MGeog
Physical Geography

Module Overview

This module examines the theory and philosophy of geographical research together with the practical elements of carrying out research in key areas of human and physical geography. The module explores the theoretical background to undertaking research and considers how different theoretical positions inform research methods and interpretation of data in practice. Teaching also provides a series of introductions to methodological techniques for environmental data collection, analysis and interpretation that can be applied to topical and pressing research problems in human and physical geography.

Module Overview

Human influences on the environment can be seen almost everywhere on our planet, from the deepest ocean trenches to the peaks of the Himalayas and out beyond the stratosphere. This module introduces students to a wide range of human-caused environmental issues facing the world today, using a range of global and regional case studies. Students will explore their causes and consequences, as well as potential responses to them, and develop skills in communicating these critical issues to different audiences using different techniques.

Module Overview

Human influences on the environment can be seen almost everywhere on our planet, from the deepest ocean trenches to the peaks of the Himalayas and out beyond the stratosphere. This module introduces students to a wide range of human-caused environmental issues facing the world today, using a range of global and regional case studies. Students will explore their causes and consequences, as well as potential responses to them, and develop skills in communicating these critical issues to different audiences using different techniques.

Module Overview

This module will introduce students to the applications of GIS and Remote Sensing in supporting evidence-based decisions for sustainable landscape. Students will learn how spatial data is obtained, processed, analysed, and visualized to address real-world problems such as identifying crime hotspots, resources allocation, environmental and ecosystem monitoring and change detection. The module will combine lectures with hands-on practical sessions using industry-standard software such as ArcGIS Pro and QGIS. The theoretical foundations from lectures will enable students to critically interpret spatial data and communicate findings effectively through maps and reports. By exploring a range of GIS and remote sensing techniques, students will develop transferable skills useful for addressing a range of environmental issues.

Module Overview

This module builds on the foundational knowledge developed in the The Earth System: Processes & Hazards, extending students’ understanding of Earth’s weather, climate and environmental systems at global, regional, and local scales, both in the past and present. It examines the processes and interactions that shape these systems, focusing on the major Earth spheres (e.g., atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, lithosphere) and how their interactions regulate environmental change.

Module Overview

This module introduces the key concepts of biogeography, conservation, and planetary health. The aim of the module is to develop students’ understanding of the drivers of the impacts of climatic- and human-induced changes on the distribution and functioning of biomes and ecosystems, evaluate how these can be managed and mitigated, and explore and challenge dominant perspectives on conservation theories and practice. The module consists of four broad themes: planetary change; key contemporary issues for ecosystems; biogeographical techniques and mitigation and restoration.

Module Overview

Modern societal development has created new exposures and risks to such hazards that are not fully understood, or may be perceived in different ways – even within the same community. Such vulnerabilities are often only brought into view in the aftermath of a disaster, when losses of life, capital and livelihoods have already occurred, making it vital to assess the physical and social dimensions of hazards in order to increase preparedness. This module is focused around a field-week that will explore the theme of hazards and their relationship to society from both an environmental and human standpoint. This interdisciplinary perspective on hazards and society will offer new insights into the challenges facing contemporary societies in a specific region, while also providing insight into the opportunities offered by geographical research.

Module Overview

The School believes that an option to study overseas is a valuable educational opportunity for our students. Provision of this option supports the educational aims of the School of Geography and enhances the distinctiveness of its degrees at Lincoln. The optional year is intended to:

- enable students to benefit from studying within a cross cultural environment;

- expose students to a wider academic and cultural experience;

- enhance their future employment opportunities;

- by increasing their cultural and professional mobility.

This module is optional for students within the School. Study Abroad is a year long module which enables students to spend a year studying abroad at one of the University’s approved partner institutions. Eligible students must have completed their second year of study to a satisfactory standard and successfully completed the application process for the year abroad.

During the year spent abroad, students share classes with local students and study on a suite of locally-delivered taught modules which have been approved in advance by the University. Upon their return, as part of the assessment for this modules, students are required to critically reflect upon their experience of living and studying in a different cultural environment and the skills acquired.

Module Overview

In this module students will ‘trace’ how particular past socio-environmental phenomena interrelate and have shaped and continue to shape present and future global socio-environmental realities. This includes exploring social and environmental events, how these have been experienced and responded to by different people and what the legacies of this are. Case studies are drawn from a range of geographical and temporal settings to facilitate an analytical and comparative view of human-environment interactions, while grounding in historical-social process will ensure that students gain an understanding of the importance of context, social actors and human agency. Critical consideration of how debates and research regarding past socio-environmental changes can be applied to social and environmental challenges today will provide an added dimension of societal relevance.

Module Overview

This module will give students an advanced understanding of (1) catchment hydrology, including ecohydrology, and hydrological responses of catchments to climate and land use changes, with an emphasis on global challenges of water resources management, and (2) theoretical background of fluvial geomorphology and morphodynamics, including river and flood management strategies. The first part of the module covers global hydrology, including consideration of the physical characteristics of rivers and their geographical variation, and related aspects of river-catchment science and the role of the water resources in the wider environmental system. The second part focuses on the geomorphology of catchment and river systems, and the expected changes that river ecosystems are likely to experience under the influence of direct anthropogenic perturbations and global change.

