Environmental Data for Sustainable Development
Overview
- Credit value: 30 credits at Level 5
- Convenor: Dr Aideen Foley
- Assessment: a five-minute video presentation (30%) and 2000-word data storytelling assignment (70%)
Module description
In this module you will gain core knowledge of the science underpinning several of the sustainable development goals most closely aligned with the environment.
We will introduce the history of the sustainable development goals and some key scientific concepts like biogeochemical cycling and nutrient flows, and then explore different sustainability topics of concern week by week, finishing with an examination of the wider economic and ethical perspectives on the environmental challenges encountered.
We will supplement classroom-based learning with two one-day non-residential field trips.
Indicative syllabus
- History of sustainability and the sustainable development goals
- Biogeochemical cycling and nutrient flows
- Climate change
- Oceans
- Freshwater
- Agriculture
- Biodiversity
- Urban environments
- Population and consumption: economic and ethical perspectives
Learning objectives
By the end of the module, you should have increased your knowledge of the following aspects of the earth's natural environment:
- explain key environmental processes relevant to sustainable development goals
- discuss environmental, economic and ethical perspectives on sustainable development
- demonstrate collection of primary data and analysis of secondary data that can support identification of environmental problems and monitor progress towards sustainable development goals.