided into four main parts. First, it will outline the concept of environmental sources and sinks and interlinkages between these, in the context of a wider understanding of Earth Systems. Second, students will be introduced to fundamental concepts related to energy and its importance, as well as related principles of energy science. Students will explore a range of potential energy sources, including specific non-renewable (coal and nuclear) and renewable (wind) sources, and will consider the impacts of these different energy generation options on environmental systems. Third, the sudy-unit will explore sustainability issues related to air quality, focusing on the role of air as a sink for pollutants and related changes in the chemistry of the atmosphere. Fourth, the study-unit will introduce students to aspects of hydrology and water chemistry, as well as to relevant sampling and analytical laboratory techniques, with a focus on river and stream water quality and the management of nutrient pollution. The study-unit will also consider climate change as a cross-cutting theme, relevant to all sectors. Relevant policy aspects will also be introduced, with a focus on trends and developments within the United States. Study-Unit Aims: - Advance students鈥� understanding of the role of environmental sources and sinks in natural cycles; - Provide students with a fundamental understanding of the physics and chemistry of the hydrosphere and atmosphere; - Enable students to understand fundamental concepts associated with energy discovery, production and use; - Introduce students to hydrology and water chemistry; - Familiarise students with interlinkages between the use of energy and water resources and related impacts on Earth systems. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Define environmental sources and sinks and identify their roles within natural cycles; - Explain basic concepts of water and atmospheric chemistry; - Identify stressors on air quality and water resources; - Explain the fundamental science associated with energy transformations; - Describe the advantages and impacts of selected conventional and alternative energy technologies; - Evaluate implications of air and water quality issues for humans and the environment. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Estimate energy needs globally; - Apply systems modelling techniques to energy usage; - Identify linkages between air and water quality issues and specific anthropogenic. activities; - Apply techniques for sampling and analysis of water quality. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Vasel-Be-Hagh, A. and Ting, D.S.K. (2020) Environmental Management of Air, Water, Agriculture and Energy. Routledge. + additional readings to be provided by faculty. |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Co-requisite Study-units: IES5038 ** Resits will be held during the period indicated by the partner institution responsible for the study-unit in accordance with the regulations applicable at the respective institution. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture, Fieldwork and Lab Sessions | ||||||||
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| LECTURER/S | Tobias Gerken |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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