MSc Environmental Management (Climate Change) PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION MSc Environmental Management. Valid from September

Transcription

1 Faculty of Education, Health and Sciences PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION MSc Environmental Management MSc Environmental Management (Climate Change) Valid from September

2 CONTENTS SECTION ONE: GENERAL INFORMATION 1 SECTION TWO: OVERVIEW AND PROGRAMME AIMS 3 SECTION THREE: PROGRAMME LEARNING OUTCOMES 5 SECTION FOUR: PROGRAMME STRUCTURE 7 SECTION FIVE: PROGRAMME DELIVERY 10 SECTION SIX: ADMISSIONS 12 SECTION SEVEN: STUDENT SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE 12 SECTION EIGHT: POST PROGRAMME OPPORTUNITIES 13 SECTION NINE: EMPLOYER LINKS 13 APPENDIX A: CURRICULUM MAP 14

3 SECTION ONE: GENERAL INFORMATION Programme Title/ Subject Title: MSc Environmental Management MSc Environmental Management (Climate Change) Award title and Interim awards: Master of Science in Environmental Management Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Management Postgraduate Certificate in Environmental Management Master of Science in Environmental Management (Climate Change) Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Management (Climate Change) Postgraduate Certificate in Environmental Management (Climate Change) Mode of Study Full-time, part-time, and online distance learning Programme start date/review date Start date: September 2012 Period of validation: indefinite Awarding Institution University of Derby Faculty Managing the Programme Faculty of Education, Health and Sciences Institution(s) Delivering the Programme/Joint Honours Subject University of Derby External Benchmarks and Accreditation While there are no QAA benchmarks for both subjects at the MSc level, the MSc Environmental Management and MSc Environmental Management (Climate Change) benchmarks will be aligned with the QAA Benchmark Statement for Earth Sciences, Environmental Sciences and Environmental Studies (ES3). Moreover, the programme complies with the QAA code of practice for the assurance of academic quality and standards in higher education. The full MSc Environmental Management has been recently accredited by the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES) and the Committee of Heads of Environmental Sciences (CHES). Students enrolled on the IES/CHES accredited programmes are automatically eligible for Student Membership of the Institution; this grade is free of charge and students can use the post nominal StMIEnvSci. On completion of their MSc, Student Members receive a certificate from the IES and are automatically eligible to become Associate Members. Moreover, within the MSc there is accreditation from the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) towards an Associate membership of IEMA on completion of three modules which employ benchmarks laid down by this body. The content 1

4 has been audited for ten years and approved by the professional standards committee of this group. Modules that are accredited by IEMA as part of the MSc (and required for the Associate Membership of IEMA) are: Environmental Management and Audit Environmental Policy and Law Environmental Pollution and Management Strategies JACS Code(s) F800 Programme specifications last updated June

5 SECTION TWO: OVERVIEW AND PROGRAMME AIMS Overview The MSc in Environmental Management and MSc Environmental Management (Climate Change) are administered by the Subject area of Geographical, Earth and Environmental Sciences (GEES) in the Faculty of Education, Health and Sciences (FEHS). The MSc in Environmental Management has been developed from a national and international need for environmental officers through the provision of flexible and vocational postgraduate training in the field of professional Environmental Management. Support for this need has come about through extensive consultation with a range of employers, both private and public sector, and professional bodies such as the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment and the Institute of Environmental Sciences. The inclusion of a climate change pathway within the Environmental Management programme reflects the growing importance of climate in terms of informing decision making and policy development, and offers graduates and professionals an opportunity to incorporate a climate change theme within their Masters programme. The climate change pathway assumes no specialist climate change knowledge. Fundamentally the pathway aims to provide students with a mastery command of the scientific and fundamental principles that underpin climate change through the study of climate dynamics, climate change impacts and adaptation, and approaches to mitigate future climate change. By incorporating the pathway within their programme students will be able to critically analyse climate change trends and impacts on environmental management systems, and evaluate mitigation and adaptation strategies. The MSc Environmental Management programme has been running since 1998, before which it was running under the title of MSc Environmental Management: Pollution Control. The programme meets several University and Faculty aims, namely for applied science programmes, work-based and e-learning in niche areas. The programme runs on full-and part-time basis and has been extremely popular with part-time students who are currently in employment and can study on-campus, or by e-learning. E-learning students on the programme have been based across the globe in countries such as Azerbaijan, Canada, Kenya, Macau, Malta, Oman, Romania, Spain, United Arab Emirates, and the UK. Also, there have been a number of on-campus students on the programme from a range of countries within the EU and overseas (such as Cameroon, Cyprus, Hong Kong, India, Nigeria) indicating an international interest in the programme. Many of our past students are actively employed in the environmental sector and have also been involved in our consultations. In addition to the course content, other initiatives to come out of the consultation with the student body have included more flexible modes of delivery (on-campus, blended, online) and entry points (September and January) to allow the course to be better fitted around work commitments. The programme has an annual cohort student number of around 45 over the last few years which is a good reflection of its popularity in the current competitive market of such a course provision. The rationale and programme aims provide the fundamental basis for the programme content and the programme learning outcomes were derived from, and can be mapped onto, these. These programme aims and learning outcomes direct the module content and the depth of study and therefore the module learning outcomes. Detailed module content and learning outcomes can be found in the information for each module either via the on-line learning environment (Blackboard accessed via UDo) or the module specifications. All modules have been developed specifically to meet the needs of the Environmental Management programme, the IEMA accreditation for the three modules required to be 3

