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SUST10010

Academic Year 2024/2025

Introduction to Sustainability (SUST10010)

Subject:
Sustainability
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Geography
Level:
1 (Introductory)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor Gerald Mills
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module introduces the principles of sustainability and its measurement, and provides a broad overview of the major sustainability challenges in water, climate, energy, food and pollution. As part of the module students define sustainability and how it is measured using the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Students also investigate how sustainable development can be promoted at local, regional and national level across different economic sectors (e.g. agriculture, energy generation, urban growth, industry).

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module the learner will/should be able to;
• Consider the principles, terminology and main issues of sustainability and its importance to human society
• Discuss the development and implementation of sustainability indicators to measure progress in achieving sustainable development
• Evaluate how to apply the principles of sustainability across a range of sectors of environmental management, climate, energy, transport and economics.

Indicative Module Content:

*Introduction to the Module.
*Introduction to the concept of sustainability, sustainable development and its practical implications
*Understanding natural systems, environmental processes
*Understanding the Anthropocene .
*Measuring SDGs
*Sustainability Planning; National, Local, Regional
*Renewable Energy Planning
*Global Climate Change and Green House Gasses
*IPCC: evidence for climate change and climate action plans
*Green Buildings
*Indoor environmental quality
*Food and Agriculture
*Water: Sources and consumption
*Sustainable Transport Policy and Planning
*Sustainability Economics: Challenges and Economics

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

20
Tutorial

20
Autonomous Student Learning

60
Total

100

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Thus module consists of lectures interspersed with active-based learning in small group tutorials, with key topics of sustainability explored through enquiry and problem based learning approaches. The module also encourages group work and collaboration allowing creative solutions to sustainability challenges to be identified.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Equivalents:
Introduction to Sustainability (GEOG10150)


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): An essay of 1500 words on a selected topic relevant to the course content. Your essay can focus on a case-study, which can be a sub-topic or a place. Week 11 Graded No
25
 No
Exam (Online): Online multiple-choice question (MCQ) exam in Brightspace. Week 12 Other No
40
 No
Participation in Learning Activities: Preparation and participation in tutorials Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 9, Week 10 Graded No
35
 No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback
• Peer review activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback will be given after each tutorial submitted as part of the Contours Assessment. The Essay in Week 9 will re returned and feedback given before the Week 12 End of Trimester MCQ Exam

Name Role
Professor Niamh Moore Cherry Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Lisa Ryan Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Geoff Boyce Tutor
Dr Ankur Sati Tutor
Florence Elfriede Sinthauli Silalahi Tutor

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Mon 14:00 - 14:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1 Thurs 12:00 - 12:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Thurs 12:00 - 12:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 1 Week(s) - 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 Tues 09:00 - 09:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 2 Week(s) - 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 Tues 13:00 - 13:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 3 Week(s) - 3, 6, 7, 9, 10 Wed 11:00 - 11:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 3 Week(s) - 4, 5 Wed 11:00 - 11:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 4 Week(s) - 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 Wed 14:00 - 14:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 5 Week(s) - 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 Thurs 09:00 - 09:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 6 Week(s) - 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 Thurs 13:00 - 13:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 7 Week(s) - 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 Thurs 15:00 - 15:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 8 Week(s) - 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 Fri 10:00 - 10:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 9 Week(s) - 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 Fri 12:00 - 12:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 10 Week(s) - 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 Fri 14:00 - 14:50
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