Thinking about my options...

I am very excited about going back to full time study next year. Consequently I find myself visiting the course website when I have 10 minutes downtime! I've been thinking about the modules on offer and where I'd like to go in terms of research interests. I'm settling on the following:

Core Modules

Global Climate and Environmental Change
This module analyses the climate change debate and its scientific basis, with regional case studies of environmental change and its feedbacks to climate change. Students learn about palaeoenvironmental and contemporary climate and environmental change and how physical geography techniques can help quantify and understand these changes. Students learn how to work with climate data and simple models, to analyse the potential impacts of environmental change on a range of sectors including agriculture, forestry, water resources and human health, and discuss potential mitigation and adaptation options.


The Changing Water Cycle
This new module draws on the innovative work ongoing in the Department’s new flagship Centre for Landscape and Climate Research to examine critical
issues pertaining to ecohydrological processes in the landscape and the impacts of human land use and global climate change therein. Methodological (including modelling) and policy issues are also explored with reference to spatial ecohydrology.


Research Design and Methods in Geography
Focuses on the acquisition of skills for formulating research proposals, literature reviews, data collection and the communication of research ideas. Prepares for a successful dissertation.

Optional Modules

Water Quality Processes and Management

This module examines the principal natural and anthropogenic factors controlling the quality of surface and groundwater systems. A core objective is to facilitate an understanding of process as a key to establishing effective and sustainable water quality management strategies.

Ecological and Environmental Assessment

This module introduces students to practical ecological (e.g. phase one habitat) survey skills, environmental risk and impact assessment techniques, in the context of UK legislative/planning requirements.

Biodiversity Conservation and Global Change: Tropical East Africa (field trip)

You will learn about East African geology, landscapes and ecosystems, and the extent and nature of human interactions within them over the past 50,000 years up to the 21st century. You will learn to understand the ecological principles which underpin the ecology of tropical savannahs, forests, freshwaters and alkaline waters. This knowledge will be integrated into sustainable management plans, which incorporate indigenous livelihoods. The module will take place for ten field days in late April/ early May, at locations in the Rift Valley Kenya. It will be largely under canvas, in a safari camp that is already maintained by the Department of Biology for its Rift Valley Lakes research.

Sustainable Management of Biological Resources: Ecosystem and Biodiversity Conservation

This module examines biological resources and the various approaches to biodiversity evaluation. The principal factors involved in decline and loss of biological diversity are analysed and the biological and ecological principles underlying conservation and management explored. The module also emphasises the essential role of ecosystem services in supporting human livelihoods and the ways in which our societies must adjust lifestyles to ensure the sustainable maintenance of these services.

I will probably change my mind though!