6 eligible for the Associate membership of IEMA and employers. Therefore, a level of consistency and coherence between the modules is ensured. Programme aims The programme in Environmental Management and MSc in Environmental Management (Climate Change) aim to: Provide a programme suitable for graduates towards full-time study, and also for mature students in current employment on a part-time study route to suit their time commitments over two or three years. Produce a programme of study that addresses the need of Professional Environmental Managers working in industry, consultancy, local authorities and other statutory bodies; for the Climate Change pathway, produce a programme of study that provides a level of climate change knowledge that addresses the needs of environmental managers working in academia, industry, consultancy, local authorities and other statutory bodies. Produce graduates with the ability to collect and critically review primary and secondary data; primary secondary climatic data for the Climate Change pathway Prepare students to apply the knowledge gained to real situations (case studies through examples of management systems in various organisations; and examples of adaptation and mitigation in environmental management systems for the Climate Change pathway), to critically evaluate the outcomes and make strategic decisions. Produce graduates with a deep conceptual understanding that enables them to critically evaluate current research and application in the context of environmental management and climate change. 4

7 SECTION THREE: PROGRAMME LEARNING OUTCOMES The programme outcomes meet the requirements set out by the Framework for Higher Education Qualification (FHEQ) for Master s degree, Postgraduate Certificate and Postgraduate Diploma at Level 7. The curriculum map demonstrates how the modules on the programme enable students to meet the programme learning outcomes at Level 7 for the Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma and Master s stages. MSc Environmental Management and MSc Environmental Management (Climate Change): Knowledge and understanding (MSc Environmental Management) 1. Mastery and command of the scientific and fundamental principles that underpin environmental management through the study of environmental management fundamental principles and legislation through modules on the Programme 2. Critical assessment and review of current research in the different aspects/issues of environmental management 3. Application of the skills to an environmental aspect/issue, either through primary or secondary data collection, and critical evaluation of the outcomes. Knowledge and understanding: (MSc Environmental Management (Climate Change): 1. Mastery and command of the scientific and fundamental principles that underpin climate change, mitigation and adaptation 2. Critically assess and review current research into how climate change informs environmental management 3. Apply the skills to climate change-environmental management issue, either through primary or secondary data collection, and critically evaluate the outcomes. Intellectual skills 1. Demonstrate information processing skills - interpret and combine academic material relating to the programme and demonstrate scholarly thinking 2. Locate, understand, critically evaluate and synthesize evidence and data significant to an environmental/climate change aspect/issue and its application 3. Communicate in appropriate professional styles through presentations, essay and report writing 4. Design and complete a substantial body of independent research Practical/Subject specific skills 1. Retrieve, select and critically analyse information and standards from a variety of sources that are relevant to problems in the field of environmental management 2. Demonstrate knowledge of specific methods and techniques for environmental monitoring and assessment through field and laboratory work; and for the Climate Change pathway: Demonstrate knowledge of specific methods and techniques for climate change monitoring and assessment. 5

8 3. Demonstrate a critical understanding and reasoning of the application of scientific methods: in environmental pollution and its management; and climate change, its mitigation and possible mitigation strategies for the Climate Change pathway Transferable skills. 1. Communicate ideas, findings and conclusions effectively via different modes of communication 2. Use information technology effectively in the analysis, interpretation and communication of findings 3. Evaluate problems, propose solutions and assess effectiveness 4. Work constructively in team settings 5. Work independently, locate information sources and produce work through effective time-management 6

9 MSc PG Dip PG Cert SECTION FOUR: PROGRAMME STRUCTURE Structure and Curriculum The programme is delivered on-campus and online by e-learning. The programme for the Certificate, Diploma and MSc in Environmental Management is shown in Figure 1. The programme for the Certificate, Diploma and MSc in Environmental Management (Climate Change) is shown in Figure 2. Figure 1: Programme Structure Diagram: MSc Environmental Management # Environmental Policy & Law 7EV503 OC; EL Autumn semester # Environmental Management & Audit 7EV502 OC; EL Spring semester ` Critical Issues in the Environment (PDP) 7EV500 OC; EL Autumn OR Spring semester Core Modules Optional Modules # Environmental Pollution & Management Strategies 7EV504 OC; EL Spring semester ONE optional module * ONE optional module * Independent Scholarly Activity (PDP) 7EL996 (60 Credits) OC; EL Autumn OR Spring semester OC = on-campus delivery EL = e-learning mode of delivery Autumn OR Spring semester = offered in both semesters, student can choose/counselled to take the module in an appropriate semester *Optional modules: Environmental Impact Assessment 7EV501 (OC; EL) (Spring semester) Environmental Noise Assessment 7AK500 (OC; EL) (Spring semester) The Regulation of Noise and Vibration 7AK501 (OC; EL) (Spring semester) Waste Management Control 7EL500 (OC; EL) (Autumn semester) # Modules required for IEMA Associate membership 7

