Modules | Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences Intranet

MODULE TITLE	Mathematics of Sustainability	CREDIT VALUE	15
MODULE CODE	ECMM911	MODULE CONVENER	Dr Markus Mueller (Coordinator)

DURATION: TERM	1	2	3
DURATION: WEEKS	11	0	0

Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated)	5

DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

Environmental processes are continuously affected by human society which in return affects environmental processes. It is therefore important to develop approaches that lead to a sustainable interaction of humans and nature. In this module you will learn about quantitative approaches in environmental and sustainability science and how they can be used to enable processes that impact less on the environment. Your study will focus on three themes: life cycle analysis, sustainable resource management and limits to growth.

AIMS - intentions of the module

The aim of this module is to develop your understanding of the mathematical theory and its application to scientific problems concerning the environment and sustainable development. You will explore a variety of modelling approaches and methodologies around three themes covering environmental impact assessment of products and services, management of renewable resources, and limits to growth modelling.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge

1. Understand methods employed in the analysis of impact on the environment;

2. Develop models for sustainable management;

3. Use theory to draw conclusions about dynamically changing environments;

4. Use theory to draw conclusions about human-nature interactions;

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge

5. Comprehend mathematical methods to analyse physical and environmental processes;

6. Demonstrate knowledge of the fundamental concepts in analysing systems of human-nature interaction;

Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge

7. Formulate and solve problems;

8. Communicate reasoning and solutions effectively verbally and in writing;

9. Demonstrate appropriate use of learning resources;

10. Demonstrate self-management and time-management skills.

SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module

The aim is to make sure the course content remains current and applicable to modern day environmental and sustainability science. The specific approaches and topics may vary over time. Each approach will be covered in three-week blocks in which a methodology and underpinning theory is first introduced and then analysed and applied through mini-project based work. Topics to be covered include:

- life cycle analysis;

- sustainable resource management;

- limits to growth.

LEARNING AND TEACHING

LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities	38.00	Guided Independent Study	112.00	Placement / Study Abroad	0.00

DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities	11	Formal lectures
Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities	3	Student-led presentations
Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities	24	Computer-based modeling workshops
Guided Independent Study	112	Lecture & assessment preparation, computing, wider reading

ASSESSMENT

FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade

Form of Assessment	Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length)	ILOs Assessed	Feedback Method
Workshops, 1 per approach	3 workshops	1-10	Written and oral

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)

Coursework	0	Written Exams	100	Practical Exams	0

DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT

Form of Assessment	% of Credit	Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length)	ILOs Assessed	Feedback Method
Coursework	3x30	Written report, worksheet or interactive presentation (web page, video, app, pod cast or “mark-up” document, etc.) for each topic	1-10	Written and oral
Presentation	10	Oral presentation about one topic	1-10	Written and oral

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)

Original Form of Assessment	Form of Re-assessment	ILOs Re-assessed	Time Scale for Re-assessment
Coursework	Synthesis report (3000 words or equivalent)	1-10	Submit by end of August

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES

If a module is normally assessed entirely by coursework, all referred/deferred assessments will normally be by assignment.

If a module is normally assessed by examination or examination plus coursework, referred and deferred assessment will normally be by examination. For referrals, only the examination will count, a mark of 40% being awarded if the examination is passed. For deferrals, candidates will be awarded the higher of the deferred examination mark or the deferred examination mark combined with the original coursework mark.

RESOURCES

INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener

ELE: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk

Reading list for this module:

Type	Author	Title	Publisher	Year	ISBN	Search
Set	Roe J., deForest R. and Jamshidi S.	Mathematics for Sustainability	Springer	2018	978-3319766607	[Library]
Set	Meadows D.H., Randers J. and Meadows D.L.	The Limits to Growth: The 30-year Update	Routledge	2004	978-1844071449	[Library]
Set	Deffeyes, K.S.	Beyond Oil: The View from Hubbert's Peak	Hill & Wang	2006	978-0809029570	[Library]

CREDIT VALUE	15	ECTS VALUE	7.5

PRE-REQUISITE MODULES	None
CO-REQUISITE MODULES	None

NQF LEVEL (FHEQ)	7	AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING	No
ORIGIN DATE	Friday 12 July 2019	LAST REVISION DATE	Wednesday 18 January 2023

KEY WORDS SEARCH	Environmental science, sustainability science, life cycle analysis, management strategies.

ECMM911 - Mathematics of Sustainability (2023)