Global warming. Increasing storms. Water scarcity. Collapsing ice sheets. Tsunamis. Shrinking rainforests. The world around us is changing rapidly, presenting human society with pressing challenges. Geographers therefore need to have fundamental knowledge about how the Earth system operates. Yet in its own right, the natural world is a fascinating system to understand: a dynamic planet consisting of different spheres (atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, biosphere) that interact and feedback between one another, producing the amazing array of landscapes we see on Earth. In this course learn why the world looks and behaves like it does, and develop the underlying scientific knowledge that is required to understand many contemporary issues facing humankind.

The module is an introductory course, providing an understanding of the fundamental physical systems and processes that shape the world we live in. Yet the course also stresses complexity, uncertainty, and the importance of rigorous natural science. The course is structured around six main components of the Earth system - the atmosphere, the oceans, hydrology, the cryosphere, the geosphere, and the biosphere – stressing the feedbacks between these systems. Along the way, contemporary issues such as climate change, environmental degradation, water scarcity, carbon sequestration and natural hazards are illustrated and discussed. The human impact on, and response to, the physical world is also discussed.

The course revolves around introducing core knowledge each week through Term One. These key concepts are discussed and illustrated with case studies in class material. Students are expected to consult targeted reading lists for each topic to extend and enhance their understanding on the principles outlined in class. Web-based problem sets and help sessions develop numerical skills, and provide real-world context.  Students are encouraged to consult a range of texts; specific articles are also recommended in topic-specific reading lists.

Transferable skills: Critical thinking: ability to assess data and ideas; Time management: organisation and planning of work; Problem-solving skills; Statistical analysis and numerical skills (Excel)”