Programme Specification and Curriculum Map for MSc/PgDip Environmental Pollution Control

Transcription

1 Programme Specification and Curriculum Map for MSc/PgDip Environmental Pollution Control 1. Programme title Environmental Pollution Control 2. Awarding institution Middlesex University 3. Teaching institution Middlesex University 4. Programme accredited by Institution of Environmental Sciences 5. Final qualification MSc/PgDip 6. Academic year Language of study English 8. Mode of study 1-year full-time or 2-year part-time 9. Criteria for admission to the programme Applications are welcome from candidates with a good honours degree (2:2 or above) or equivalent qualification in a relevant branch of science or engineering; a diploma in Environmental Health together with work experience in the field. Applicants with other relevant qualifications and/or substantial work experience in the field of environmental impact assessment or pollution control will also be considered. Overseas candidates are required to attain minimum either: IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL Aims of the programme In planning this course, we have sought to develop a practical, integrated approach to environmental pollution, bringing together different disciplines in addressing the range of issues. The course is designed to support a programme of continuous self development for students and to be an integral part of their life-long learning plan. The ability to undertake case study analysis based on real issues emphasises the requirement to develop skills in managing and delivering change in integrating diverse disciplines. Thus, we aim not only to equip our students with the technical skills that they require, but enable them to identify areas where these skills can make a real difference. In a broad sense, this programme aims to: provide an intellectual challenge to develop skills and personal qualities to promote self confidence in their field of environmental study; enable students to assess and evaluate environmental problems and propose appropriate environmental solutions; facilitate students in reaching their maximum potential through the provision of an appropriate level of academic and pastoral support to meet academic and professional learning outcomes;

2 provide a professional training to enable students to respond to present and future environmental needs at local, national (international for MSc) level; encourage autonomous learning skills and a commitment to life- long learning within their professional field, including reflective practice in the learner. More specifically, this programme aims to: impart advance knowledge in assessing and evaluating the environmental and health risks of pollution; facilitate students in developing skills to evaluate critically ethical, economic and political aspects of pollution; train students to the professional standards that qualify them for an Associate membership a the Institute of Environmental Sciences; or higher membership with appropriate work experience; equip students with skills to apply and integrated approach to pollution control; provide advanced knowledge and training in the management of technology and its implication for the environment; develop advanced understanding of the biochemical and biological/bacteriological processes involved in water pollution; impart theoretical and practical knowledge of the engineering principles and engineering design available for pollution control; develop the ability to evaluate the planning, legal and management aspects of water pollution and its control, and of water resource conservation; provide research experience and expertise in a specific area of water pollution control by means of an experimental project, which forms a major part of the course; equip students with skills to extrapolate and inter-relate theory and practice with regard to the scientific principles, methods and technologies; train the students to communicate with specialists and non-specialists involved in water pollution and its control, linked to the communication of ideas developed during the research project module. 11. Programme outcomes A. Knowledge and understanding On completion of this programme the successful student will have advanced knowledge and mastery of : 1. scientific principles to assess pollutants and to predict their fates 2. technical principles and design for control and management of pollution 3. relevant modelling approach for control and management 4. impact of pollution on biotic and abiotic environment 5. legal framework and principles of law in Teaching/learning methods Students gain knowledge and understanding through attendance in lectures, seminars and laboratories; through a variety of directed and self-directed learning activities e.g. group projects, journal clubs, case study analysis, field visits, student presentations. Electronic resources will be used to enhance student learning experiences. Students will be directed to explore a diverse range of learning materials such as e-journals, e-books and useful web links. Assessment Method

3 use to protect and prevent harm to the environment 6. ethical, political and economical factors in pollution 7. project management, including principles of statistics, analytical skills, risk assessment and project design. Students knowledge and understanding is assessed by a variety of methods such as coursework in the form of essays and/or laboratory reports, unseen examinations, projects, dissertation, case study analysis and student presentations. B. Cognitive (thinking) skills On completion of this programme the successful student will be able to: 1. evaluate critically pollution control measures (e.g. scientific application, legislation) 2. recommend professional application of pollution management, control and remediation strategies 3. interpret planning, legal, economical and management aspects of pollution 4. ascertain and predict fate of pollutants and their impact in the biotic and abiotic environment 5. plan and design project 6. critique complex decision making. C. Practical skills On completion of the programme the successful student will be able to: 1. manage and plan project, report on investigation including the use of secondary data 2. compose and compile technical report and essay 3. carry out appropriate risk assessment and health and safety checks 4. review literature and give appropriate citations and references 5. collect information/data, record and analyse field and laboratory data 6. apply scientific or legal methodologies. D. Graduate Skills On completion of this programme the successful student will have developed skills for: 1. effective team work Teaching/learning methods Students learn cognitive skills through case study analysis, seminars, essays, problemsolving worksheets, laboratory work - practical and theoretical, field work, projects - group and mini projects, workshops and journal clubs. Electronic resources will also supplement teaching and learning. Assessment Method Students cognitive skills are assessed by a combination of formative and summative assignments. OASISplus delivers year-long self-tests to monitor progress and the programme also uses essays, laboratory reports, problem-solving assignments, case studies, examination, presentations, group and individual projects; critical review of an environmental management project as forms of assessments. Teaching/learning methods Students learn practical skills through participation in laboratory and field work, attendance in research methods modules, library search, essay writing, preparation of laboratory reports, completion of dissertation module, attendance on specific modules. Assessment Students practical skills are assessed by laboratory log book, laboratory report writing, project reports, and dissertation module. Teaching/learning methods Students acquire graduate skills through participation in group work, practical work, seminars, presentations, data analysis exercises, problem-solving worksheets, student led journal clubs, self-directed

