ES1S202 - Resources and Materials 01 Jul 2022 - 31 Aug 2028 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: ES1S202
Module Title: Resources and Materials
Faculty: Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science
Faculty Group: Applied Sciences
Faculty Sub Group: Earth and Environment
Module Leader: Anthony Harris, Angela Morris
Module Team: Niamh Breslin, Thomas Lambourne, James Cruwys
First Intended Intake: Final Year of Intake:
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 4
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100469 - environmental management 101072 - pollution control 101078 - applied environmental sciences
HECOS Code Weighting: 30 40 30

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Jul 2022
Valid To 31 Aug 2028

Module Aims

This module introduces students to the key natural resources, their use, extraction, sustainability, re-use/recycling, disposal and the circular economy. The aims of this module are to:

Understand the nature of Earth Resources, the processes that have generated them and affected their distribution.

Consider the extraction, use and disposal of resources, together with the processes and impact of these activities.

Introduce the concepts of resource sustainability, re-use/recycling, disposal and the circular economy

In engaging with the module appropriately, students will fully achieve level-appropriate Behaviour Domains of the following USW Graduate Attributes:

Commercial Awareness - Behaviour Domains 1, 2, 3

Communication - Behaviour Domains 1, 2, 3

Leadership - Behaviour Domains 1, 2, 3

Innovation and Enterprise - Behaviour Domains 1, 2, 3

Project Management - Behaviour Domains 1, 2, 3

Digital Literacy - Behaviour Domains 1, 2, 3

The Capabilities associated with these behaviours are found in the Graduate Attributes table at the end of the descriptor.

Content Summary

This module will introduce students to the key natural resources, their extraction, use, sustainability, re-use/recycling, disposal and the circular economy.

Formation and sources of natural resources; water, soil, construction materials, minerals and metals, hydrocarbons.

Mineral resources, their extraction and utilisation, mineral processing, industrial processing and material science.

Soils. Soil health measurement and sustainable agriculture. Soil waste, reuse and codes of practice.

Global issues around water and groundwater resources, including sources and management. Case studies. Introduction to water treatment and sewage treatment. Impacts of sewage discharges.

Finally, students will also be introduced to ideas around reuse and recycling; product design, recycling and separation technologies, together with waste disposal and management.

Students will also be presented with ideas around managing natural resources.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 35
Practical classes and workshops 5
External visits 8
Independent Study 152
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Characterise and explain key earth resources including impacts of use.
LO2 Assess the impacts of waste and the importance of careful management of resource use and disposal.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Report 1 Extraction and careful management of a chosen natural resource 0 2000 50 No 40
Synchronous Online Assessment Classroom Test - Time Constrained (Online) 1 Online multi choice covering entire syllabus 60 N/A 50 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Report 1
Classroom Test - Time Constrained (Online) 1

Reading List

Albiac, J., and Dinar, A., 2009. Policy and Strategic Behaviour in Water Resource Management. London: Earthscan.

Haggar, S. 2007. Sustainable Industrial Design and Waste Management Cradle-to-Cradle for Sustainable Development. Amsterdam: Elsevier Academic Press.

Huang, P. M., Li, Y., and Sumner, M.E., 2011. Handbook of Soil Sciences. Boca Raton: Taylor & Francis Group.

Kreith, F., and Tchobanoglous, G., 2002. Handbook of Solid Waste Management. 2nd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill.

Mysiak, J., 2010. The Adaptive Water Resource Management Handbook. London: Earthscan.

Parra, C., Lewis, B. & Ali, S.H. 2021. Mining, materials and the sustainable development goals, 2030 and beyond. CRC Press.

Prasad, M.N.V., Vithanage, M. & Borthakur, A. 2019. Handbook of electronic waste management. Elsevier

Randive, K.R., Pingle, S. & Agnihotri, A. 2021. Innovations in Sustainable Mining. Springer Nature.

Sullivan, P., Agardy, F.J., and Clark, J., 2005. The Environmental Science of Drinking Water. Oxford: Elsevier Science & Technology.