Undergraduate Course: Sustainable Futures in Biological and Environmental Sciences (LLLL08001)
Course Outline
| School | Centre for Open Learning |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 8 (Year 2 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
| Summary | Are you passionate about interactions between humans and the natural world? Are you concerned about our impact on the planet? Our world is suffering from rapid climate change; overexploitation of natural resources and the degradation of habitats. This course will introduce you to some of the greatest challenges facing our planet, and to opportunities to meet these challenges. Biologists study all life forms on Earth and are interested in how these are impacted by human activities. Environmental scientists study physical, chemical and biological processes to understand the natural environment and how it is changing. It is vital that biologists and environmental scientists work together to manage changing environments for a more sustainable future. |
| Course description |
The course is divided into 3 parts: (i) an overall introduction to current issues of environmental pollution and human health impacts; (ii) an exploration of some of the key approaches to minimise impacts upon the environment and upon human health, and (iii) a group mini-project to delve deeper into a biological methods for remediation and recycling. The introduction will look at historical and contemporary environmental pollutants and the associated range of impacts these can have upon human health. It will link the current decarbonisation strategy to increased pressures to develop technology-critical new materials and the consequences this may have for environmental pollution and health. Having set the context, the course delves deeper into use of physical, chemical and biological methods to remediate contaminated sites. It will introduce biosynthetic methods and how these can be used for recovery and recycling of technology-critical elements. The final phase of the course will be devoted to a group mini-project giving a taster of research in these areas (using remediation, recovery and recycling for a sustainable future). Students interested in this course may also be interested in Sustainable Futures in Energy which can be taken in following years.
The course will consist of a lecture session on environmental pollution with integrated, interactive case studies about historical pollution and health impacts. This will be linked to two visits: (i) historical chromium pollution in Glasgow and the new recreational and geoenergy spaces that have been built on remediated land; (ii) legacy mining contamination (metals) that is currently impacting a local river in Edinburgh. Samples collected at the latter will then be analysed during a laboratory session. A second lecture session will focus on contemporary pollution arising from current decarbonisation of our society and will link to the project work on lithium ion batteries (metals and plastics wastes). Laboratory sessions will give a hands-on introduction to biological methods (micro-pipettes, microscopes, and UV plate readers) that are used by researchers. Students will learn about how these methods are used in a number of different applications. Students will also have one session to bring together what they have learned into their mini-project which they will then present in poster format in the final session. One session will be devoted to introducing you to concepts in Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI). RRI explores the ways in which a piece of research can contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), while also surfacing other important issues in areas such as diversity and inclusion. You will be asked to reflect upon how your mini-project work aligns with RRI.
The course has been designed to offer you a variety of different styles of learning which reflect the fact that the desired Learning Outcomes are not simply focused on the detailed technical information content, but rather, should develop your academic and communication skills more widely. You will engage in lectures, which will be followed up by group explorations of extension topics, with group findings shared with your peers via (electronic) poster sessions and discussion. The group mini-project will offer you the opportunity to work with active scientists for a taster of research in these areas, including planning and communication. The course includes short field trips which will allow you to see some real examples of some of the topics explored in the classroom (as well as offering a break from the classroom setting!). The course teaching staff include senior academics expert in their discipline areas.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Research and discuss issues in ecology and environmental science.
- Apply knowledge to field and/or laboratory experiences, with appreciation of uncertainties.
- Employ critical approaches when evaluating different information sources.
- Plan, carry out and report on a novel investigation of a topic of current interest.
- Apply concepts and tools of Responsible Research and Innovation to a new research project.
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Reading List
Recommended reading:
These are only recommendations, not requirements.
The Pollution Problem | Saving Earth | Encyclopaedia Britannica ¿ https://www.britannica.com/explore/savingearth/pollutionoverview gives a useful short overview / introduction.
Understanding Environmental Pollution, Marquita Hill 4th Edition 2020 (https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108395021) |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Ability to gather, organise information and data
Critical thinking
Ability to develop arguments
Group working skills
Ability to communicate in a clear and well-structured way
Ability to apply reflective practice to learning and experiences |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Angus Miller
Tel:
Email: Angus.Miller@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mr John Ethcuit
Tel: (0131 6)50 3409
Email: jethcuit@exseed.ed.ac.uk |
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