| Unit name | Biogeochemistry |
|---|---|
| Unit code | EASC20050 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | I/5 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Buss |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
Successful completion of a Year 1 Earth Sciences programme. |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Earth Sciences |
| Faculty | Faculty of Science |
Why is this unit important?
Biogeochemistry is an integrated discipline grounded in geochemistry that investigates the biological, geological, and chemical controls on the distribution of elements in nature and the geochemical controls on the structure and functions of ecosystems. Many geochemical processes are mediated by microorganisms, which are the most abundant and diverse forms of life, inhabiting nearly every environment on Earth from the atmosphere to several km into the crust. The study of biogeochemistry is fundamental to understanding natural processes, resource potential, and sustainable solutions to environmental problems.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
This unit builds on the understanding gained in the Year 1 units Our Habitable Planet and Environmental Sustainability and Resources and puts in context skills learnt in Physics and Chemistry for Earth Scientists. It provides the theoretical underpinning for the practical knowledge you will gain in the Year 2 unit Field and Lab Skills for the Environment as well as fundamental grounding for Earth's Critical Zone and many 3rd year dissertation projects.
An overview of content
The aim of the unit is to develop key skills in geochemistry and apply them to natural scenarios to understand the distribution of elements and isotopes in the environment, including the roles played by microorganisms. Students will learn about chemical equilibrium, microbial metabolism, how mineral and cell surfaces react with the environment, microbial roles in mineral weathering and the formation of secondary minerals, and biogeochemical processes related to environmental contamination and remediation.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit?
Students will see how various threads of the programme tie together to yield a picture of how the Earth operates, appreciate the value of the basic skills already taught, and see how they can be applied to more complex problems. You will grasp some of the complexity of the biogeochemistry of the planet as well as gain confidence in addressing complex environmental problems.
Learning Outcomes
Teaching will combine practicals and lectures. Practicals will consolidate lecture material and provide inquiry- and problem-based exercises, with some applied content. Guided background reading will also be provided.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative)
Problem sets, data analysis and interpretation activities will be done in class, and worked answers to these classroom exercises will be provided. Students are strongly encouraged to use these materials to learn and prepare for the summative assessment and to bring any remaining questions to the subsequent office hours.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative)
There will be a final exam testing the breadth of skills developed in the unit (100%)
When assessment does not go to plan
The University's Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes outline the requirements for progression on and completion of degree programmes. Students who miss an exam and self-certify their absence may complete a supplementary assessment for an uncapped mark as if taken for the first time. Resit and supplementary exams are habitually taken during the reassessment period later in the summer. As far as is practicable and appropriate, resit and supplementary assessments will be in the same form as the original assessment but will always test the same intended learning outcomes as the initial missed or failed assessment. In the case of group work, failure by a whole group would result in an appropriate group task being set and reassessed for all group members. If a single student fails a group assessment or is unable to participate for an evidenced reason, an individual reassessment will be set.
There are rigorous and fair procedures in place to support students who are ill or whose studies and assessments are affected by exceptional circumstances.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. EASC20050).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
