Environmental Geography with Studies in the USA

The Earth Surface Processes module explores the landscape in which we live, work and play, and considers the future trajectory of earth surface processes in the light of the Climate Crisis. We evaluate the influence of the properties of rock and soils on the operation of slopes, rivers and the coast, then look at the biogeography of the UK; past, present and future.

The learning environment includes fieldwork (both in-person and virtual) to develop field and analytical skills in soils, geomorphology and palaeoscience) to provide an holistic view of environmental challenges and the tools to tackle their environmental management.

Environmental resources such as food, energy, water and minerals are essential to development across the globe, yet the availability of these resources is not equally shared and, in some cases, not unlimited. This makes the variation in the availability of these resources one of the most important issues for society in the twenty-first century.

This module introduces the fundamental topics in environmental resources through a set of historical and contemporary environmental ‘crises’ related to climate change, food security, water availability and pollution and examines some of the global, national and local responses these crises.

Through an active learning process, you will explore the challenges faced by society and participate in site visits, field trips and laboratory work.

People, Place and Space is a rich module that introduces students to the human dimension of geography. Lectures will discuss contemporary themes to understand the socio-economic changes and evolution that our society has experienced in this last century. The module will start exploring topics such as urbanisation, industrialisation, globalisation and development, to then look at socio-cultural themes such as gender, identity, ageing, health and sexuality. It will finally conclude investigating the human dimensions of sustainability, disasters and climate change.

While studying this range of topics through the lenses of human geography, students will strengthen their critically skills, learn to meaningfully construct an argument and to discuss confidently about these world issues.  

Environmental resources such as food, energy, water and minerals are essential to development across the globe, yet the availability of these resources is not equally shared, nor is it unlimited. This makes the variation in the availability of these resources arguably one of the most important issues for society in the twenty first century.

This module introduces the fundamental topics in environmental resources through a set of historical and contemporary ‘crisis’ in the environment related to climate change, food security, water availability and pollution and examines some of the global, national and local responses these crises.

The Academic Tutorial module supports your transition to university by developing your academic, personal and professional skills to prepare you for study and work. Lectures will focus on topics such as referencing, academic writing, understanding feedback and career planning. There will also be opportunities to work with your peers in small group tutorials and get involved in volunteering. Your assignments focus on a range of geographical/environmental management issues linked to the other core first year modules. As well as the weekly lectures, you will also attend one-hour tutorials with a member of academic staff from the department, these involve discussion, debate and problem solving, as well as regular monitoring of your personal progress throughout the first year.

The Applied skills and fieldwork module provides lectures and associated practical activities (in trimester 1) to identify and source data, describe, and utilise environmental statistics to develop writing and analytical skills associated with spatial and temporal variations in real world data.

In Trimester 2 lectures investigate the role of qualitative research methods and build background detail before the residential field course takes place. Post field course sessions provide opportunities for feedback, questions and guidance before the final assessment. This module introduces water, glaciers, climate change and a mixed methods approach to both desk and field based activities. You will explore these themes through a combination of lectures, practical computer lab sessions and field work. 

This module gives you the opportunity to undertake a 12-week placement with a company or organisation from the geo-technical, environmental, or sustainability sectors. You will be prepared for placement through a series of workshops run by your academic tutors and employability professionals, with contributions from external industry speakers. You will have the chance to apply for a range of placements developed by academic staff and our industry partners. Where you have a particular interest in a field of geographical, environmental, or sustainability work we help you to find a placement that suits your needs. Students have undertaken placements with Jacobs, Kier, Electricity Northwest, Royal Haskoning DHV, and with universities and local authorities. You can develop a wide range of skills and there are great opportunities for networking with professionals to enhance your job prospects.

In this module, you will obtain a comprehensive understanding of Geographical Information Systems (GIS). The module concentrates on geospatial data interpretation within GIS software. You will learn how to critically assess environmental issues and design solutions using appropriate geospatial analysis methods. The knowledge you will gain is a growing area of employment. The module will be delivered using a combination of lectures and computer-based practicals. These combination sessions will provide you with fundamental skills in industry-standard GIS software to analyse environmental data.

