The Restless World: Environmental Hazards, Risks and Disasters (F8508S)

15 credits, Level 5

Spring teaching

This interdisciplinary module introduces the environmental hazards, risks and disasters associated with Earth’s restless natural and human systems. Topics covered include:

  • floods and droughts
  • earthquakes and tsunamis
  • storms
  • mass movement
  • wildfires
  • biological hazards
  • volcanic eruptions
  • climate change
  • sea-level rise.

The module includes a case study about sensitive regions of Earth’s cryosphere (ice sheets and glaciers, sea ice, permafrost, snow), before concluding with an evaluation of extraterrestrial hazards (such as impact cratering, solar storms). In each topic, we’ll introduce the physical processes and environmental context, before considering their consequences on built and natural environments, and particularly on human societies.

Teaching

81%: Lecture
19%: Practical (Practical, Workshop)

Assessment

100%: Examination (Computer-based examination, Problem set)

Contact hours and workload

This module is approximately 150 hours of work. This breaks down into about 27 hours of contact time and about 123 hours of independent study. The 5X社区视频 may make minor variations to the contact hours for operational reasons, including timetabling requirements.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We鈥檙e planning to run these modules in the academic year 2026/27. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum.

We鈥檒l make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.

Courses

This module is offered on the following courses: