GV362-Water Resources

Module Provider: Geography and Environmental Science
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Prof Alan Howard
Email: a.howard@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module is delivered at the University of Reading and focusses on water quality, public health and associated water resource management... A range of historical, current and emerging water quality problems will be considered relating to drinking water and water-bodies used for bathing and recreation. The role of the WHO, EU and national governments in water resource management will be considered. Delivery is through a traditional lecture-format with weekly interactive micro-learning tasks to enhance learning, Assessment consists of an exam and coursework assignment.   

Aims:

The purpose of the module is to engage students with past, current and future water quality problems to enable critical examination of their impact, particularly on public health, and the effectiveness of water resource management strategies and legislation. Students’ learning will focus on extending knowledge delivered in lectures through research and analysis of peer-review journal articles and books, and relevant published reports and datasets. Through this learning, students will achieve a comprehensive conceptual knowledge and understanding supported by a range of detailed real-world examples and case studies.  

Assessable learning outcomes:

• Students will demonstrate knowledge, understanding and intellectual curiosity about water quality and public health, and associated approaches to water resource management.


• Students will be able to describe how the past has informed approaches to water quality management in the present and recognise that new problems continue to emerge.


• Students will demonstrate analytical skills through critical consideration and analysis of published articles and data to appraise impacts of water quality problems and evaluate the effectiveness of management approaches in different part of the world.


• Students will be able to demonstrate originality and the use of evidence-based arguments and critical reflection in the application and presentation of knowledge.

Additional outcomes:

Outline content:

The module will cover historical examples of water quality and health, with detailed consideration of 19th century cholera outbreaks and the associated work of William Farr, John Snow and Joseph Bazelgette.  How this work helped to establish modern principles of sanitation, wastewater and water management will be considered. To support understanding of the link between water quality and public health, the principles of epidemiology will be introduced.  A range of water quality issues will be considered with reference to examples from different time periods and geographical areas. Topics may include toxic cyanobacteria, bacterial contamination of bathing waters, nitrates and public health, access to safe drinking water and sanitation, and the emergence of new waterborne pathogens such as H.pylori. Different approaches to management will be examined, including the work of the WHO, the effectiveness of European Union directives on the environment and water quality, and approaches to water quality improvement in China through use of constructed wetland systems.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Lectures, video, tutorials, email support & further supporting materials via Blackboard.

The optional tutorial (in person or online) sessions provide opportunity to discuss the coursework assignment with the convenor.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	24
Tutorials	4
Guided independent study:	172
Total hours by term	200	0	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	50
Written assignment including essay	50

Summative assessment- Examinations:
Two hours

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:
Students will write an essay as the coursework component of the module assessment.

Formative assessment methods:

A series of directed micro-learning tasks to supplement lecture content will be deployed each week with class-level feedback provided.

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: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/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:
An overall mark of 40%

Reassessment arrangements:
Exam and opportunity to resubmit coursework essay

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: 30 March 2023