Environmental Data for Sustainable Development
Overview
- Credit value: 30 credits at Level 5
- Convenor: Dr Aideen Foley
- Assessment: a short video presentation (30%) and 2000-word data storytelling assignment (70%)
Module description
In this module you will learn about the science underpinning several of the sustainable development goals most closely aligned with the environment. You will apply key theoretical concepts to different sustainability topics of concern week by week, finishing with an examination of the wider economic and ethical perspectives on the environmental challenges encountered. Topics will include:
- Climate change
- Oceans
- Freshwater
- Agriculture
- Biodiversity
- Urban environments
Field and laboratory experience
You will attend two one-day non-residential field trips.
Learning objectives
By the end of the module, you should be able to:
- explain key environmental processes relevant to sustainable development goals
- discuss environmental, economic and ethical perspectives on sustainable development
- demonstrate collection of primary data and analysis of secondary data that can support identification of environmental problems and monitor progress towards SDGs.
Skills development
- Science communication
- Verbal presentations
- Field measurement of environmental data
- Safe execution of field analyses
- Statistical analysis of large environmental datasets