Introducing BSc Environmental Geoscience

1. How does the environment work? Environmental geoscience is the study of processes within, and interactions between, the atmosphere, ocean and the solid Earth that determine life on the planet. It studies natural processes that have been modifying the planet over its history, but with a strong focus on understanding the modern system and how it is affected by human activities. Environmental geoscience addresses fundamental questions about the functioning of the Earth system such as: What are the drivers of climate change in the Earth’s past and how will these processes change in the future? What are the impacts of changing nutrient cycling and pollution on the sustainability of marine ecosystems? How can we safely manage the use of energy and materials resources to ensure the continued functioning of modern society?

2. A strong emphasis is placed on field skills, with trips to the Lake District, Jamaica, and north-west Scotland, as well as numerous one-day trips (the location of field courses may change as our course content adapts to changing teaching needs, and student feedback).

3. You will also gain a range of transferable skills, including: written and oral reports; critical analysis and interpretation of data; group working and, as the programme progresses, the ability to manage project work, and research, independently.

4. The vast majority of our graduates move straight into degree-related employment or further study. Our graduates work for energy and resource companies, environmental consultancies and the financial sector, and many also find employment in the areas of environmental planning and regulation, conservation, science communication and education, and engineering.

Source: https://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/undergraduate/degrees/index.php?action=programme&code=F630 (the University of Edinburg)

Words and phrases to remember

interaction	observational skills	course content
to determine	nutrient cycling	to gain
to develop	sustainability	transferable skills
to affect	source	research
impact	to ensure	graduates
to enable	field skills	employment

 

11. Vocabulary. Translate the phrases.

a) To develop observational and analytical skills;

b) To develop and apply new methods;

c) To gain a range of transferable skills;

d) To address fundamental questions about the functioning of the Earth system;

e) To manage the use of energy and materials resources

 

12. Vocabulary. Fill in the gaps with the most appropriate word, (A), (B) or (C).

In many Science and Engineering _____ (1) students spend considerable parts of their time ________ (2) practical or laboratory work. Here the learning is very 'hands on' and classes are designed to allow students to _____ (3) discipline-based skills.

Laboratory and practical classes are an important opportunity for many students to _____ (4) experimentally the concepts and methods introduced in lectures and tutorials.

Depending on the discipline and the topic, specific purposes will vary but they may include:

§ an opportunity to _____ (5) theoretical and conceptual knowledge;

§ development of experimental techniques and approaches;

§ an opportunity to _____ (6) skills in collecting, analysing, interpreting and presenting findings and data;

§ learning how to manage resources (including time);

§ learning how to work more effectively and _____ (7) in a laboratory or in the field.

1. (A) lectures (B) skills (C) courses  

2. (A) making (B) doing (C) carrying

3. (A) develop (B) research (C) study

4. (A) develop (B) research (C) test

5. (A) apply (B) work (C) carry

6. (A) apply (B) improve (C) carry

7. (A) concentrated (B) safely (C) fast

 

Word formation.

	adjective	noun
1	analytical
2	observational
3	applied
4	atmospheric
5	variable
6	scientific
7	theoretical
8	resourceful

 

14. Vocabulary. Look at the extract from WMO’s Guide to the Implementation of

Education and Training Standards in Meteorology and Hydrology. Fill in the gaps.

 

Components of the Basic Instruction Package for Meteorologists are the following.

(a) Foundation ______ (темы) in mathematics and physics plus complementary ______ (предметы) dealing with other ______ (науки) and related topics, and ______ (анализ и применение данных);

 (b) atmospheric ______ (науки):

– Physical meteorology (i.e. ______ (состав атмосферы), radiation and optical/electrical ______ (явления); thermodynamics and cloud physics; boundary-layer meteorology and micrometeorology; conventional ______ (наблюдения) and instrumentation; remote sensing;

– Dynamic meteorology (i.e. atmospheric dynamics; numerical weather ______ (предсказание);

– Synoptic and mesoscale meteorology (i.e. mid-latitude and polar weather systems; tropical weather systems; mesoscale weather systems; weather ______

(наблюдение), ______ (анализ) and diagnosis; weather ______ (прогнозирование); service delivery;

– Climatology (i.e. climates and climate services; climate ______ (изменчивость) and climate change.

Source. WMO https://library.wmo.int/pmb_ged/wmo_1083_en.pdf

 

15. Speaking. Prepare to talk about the university where you study, your faculty and department, your specialization, the courses you study.

 

Unit 2