GG4245 Biogeography and the Earth System

Academic year

2025 to 2026 Semester 1

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 10

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Numbers will be restricted using a ballot to limit the class size to 25.

Planned timetable

Mon 10am-1pm

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr I T Lawson

Dr I T Lawson
This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr Ian Lawson

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

Planet Earth appears to be unique as the home of life. Biological processes are deeply woven into the fabric of the physical world and human societies. The resulting interactions, at every scale from microscopic to global, are fundamental to the geography of our planet. This module explores the discipline of biogeography, which aims to describe and explain the distribution of different life forms (species, communities) across the Earth. In lectures, seminars, and in the field, we will first investigate the fundamental controls on the distribution of life and engage with ongoing debates. The module then considers the role of biology in the Earth system as a whole, focusing on the cycling of key elements including carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus – the behaviour of which has huge ramifications for society today. Finally, using examples from around the globe, we will look at biogeographical changes in the Anthropocene, and consider the challenges for conservation and development.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS GG2011 AND PASS GG2012 OR PASS SD2001 AND PASS SD2002 OR PASS GG2013 AND PASS GG2014 AND PASS SD2100 OR PASS SD2005 AND PASS SD2006 AND PASS SD2100

Anti-requisites

YOU CANNOT TAKE THIS MODULE IF YOU PASS GG3272 OR TAKE GG3272

Assessment pattern

100% coursework

Re-assessment

100% coursework

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

1 hour lecture and 2 hour seminar/practical class (X9 weeks), 5 hour field class (X1 week)

Scheduled learning hours

32

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

270

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Read primary biogeographical literature and place it into a theoretical framework
  • Describe and explain global and regional patterns of terrestrial biogeography
  • Understand how human activities influence biogeographical patterns and processes
  • Appreciate a range of views about how biogeographical knowledge could and/or should be used, for example in conservation and environmental management
  • Understand how biogeographical knowledge and understanding are produced, in part through hands-on experience in the lab and field