GV2WES: Water in the Earth System

Module code: GV2WES

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

Credits: 20

Level: Level 2 (Intermediate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Professor Andrew Wade, email: a.j.wade@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Dr Jess Neumann, email: j.l.neumann@reading.ac.uk

Additional teaching staff 1: Professor Anne Verhoef, email: a.verhoef@reading.ac.uk

Additional teaching staff 2: Professor Elizabeth Shaw, email: e.j.shaw@reading.ac.uk

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: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 20 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The module aim is to provide subject-specific knowledge on the topic of water in the Earth System. The purpose is to provide an introductory and exemplar systemic understanding of the connections, through water, between the abiotic and biotic components of the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, pedosphere and biosphere. Where relevant these relationships will be considered within the Drivers, Pressures, State, Impact, Response (DPSIR) Framework to support the systems thinking approach to complex, interacting systems, and finding solutions to the issues faced. 

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Demonstrate, through analysis, a systemic understanding of fundamental concepts and processes operating in the Earth System centred on water and its relationship to life, namely the interactions within and between the atmosphere, hydrosphere, pedosphere and biosphere. 
2. Evaluate the importance of temporal and spatial scales for comprehending natural and anthropogenic impacts on the water environment, and related interaction and feedback within ecosystems and the wider environment. 
3. Apply the academic literature to support critical discussions of pertinent environmental and sustainable development issues focused around water and its role in ecosystems. 

Module content

Principles and processes 

1.  Drivers and pressures related to water in Earth System (the why question), DPSIR Framework 
2. Water, carbon and energy 
3. Water, biogeochemistry and ecology 
4. Water in the unsaturated zone 
5. Plant-water uptake, transpiration and weather extremes 
6. Groundwater-surface water interactions 

Ecosystem change and management (including further depth on key processes). Exact content will vary from year to year but is likely to include case studies for some of the following: 

7. Arid/semi-arid ecosystems 
8. Global peatland ecosystems 
9. Wetland ecosystems 
10. High-mountain ecosystems 
11. Agricultural ecosystems 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

One 2-hour mini-lectures/interactive session per week, followed by a 2-hour practical classes/seminar/ group presentation with discussion – dependent on the case study. 

Principles and processes: Lectures describe the interactions and key processes. Practical work (i.e., complete answers to a work book and attend a seminar to discuss) consolidates knowledge. Practical classes could include use of

Ecosystem change and management (including key processes): Lecture to introduce each ecosystem setting, the key drivers, pressures, system (process), impact and response. Follow-up seminar based on workbook asking questions to deepen process knowledge and presentations by one or two student groups on the topic based on their own reading/case study. Rotate through student groups so that different groups present in different weeks.

Study hours

At least 48 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.

Reassessment

Additional costs