121-171 Environmental Change

Formerly available as 121-012. Students who have completed 121-012 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

This subject is an introduction to the discipline of geography, both physical geography and human geography, and to a major in environmental studies. The subject examines global and regional patterns of natural and human-induced changes in the environment, together with their consequences for human societies. Topics include global patterns in climate, hydrology and water resources, the evolution of different sorts of landscapes, and the social bases of and links to environmental change. Principles are applied to highlight problems in environmental management, such as irrigation and salinisation, sustainable harvesting of forests, and urban runoff. Students should develop skills such as map use and interpretation of satellite photographs, the ability to argue and the presentation and interpretation of data. By the end of the subject students should have an understanding of the complexity that underlies most environmental problems.

A 2-hour examination, and written work totalling 2000 words, which consists of a major essay, a field report and continuously assessed practical work.