Module ENS-2104:
Natural Hazards
Natural Hazards 2025-26
ENS-2104
2025-26
School of Environmental & Natural Sciences
Module - Semester 1
20 credits
Module Organiser:
Lynda Yorke
Overview
Geohazards are omnipresent in our world and are an ever-present threat to our economic and social well-being. Understanding natural hazards requires an interdisciplinary approach because the subject lies at the nexus of the natural and social sciences. The module will draw upon interdisciplinary research to explore the key concepts of hazard, risk, vulnerability, and resilience. The module will explore the mechanisms of key natural hazards (geophysical, hydrometeorological) through a series of case studies, alongside the impacts and physical mitigation of those hazards.
Topics may include:
History and development of disaster studies in Geography;
Vulnerability, Resilience, and Risk;
Disaster Effects and Impacts;
Types of Hazards and Case Studies;
Mitigation and Preparedness.
Assessment Strategy
-threshold -Grade D- to D+ Written report/answers or oral presentation provide basic factual information, but lack depth and detail.
-good -Grade C- to B+ Written report/answers or oral presentation provide most of the relevant factual information and include examples to illustrate particular points.
-excellent -Grade A- and above Written report/answers or oral presentation provide all of the relevant factual information as well as discussion based on wider reading and highly-developed conceptual awareness.
Learning Outcomes
- Ability to evaluate the processes that lead to the occurrence of natural hazards and disasters, and to explain effective mitigation strategies.
- Ability to synthesise information from a variety of sources (on-line and traditional) that is underpinned by subject accuracy.
- Analyse the impacts of natural hazards and disasters on society.
- Explain the key concepts and scientific methods used to investigate and monitor natural hazards
Assessment method
Group Presentation
Assessment type
Summative
Description
Group Presentation: this can take the form of a traditional oral talk, a vodcast or a podcast. It will be focused on a real-World, local issue that will be explored via the in-course field visits. This group presentation will test your ability to work effectively as a group, project management and negotiation skills, and the ability to come up with a solutions-based answer to a real problem. There will be a group mark for the piece of work, i,e, the same mark for all students in the group. Groups may comprise 2, 3 or 4 students only.
Weighting
20%
Assessment method
Class Test
Assessment type
Summative
Description
This will be deployed via Blackboard, and will comprise mutliple choice and/or short-answer questions. This online test will assess your knowledge and understanding, and your ability to interpret and critically evaluate a range of lecture, web-based and background reading materials.
Weighting
15%
Assessment method
Report
Assessment type
Summative
Description
The assessment is focused on producing an individual report based on a real-world (global) problem. This will be associated with the in-course virtual field trip, and allied workshops. This report will assess your knowledge and understanding of a problem, and your ability to undertake research and critically evaluate a range of web-based material and research articles related to aspects of natural hazard management and mitigation. Your report should be no more than 2,000 words, +/- the university's 10% rule.
Weighting
65%