GV3CTW: Carbon in a Transforming World

Module code: GV3CTW

Module provider: Geography and Environmental Science; School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science

Credits: 20

Level: 6

When you’ll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Sarah Duddigan, email: s.duddigan@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2026/7

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 27 March 2026

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The impact of human activity on the global carbon cycle, and subsequent effect on the climate, is a key environmental issues of our time. This module explores how carbon is stored, cycled, measured, and managed in terrestrial ecosystems under conditions of environmental change. The module examines the global carbon cycle alongside the hydrological and biogeochemical processes that regulate carbon dynamics on land, from soils and vegetation to whole ecosystems. Through case studies, fieldwork, and applied assessments, the module critically evaluates how land-use change, management decisions, and climate pressures reshape carbon storage and influence climate mitigation potential. A strong emphasis is placed on scientific evidence, uncertainty, and decision-making, equipping students to assess carbon-related environmental challenges from both scientific and policy perspectives.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Identify and explain the key components of the global carbon cycle, including links to hydrological and biogeochemical cycles on land.
2. Quantify changes in carbon stores and fluxes on land, including impacts of disturbance and land management.
3. Assess evidence for direct and indirect human impacts on terrestrial carbon cycling.
4. Distinguish between certainties and uncertainties in scientific understanding of carbon and global environmental change, and evaluate their implications for land-use decisions

Module content

The module covers the structure and function of the global carbon cycle, with a focus on terrestrial ecosystems. Topics could include (but are not limited to) carbon pools and fluxes, ecosystem–water–nutrient linkages, disturbance and feedbacks, field and laboratory methods for measuring carbon stocks, and carbon sequestration in managed systems. Students will be given the opportunity to analyse carbon data, explore how land disturbances alters carbon storage over time, and examine the role of uncertainty in interpreting scientific evidence. The module integrates conceptual understanding, quantitative analysis, and applied evaluation of land management options.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching will be delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, fieldwork, laboratory practicals, and computer-based workshops. Lectures introduce key concepts and theoretical frameworks, while seminars focus on discussion, diagrammatic interpretation, and critical evaluation of evidence. A field class and laboratory practical provide hands-on experience of measuring and analysing soil carbon. Computer practical sessions support quantitative analysis and scenario assessment. Assessment workshops and drop-in sessions provide formative feedback and guidance on developing scientific arguments and policy-focused outputs.

Study hours

At least 38 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each calendar day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three calendar days;
• where the piece of work is submitted up to three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in you Individual Learning Plan), the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three calendar days of the deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

Where a piece of work is submitted late after a deadline which has been revised owing to an extension granted through the Assessment Adjustments policy and process (self-certified or otherwise), it will be subject to the maximum penalty (i.e., considered to be more than three calendar days late). This will also apply when such an extension is used in conjunction with a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Students will receive verbal feedback throughout the semester during scaffolded assignment seminars. Students will also be given the opportunity to submit their carbon stock calculations for checking and feedback.

Reassessment

Additional costs