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Environmental Hazards - ENV00041H

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  • Department: Environment and Geography
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: H
  • Academic year of delivery: 2022-23

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Autumn Term 2022-23 to Spring Term 2022-23

Module aims

This module aims to give students a deep understanding of environmental hazards from both a physical and policy point of view. It builds on the material presented in ENV0006c, but this is not a requirement. The lectures will cover the physical, chemical and biological hazards associated with natural disasters.

This modules aims to give the student detailed information on the physical, chemical and biological nature of natural hazards using a number of case studies and background theory. In addition, the module aims to introduce the tools used in industry and government for policy creation (e.g. numerical modelling).

The practical and field trip will put the theoretical knowledge learned during the lectures into practise and show the difficult decisions required when implementing a hazard mitigation policy.

Module learning outcomes

At the end of this module the student would have gained knowledge as follows:

Subject content

  • Geographical hazard processes and mitigation
  • Processes that occur in a policy framework
  • Impact of climate change and future hazard risk
  • Critically evaluation of hazard policy

Academic and graduate skills

  • GIS data available for use in hazards research
  • Quantitative techniques used to study hazards
  • An ability to summarise and criticise current research in hazard assessment
  • Experience of writing scientific technical report

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 50
Online Exam - 24 hrs (Centrally scheduled) 50

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Online Exam - 24 hrs (Centrally scheduled) 100

Module feedback

Standard feedback form in Environment within 4 weeks of hand-in date.

Indicative reading

  • Smith, K., 2013. Environmental Hazards: Assessing Risk and Reducing Disaster, Routledge.
  • Bryant, E., 2005. Natural Hazards, Cambridge University Press


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.