Research Methods provides students with the theoretical knowledge to undertake an independent research project by studying key methods used in social science research. Once the theoretical basis has been delivered, students will be able to conduct their own research project working in small groups on key contemporary geography topics. Thus, the module provides students with practical fieldwork skills to design and plan a dissertation project and develop life-long learning skills. By the end of the trimester, students will be able to have a good foundation to conduct a research project in geography.

Your final year dissertation is an opportunity for you to undertake independent research in an area of interest to you. You will work with one of our academic staff who will guide your research and introduce you to a range of techniques and methods for collecting and analysing data. We offer a range of opportunities to undertake field investigations, work in our high specification laboratories, use cutting edge modelling and mapping software, and to explore areas of human geography through surveys, interviews and focus groups. We will match your research interests to the skills and expertise of our academic supervisors. There are also opportunities to work with professionals from our partner organisations, like the Environment Agency, Northern Roots, and companies such as Kier.

In today’s current climate, it is important to understand the underlying scientific principles of how the changing climate has an effect on the natural world, urban environments and society. This module will give you this knowledge, and the confidence to analyse the implications of change on biodiversity, ecosystems and society, whilst identifying the adaptations and mitigation options that are available. You will also learn how to explore the viability of these options and gain the skills to effectively communicate your ideas in formal and informal settings (ranging from social media, through to intellectual debates).

This module explores in detail the concepts and theories that underpin fluvial and glacial systems including hill slope processes, fluvial network development and glacial systems. You will explore the stability and characteristics of fluvial systems in the UK, Europe and in Semi-Arid landscapes. We will undertake international fieldwork, currently in the historic city of Prague, where the Vltava (the longest river in the Czech Republic) has an extensive network of flood protection and river restoration efforts. You will undertake detailed site and desk-based methodological approaches to build your understanding of natural dynamic systems and managed river environments. We conduct 2-D river simulation modelling and iterate the building of sustainable river restoration projects.

Development and Global Challenges explores a range of interesting global phenomena and development issues that affect great part of our planet. Initially the module reflects critically development theories and approaches discussing their relationship with wider phenomena such as colonialism, neoliberalism, globalisation and sustainability.

In the second part, drawing upon cases studies from the global north and south, we will study a range of global challenges such as migration, food security, poverty, inequality, waste and wellbeing. In this module students will become very confident in approaching and discussing issued related to development by using a critical approach the recognises the pros and cons of our human evolution. Furthermore, students will learn to write a podcast script and to disseminate academic knowledge and research to a wider public with diverse tools.

This module will give you an introduction in the role and implementation of models to solve environmental problems. Environmental modelling is an important tool across policy and decision making in fields such as conservation, wildlife management, biodiversity and climate change.  The module consists of a combination of lectures and computer practicals where you will get hands on experience of different types of models and how they are used to inform environmental decision making. The module is focused on the use of models rather than on mathematical or technical aspects of model development, and so will benefit anyone interested in the rapidly increasing role of models in environmental policy.

This module provides the opportunity to learn or develop a language with the University-wide language programme.

If ‘wellbeing’ is the ‘ability to appropriately respond to expected and unexpected stresses in order to be happy, healthy and prosperous in work and life’ – it is clear that we must carefully consider the influence of the wider environment. This includes consideration of social and economic factors in addition to those related to pollution, infectious and non-infectious disease, work and climate; these are recognised in the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and are often concerned with health inequalities. This module explores the relationships between human health and the environment through policy, assessment, promotion and intervention – all of which are routed in real-world application.

In this module, you will explore key components and applications of remote sensing for monitoring human impacts on the environment and gain interpersonal skills through contributing to teamwork. The module will use a combination of lectures, seminar discussions, fieldwork, and computer-based practicals. These combination sessions will provide you with experience in using industry-standard image processing software and the skills to carry out the group-based project. The group work will include planning, designing, and conducting remote sensing-related projects to address real environmental issues. The knowledge you will gain from this module to comprehend and analyse remotely sensed data is a highly employable skillset.

Sustainable Cities is a broad module covering a wide variety of topics, allowing you to focus on elements relevant to your specific field of study. This module will engage with a host of ideas and concepts, from radical urban greening, such as rooftops and living walls, to growing food at scale in cities. The module draws on large international research projects and work, exploring innovation in the likes of North America, Africa, Europe and elsewhere. As part of the module, students will undertake international fieldwork, with current trips visiting the likes of Prague to explore complex sustainability issues in a historic cityscape.