4 2. effective communication in verbal and visual forms of presentation 3. ability to write in a variety of formats (e.g. essays, reports, critiques) 4. use of appropriate IT packages 5. time management 6. effective learning learning materials. Assessment Students graduate skills are assessed by essays, presentations, reports, group project, data analysis assessments, time management exercise. 12. Programme structure (levels, modules, credits and progression requirements) Overall structure of the programme The award of the MSc Environmental Pollution Control will be made on completion of 4 taught modules (30 credits points per module), and a research project module worth 60 credit points i.e. on gaining 180 credits. For PgDip award, candidates are required to complete all the taught modules only (120 credits). * Candidates completing 2 taught modules (60 credits) only may be awarded a PgCert at the discretion of the Awards Board. For September-start students The structure of the full-time programme is: BIO credits BIO credits GES credits PRS credits PRS credits The structure of the part-time programme is: YEAR 1 BIO credits PRS credits YEAR 2 BIO credits GES credits PRS credits ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

5 For January-start students The structure of the full-time programme is: YEAR 1 BIO credits GES blended learning 30 credits PRS blended learning 30 credits YEAR 2 BIO credits PRS credits The structure of the part-time programme is: YEAR 1 BIO credits PRS blended learning 30 credits YEAR 2 BIO credits GES credits PRS credits 12.2 Levels and modules Level 4 COMPULSORY OPTIONAL PROGRESSION REQUIREMENTS

6 Students must take all of the following: BIO4301 Pollution Sources and Impacts (30 credits) BIO4302 Control and Remediation of Pollution (30 credits) GES4550 Law and Governance (30 credits) PRS4199 Research Methods (30 credits) PRS4699 MSc project (60 credits) None Candidate must successfully complete the Research Methods module before proceeding to the MSc project Non-compensatable modules Module level Module code 4 BIO4301, BIO4302, GES4550, PRS4199, PRS A curriculum map relating learning outcomes to modules See Curriculum Map attached. 14. Information about assessment regulations Each module is separately assessed, with the mode of assessment reflecting the learning outcomes for the particular modules. Candidates must pass all the components of each module. The final mark of each module will be an aggregate of all the passed components. Modules on this programme cannot be compensated. The assessment breakdown for each module is as follows: BIO4301 Pollution Sources & Impact 100% coursework BIO4302 Control and Remediation of Pollution 40% coursework + 60% exam GES4550 Law and Governance 100% coursework PRS4199 Research Methods 100% coursework PRS4699 MSc Project 100% (80% dissertation + 20% viva voce) 15. Placement opportunities, requirements and support (if applicable) The MSC EPC is associated with the London Innovative Placement Programme (LIPP) via the Centre for Environment & Safety Management for Business in our school. LIPP

7 aims to finding challenging London based projects in small and medium size business for postgraduates students. It offers students opportunities to engage in summer placement in variable lengths (from 4-12 week). A limited number of placements are also available for students to carry out their MSc projects e.g. Science Museum and Thames Water plc. There is also an external link with University de Valencia where students can carry out their projects which are supported by EC s Erasmus programme. Students on project placement will be assigned an external and an internal supervisor. The external supervisor will supervise and oversee research work carried out in the external institution. Students are expected to carry out their research full-time for the duration of the project. The internal supervisor will liaise closely with the external link and provide support and advice to the student throughout the project and especially during the writing-up period. In addition, students may carry out their projects at their work place. Overseas students can carry out approved projects at home provided a suitable supervisor and facilities can be identified prior to the commencement of the project. Such students will be jointly supervised by a member of staff at Middlesex University and a qualified supervisor at the work place. Academic staff at Middlesex University will be available for advice throughout the duration of the project and in particular in the writing-up stage. 16. Future careers (if applicable) This programme is accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES). Students on this programme are automatically eligible for Student Membership of the Institution. This grade is free of charge and students can use the post nominal StMIEnvSci. Student Members are given valuable experience of a leading professional institution, one of the first steps in their professional life. Additionally, on graduation, Student Members receive a certificate from the IES and are automatically eligible to become Associate Members. The IES has been granted a licence to award the qualification of Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) to suitably qualified IES members and environmental professionals. By joining The IES students will have an opportunity of achieving Chartered status as their career develops, and benefit from the professional recognition and standing that comes from such status. Over 85% of the graduates on the programme have found employment. A number of our alumni are employed by local authorities, in the private sector, e.g. Thames Water plc, Environmental Resources Management Ltd, and some have embarked on further research programmes, e.g. at Middlesex University, Imperial College London, Rothamsted Research. Many overseas students are successful applicants of the Home Office s Skilled Migrant programme. Others have secured teaching and research positions in Universities in their home countries. Feedback from past students all agreed that this programme has helped them in their career development. 17. Particular support for learning (if applicable) The programme makes full use of the LR available at the Hendon campus, many of the learning materials are also available on-line e.g. Web of Knowledge and Science Direct. Laboratory facilities are situated in the new build Hatchcroft building and students have access to a well-equipped organic and inorganic chemistry suite; Category 2 Microbiology laboratory and biochemical laboratories.

8 18. JACS code (or other relevant coding system) 19. Relevant QAA subject benchmark group(s) F853 Earth Science, Environmental Sciences and Environmental Studies benchmarks document 20. Reference points The following reference points were used in designing the programme: QAA Earth Science, Environmental Sciences and Environmental Studies benchmarks document (2007) University QAAS Procedures handbook ( ) University Regulations ( ) HSSc School Learning, Teaching and Assessment Policy (2008) Institution of Environmental Sciences 21. Other information Please note programme specifications provide a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve if s/he takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information about the programme can be found in the student programme handbook and the University Regulations.