AESC4070K Global Change Biology

Academic Year 2023/2024

This module examines human-induced changes to the environment, and how these changes affect animals and plants at different biological levels, from changes in individual behaviour and physiology, to landscape scale shifts in species distributions and the timing of biological events. The initial focus of the module will be on describing how human activities have induced environmental changes at global scales, such as changes in climate, pollution of land and water, biogeochemical cycles, and spread of invasive species. Using illustrations from specific cases studies, the course will then examine how these human-induced changes have caused shifts in species range, ecosystem malfunctioning, and loss of biodiversity. The module will also highlight the various strategies now being implemented to reduce the environmental harm caused by current, and past, human activities, and promote more sustainable lifestyles.

[NOTE: This module is only available to Stage 4 Students on the dual undergraduate degree programme in Biological Sciences at Guangzhou-Dublin International College (GDIC)]

Show/hide contentOpenClose All

Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module, students will:
1) be able to demonstrate knowledge of the variety of ways human activities are degrading the environment at global scales
2) understand how this environmental disruption affects biological process at all scales, from short-term effects on individual organisms, to long-term effects on ecosystem functioning and evolutionary shift.
3) comprehend the wide range of academic approaches used to describe and study the connections between human activities, environmental degradation, and biological disruption.
4) understand how ecological and environmental harm caused by human activities will ultimately lead to reduced quality of life for many human populations
5) be aware of the various strategies being used to reduce the environmental harm caused by human activities

Indicative Module Content:

- Overview of how human activities cause environmental harm, and how this can be communicated in terms of Earth's 'spheres' (atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere)
- Consideration of how environmental changes are causing loss of biodiversity
- Review of how animals and plants are responding to climate change in terms of shifting biogeographical distributions and phenology
- Discussion of how ecological malfunction can diminish essential ecosystem services, such as provision of clean water
- Consideration of the consequences of climate change on agricultural systems, and how this subsequently affects human populations
- Review of how human activities such as energy generation and food production can be made more sustainable

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Practical

12
Specified Learning Activities

30
Autonomous Student Learning

40
Total

106
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures
Tutorials/Conversation classes
Practical classes
Guided reading
Case studies
Online materials
 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Exclusions:

This module is only available to Stage 4 Students on the dual undergraduate degree programme in Biological Sciences at Guangzhou-Dublin International College (GDIC)


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Examination: Final year exam covering all material presented in lectures, guided reading, practical/tutorial classes, supplementary material (eg videos) 2 hour End of Trimester Exam Yes Graded No

60
Multiple Choice Questionnaire: Three online multiple choice tests each worth 8% of final grade Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded No

24
Assignment: Oral presentation or recorded presentation on a relevant local topic. Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Graded No

16

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Remediation Type Remediation Timing
In-Module Resit Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback will be provided to the class during practical/tutorial/conversation classes. Online feedback will be provided after online quiz attempts. Individual feedback will be provided after the final assignment. A checklist will be provided so that students can monitor their progress through the module.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 

There are no rows to display