Environmental and Engineering Geology | SOES3008

Module overview

This module examines current topics in environmental and engineering geology – the practical application of the principles of geology/Earth Science in the solving of environmental and engineering problems. Through a mix of lecture, discussion and practical sessions, you will cover various aspects of environmental geochemistry, environmental radioactivity, engineering geology and hydrogeology/hydrology, and show how the interconnections between these and other academic areas (oceanography, biology, geomorphology, civil engineering etc.) allow the better understanding and management of major and complex contemporary issues such as Nuclear decommissioning, Geoengineering/Carbon Capture Technology, Urban regeneration, Waste Management, and water resource and public health / environmental protection. The module develops a range of wider skills relevant to employers, including numeracy and analysis skills, problem solving and group working.

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Develop strategies for working on multifactorial, multidisciplinary problems.
Apply examples of environmental and engineering geology theory and practice to address environmental and waste management problems.
Integrate aspects of environmental geochemistry, environmental radioactivity and hydrogeology/hydrology to develop solutions to complex environmental or engineering problems
Apply fundamental radioactivity equations and concepts to assess environmental and human health consequences of nuclear industry discharges.

Syllabus

The module is concerned with a number of inter-related environmental geological issues that have not been encountered in other courses. Relevant introductory material is presented to ensure that a good understanding of the key issues can be gained by students having a background in any of the environmental sciences (geology, geophysics, Phy Geog, Env Sci) Several of the course topics are inter-related which increases the value of the learning outcomes. Additionally, several aspects introduce information on employability prospects. The course covers problems of urban geology, including water supply and pollution (hydrology and hydrogeology) wastes and contaminated land. It also includes the impact of mining and extractive industries on the environment, aspects of natural and anthropogenic environmental radioactivity, and the many issues relating to problems relating to nuclear site operations, incidents, decommissioning, waste discharges to the sea and nuclear waste disposal.

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

Formal Lectures: (24 x 45 minute Lectures): are concerned with theoretical background and case-studies relating to water resources, wastes, engineering, land remediation, radioactivity, environmental geochemistry and health. Invited speakers make specialist contributions to the course.

Practicals: 7 x 2 hour laboratory classes.

Tutorial / group discussion: 2 hours

A wide range of support can be provided for those students who have further or specific learning and teaching needs.

Study time
Type	Hours
Lecture	24
Tutorial	2
Revision	10
Practical classes and workshops	14
Guided independent study	30
Completion of assessment task	70
Seminar
Total study time	150

Assessment

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Essay	60%
Coursework assignment(s)	40%