Course Details in 2025/26 Session

Module Title	LI Earth Resources, Environmental Impacts and Sustainability
School	School of Geog Earth & Env Sci
Department	Earth and Environ Sciences
Module Code	03 37689
Module Lead	Jason Hilton
Level	Intermediate Level
Credits	20
Semester	Semester 1
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions	None
Contact Hours	Lecture-18 hours Seminar-9 hours Tutorial-6 hours Practical Classes and workshops-18 hours Guided independent study-149 hours Total: 200 hours
Exclusions
Description	Aims: To provide a fundamental introductory understanding of the principles and practice of resource geology, geophysical exploration and interpretation, environmental impacts of resources and sustainability. Description: The broad, introductory module in resource geology, environmental impacts and sustainability aims to develop themes that underpin exploitation of the Earth’s physical resources, that are central to many graduate careers in geoscience. These themes comprise: • Resources as bulk materials, aggregates: exploration and evaluation using Geographical Information Systems (GIS). • Hydrocarbon systems and application of seismic reflection methods for their exploration and utilization for carbon storage. • Earth’s energy resources: formation and extraction of oil, gas, coal, ground source, nuclear resources. • Igneous ore deposits: formation, exploration using gravity, magnetics and remote sensing. • Surface and hydrothermal ore deposits. • Resource management and remediation. The module also includes training in the production of concise, structured reports developed to professional standards as expected in industry and employment. Practical components are based on real-world scenarios and where possible link to fieldwork modules. The module also provides background contents for specialist modules in applied geology in Year 3 (Level H).
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module students should be able to: Demonstrate an understanding of the principles regulating the distribution of natural resources in a plate tectonic context, and to understand the methods of formation for different natural resources. Evaluate physical resources from geological maps, satellite and geophysical data and identify appropriate extraction and processing techniques for different resources. Understand and apply the techniques used in geographical information systems (GIS) and remote sensing Describe the principals of acquiring remotely measurable geophysical information. Recognise the impacts of the use of Earth’s resources and identify methods for their avoidance, reduction and remediation Understand the principles of sustainable resource use and management and its economic constraints Interpret and integrate geophysical data. Produce reports on to professional standards expected in industry.
Assessment	37689-01 : GIS and Remote Sensing : Coursework (30%) 37689-02 : Seismic Interpretation : Coursework (30%) 37689-03 : Resource Report : Coursework (40%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Assessment: 100% coursework total 3000 words via 3 report style assignments. Reassessment: Same reassessment opportunities as first assessment.
Other
Reading List