Module Overview

This module examines the physical, social and political causes, characteristics and consequences of natural and anthropogenic climate change. These key themes will be explored in terms of how societies and the natural world have responded to the physical processes and impacts of climate. We will: explore the physical processes related to natural and anthropogenic climate change and scientific interpretation of these processes; assess the impacts of climate change on a range of human and environmental systems; examine societal, political and policy responses to climate change at different geographical scales; and critically examine how the relationship between the physical environment and societal responses have evolved (and are evolving) with respect to climate change.

Module Overview

This module examines a range of interdisciplinary environmental management techniques that are used to address critical environmental, human and planetary health issues. Students will gain an understanding of the most appropriate techniques and solutions using a range of global, regional and local environmental case studies. There is a strong emphasis on practice-based skills with guest lectures from practitioners in the field, practical and seminar classes. An innovative assessment will give students the opportunity to be involved in actively influencing sustainable behaviour in the younger generation and giving them a chance to become the ‘teacher’. This approach is especially useful in the third year as it exposes students to a wide range of career options in environmental science management and policy/regulation.

Module Overview

The Dissertation is an extended piece of original research work on a geographical topic of the students choice that is carried out under the guidance of a staff mentor. It allows the drawing together and building on skills and subject expertise you have developed through a students time at University. Students will be expected to either collect original material for investigation and/or to carry out original analysis of secondary data. Allocated supervisors will guide and advise in this work but students are expected to take the lead in developing ideas and research plans.

Module Overview

This module will consider human-caused environmental change that affects a substantial part of the globe and biological systems. Biological responses to these human induced changes will be considered in terms of how organisms, species and communities may acclimatize, adapt or change. Specifically, we will consider how organisms can respond genetically and phenotypically, and how and why communities may change in their species and functional composition. After consolidating understanding of the causes of, and biological responses to, global change, we will consider what these impacts mean for ecosystem structure and function, the development of novel ecosystems, and approaches for conservation and ecosystem management under global change. This module will cover a range of differing causes of global change e.g. biological invasions or urbanisation, but content will be flexible to remain relevant to current and emerging challenges.

Module Overview

This module puts into practice the knowledge gained in the first and second year Geography modules, and – by focusing on the physical and human processes that have shaped the environment and will influence future change – it provides first-hand experience of process interpretation and understanding in an unfamiliar setting. The module allows students to work within a unique range of overseas environments and carry out a range of activities and studies that result in the design, implementation and production of a research coursework based on student-led fieldwork. Introductory lecture sessions will take place prior to fieldwork. Knowledge and understanding on the actual field class will be gained via enquiry-based learning, followed by group/individual data collection and follow-up analysis. Follow-up sessions will facilitate analysis and discussion of research findings. Transferable and group field and problem-solving skills gained in a largely unfamiliar setting will be invaluable for the workplace.

Module Overview

The semester-long placement module requires students to carry out a specific project for an external organisation. The project is agreed between the host organisation, the module leader and the student prior to the commencement of the placement. The student develops a specific project task to address a particular requirement of the host organisation. This might include consultancy research, analytical research, public engagement or the development of a new teaching class/activity. The methods used, results, interpretation, recommendations and evaluation of the project are presented in the form of a professional report and a poster.

Module Overview

The environment, its resources, its use, and its degradation are both shaped by and are drivers of unequal power relations at global, regional and local scales. Following, conservation, exploitation and development of planetary natures – including human – underpins many contemporary crises: ecological, climate, economic, geopolitical conflicts and violence, displacement and inequality. The vibrant interdisciplinary field of Political Ecology aims to assess and interpret the politics shaping socio-ecological relations, applying critical analyses to topics spanning forestry, water and mineral extraction to urbanization, development and technology, plus many others.

Module Overview

This module will introduce students to advanced GIS (Geographical Information Systems) techniques which can be used to understand these relationships between humans and the environment across different time scales. Students will be trained to use research-grade tools, such as ecological models, machine learning and the R coding environment, to address key environmental questions. Activities will be closely linked to published journal articles, and students will be encouraged to reflect critically on models’ strengths and weaknesses for shedding light on Anthropocene environments. The module will also highlight the ethical (e.g. as coding companions) and unethical (e.g. writing reports) ways in which AI (Artificial Intelligence) tools can be used in environmental research.

Module Overview

Students will undertake a substantial applied research project in collaboration with an external organisation or University research group. Using their advanced research skills developed throughout their degree, students will develop and deliver a specific project task to address a particular requirement of the host organisation. Projects may involve analytical research, consultancy reporting, public engagement activities, or the development of teaching and learning resources, depending on the requirements of the host organisation. Students will use advanced disciplinary methods to produce evidence-based outputs. The project’s methods, findings, interpretations, and recommendations will be submitted via a report in a format agreed between the student, employer, and module leader, and an accompanying poster.

Module Overview

The project affords students the opportunity to undertake an independent programme of research under guidance and supervision by an individual or small team of academic staff. A wide range of expertise exists within the School, and students will be provided with an opportunity to develop the project guided by their research interests, supported by members of staff. Students’ results will be submitted for assessment in the form of a written report produced to the exacting standards of academic scientific writing.