University teaching

'Introducing Environment' - The Open University

Environmental concerns often appear in the news, and it can be difficult to tell what matters, or what choice we have. Focusing upon scientific and technological aspects of the environment, this course David tutors on considers the effects of human activities, such as farming. Topics include the biology of ecosystems and food chains, biodiversity, ecological sustainability and fossil fuels. The course equips students with some important concepts.

Effective Learning Tutor - University of Glasgow and University of the West of Scotland

As Effective Learning Tutor, David provides study skills support to students so that they can demonstrate their grasp of subject knowledge to the best of their abilities. David advises on essay writing, presentation skills, exam and revision technique, etc. Sometimes this is in the form of one-to-one sessions with individual students, sometimes it involves David taking a class on a particular course and running workshop sessions on skills the course tutor has identified their students could benefit from.

'Environmental Uncertainty' - University of Glasgow

David was the course leader for this degree course on the Crichton campus which contributed to the MA in Environmental Sustainability. The course examined the science, including the uncertainties, behind global environmental issues such as global warming, acid rain, ozone depletion, habitat degradation, water scarcity and biodiversity loss. As well gaining a fuller understanding of these extremely important issues students examined how they interact with each other and pose major challenges which are becoming more and more pressing. The course also looked at the gaps in our knowledge and the limitations of environmental science which make it difficult for us to be confident in our predictions for the future. By the end of the course students were able to critically assess, and debate, global environmental issues and be appreciative of the difficulties in studying them.

'Energy: Options for Sustainability' - University of Glasgow

Until 2008 David was the course leader for this 2nd year degree course on the Crichton campus which contributed to the MA in Environmental Sustainability. The course examined the issues facing energy production and use, and the political responses to these issues. The course also looked at a number of energy options and evaluated their feasibility.