GV2ECNU-Ecological Engineering of the Environment

Module Provider: Geography and Environmental Science
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Steve Robinson
Email: j.s.robinson@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The module addresses so-called ‘soft engineering’ solutions to environmental challenges, such as the restoration or creation of wetlands, woodlands or grasslands in order to preserve and protect rural ecosystems or to prevent flooding of urban areas.

Aims:

This module aims to develop skills in developing and applying practical solutions to managing environmental challenges both within and for our rural and urban landscapes.  

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will:

• Understand ecological functions, and how to use those functions to meet the joint needs of mankind and ecosystem functioning


• Be able to work across cognate disciplines in environmental management, and communicate effectively to the public.


• Appreciate the connectedness and interaction among ecosystem structures, functions, and landforms.


• Describe the pro cesses in the design of systems that replicate, restore, or at least mimic ecosystems, with a clear understanding of the three axioms of Ecological Engineering


• To understand a set of explicit design guidelines for non-built ecosystems.

Additional outcomes:

It is expected that the students will be able to apply their study and learning skills, as well as their critical thinking skills, to related modules that focus on specific aspects of this module.

Outline content:

• Ecology and Sustainable Development: Axioms of Ecological Engineering, Sustainable Design Principles, Human-Dominated Earth, Increasing Demands for Ecosystem Services, Human Impacts through Urbanization, Land Use Change, Agricultural Production, Water Resource Demands


• Rural Space and Rural Development: Endangering the environment, Types of Threats to the Environment, Impact of Agriculture on Degradation of Environment, Conversion of Natural Forest and Grassland into Agricultural Ecosystems, Degradation of Forests, Grassland Ecosystems, Air and Water Pollution, Floods, Droughts and Wetland Buffer zones


• Ecosystem Services: Ecosystem Services, Land Use, Biodiversity


• Designing Ecosystem Services: Agricultural Lands, Forests, Grasslands, Wetlands, Urban Areas.

Global context:

The environmental issues and the fundamentals of the soft-engineering solutions are applicable across the world.  

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Combination of interactive lectures and student presentations, supplemented with field surveys.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		28
Seminars		10
Fieldwork		10
Guided independent study:		52
Total hours by term	0	100	0
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	55
Oral assessment and presentation	25
Class test administered by School	20

Summative assessment- Examinations:

2 hours

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Oral presentations and associated output will be assessed both as group and individual assignments. These assessments will be based on the field surveys.

The in-class test will be set close to the middle of the semester. 

Formative assessment methods:

Advice on course work is provided during the periods of preparation for the group presentations, as well as during the scheduled lectures. 

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

40% overall

Reassessment arrangements:

Re-examination in August

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: 

2) Specialist equipment or materials: 

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 

4) Printing and binding: 

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: 

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 2 December 2021