GV1SENU: Soil and Earth Surface Dynamics

Module code: GV1SENU

Module provider: Geography and Environmental Science; School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science

Credits: 20

Level: Level 1 (Certificate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Hazel McGoff, email: h.j.mcgoff@reading.ac.uk

NUIST module lead: Adharsh Rajasekar, email: adharsh.r@nuist.edu.cn

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 20 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module provides an introduction to the wide-ranging scientific processes that explain the formation, properties and functions of soils in the environment. It provides an overview of the key concepts and theories in soil physical, chemical and biological properties. The module also addresses the impacts on soil and its contiguous environment of land and waste management practices at the Earth surface. Where relevant, the environmental impacts will be considered in the context of global climate change and demand for renewable energy.   

Module learning outcomes

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

• Understand different types and aspects of soil morphology along with the relevant processes occurring within the soil ecosystem.   
• Illustrate and discuss the nature and functions of soil colloids both in relation to the availability of nutrients to plant roots, and to the wider environmental implications.  
• Describe the basic design principles in the construction of landfill sites, explain pollutant emissions from landfill and their implications for the soil, groundwater and atmospheric environments.  
• Demonstrate improvement in their critical appraisal of scientific information, written communication, time management and the use of technical vocabulary and enhance their skills in solving numerical problems across a range of soil physical properties and related land management interventions. 

Module content

• The importance of soil in our environment. 
• Processes and properties in soil formation and morphology: soil horizons, texture and structure and their importance in determining soil porosity and water dynamics. 
• Theory, practice and applications in soil sampling: identifying basic physical soil properties and types; sampling techniques, transport and storage. 
• Clay minerology and its importance in chemical processes: pH buffering, ion exchange, nutrient and pollutant mobility. 
• Numerical problem solving in soil management for environmental engineers. 
• Landfill and other waste management practices at the Earth surface: design and management regulations and restrictions 
• Transport and emissions of landfill solid, solute and gaseous pollutants, and their environmental impacts. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Classroom lectures will describe and explain the concepts and key processes, and a series of strategically timed seminars will discuss case studies, consolidate knowledge, and allow interactions and group presentations. 

Laboratory sessions will provide essential practical experience and group work in the investigation of specific topics.

Study hours

At least 96 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

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

Assessments with numerical marks

• 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 three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/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.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Advice is provided through seminars. 

In-class quizzes provide the opportunity for feedback and feed-forward. 

Reassessment

Additional costs