10 MSc Semester 2 PG Dip Semester 2 PG Cert Semester 1 Figure 2: Programme Structure Diagram: MSc Environmental Management (Climate Change) Critical Issues in the Environment (PDP) 7EV500 OC, EL ` # Environmental Policy & Law 7EV503 OC, EL Climate change: drivers, impacts, and adaptation 7EV505 OC, EL or Climate change: mitigation 7EV506 EL *1 # Environmental Pollution & Man. Strategies 7EV504 OC, EL # Environmental Management & Audit 7EV502 OC, EL Climate change: drivers, impacts, and adaptation 7EV505 OC, EL or Climate change: mitigation 7EV506 OC, EL Independent Scholarly Activity (PDP) 7EL996 (60 Credits) OC, EL *2 OC = on-campus delivery EL = e-learning mode of delivery *1 7EV506 is available by e-learning mode of delivery for January starters *2 7EL996 is available in the Autumn OR Spring semester # Modules required for IEMA Associate membership Full-time students normally complete the MSc in one year. Part-time students study over two or three years. Students may start in either September or January. Part time students taking two years complete 100 credits in the first year and 80 credits in the second year, or vice versa. Part time students taking three years complete 60 credits in each year. All students start their course by taking the module Critical Issues in the Environment as this develops critical reading and writing skills applicable to the rest of the modules on the programme. This module is run in both semesters. All students are provided with academic guidance over their choice of optional modules and their progression through the programme. 8

11 Personal Development Planning (PDP) PDP is a structured and supported process undertaken by an individual to reflect upon their own learning, performance and/or achievement and to plan for their personal, educational and career development. As part of recommendations from the QAA and HEFCE (following the Dearing Report) and as agreed by UK Universities, HE institutions are expected to provide a form of Personal Development Planning (PDP) for their students. You should be: Identifying and reflecting on existing skills, working, professional and other experiences Reflecting on how your study will meet their professional and personal needs Reviewing progress and achievement. The aim of the PDP portfolio is to facilitate the integration of the academic and practical aspects of the Masters programme. The portfolio is an active learning tool. This means that it is continuously updated and evolving during your time on the course. It will give you the opportunity to demonstrate practical application of underpinning knowledge, demonstrate how you are developing during the course on an individual and professional level and demonstrate the range and level of practical ability to employers. The portfolio you maintain during the course of study will not be assessed; it is for your own personal development. However, your tutor may check that you have completed the portfolio activities and are keeping up with your portfolio. 9

12 SECTION FIVE: PROGRAMME DELIVERY Learning and Teaching Methods The programme teaching and learning is aimed at offering flexibility of course delivery and attainment of a holistic overview of the fundamental concepts of environmental management strategies guided through current legislation. Teaching and learning on the programme is informed by research and professional scholarly activity. It is based upon the link between the theoretical and practical aspects of environmental management through the use of case study approach. Whereas, the on-campus students can participate in the practical aspects of laboratory and field work, the e-learning students are provided this experience through the case study approach, video recordings of environmental sampling and analytical techniques, and where appropriate through work-based learning. Within this context, the on-campus students carry out fieldwork on site; and for the online students, fieldwork is guided through presentations with voiceovers to give details of the study site, its background, history and the aim of the fieldwork, followed by the sampling strategy and protocols explained through video recordings of real fieldwork carried out. In order to meet the current demand of potential students, the programme is offered by both on-campus and e-learning modes of study. The programme provides flexibility and the opportunity to focus learning within the University and the student s work environment as they address the learning outcomes of the modules. Module materials are delivered as oncampus lectures and online and centre on text based information which is necessary at the Masters level. The modes of delivery also allow discussion in the classroom for on-campus students and through the Discussion Board and activities such as Live Classroom for the on-line students to facilitate interactive discussion between the students and tutors. In addition, the materials in certain modules refer to journal articles and certain websites accompanied by appropriate applied exercises or case studies, where possible. On engaging with the Critical Issues in the Environment module, students will be able to study areas of interest or areas that are applicable to the specific area in which they work or intend to work. For students on the Climate Change pathway the area of interest will need to focus upon drivers or impacts of climate change, adaptation or mitigation. Students with the opportunity to use work-based learning in this way (and through the Independent Scholarly Activity module) will be encouraged to critically evaluate tasks in the workplace or environment. This emphasis encourages the student to synthesise a wide range of information and knowledge. The modules offer both a practical experience in the field of Environmental Management as a profession, and also a strong academic basis for students who wish to continue in academia. Communication and articulation of ideas are taught in a number of modules, such as Environmental Policy and Law, and Independent Scholarly Activity. The skills developed in the module Critical Issues in the Environment help students to apply them through the rest of the modules, particularly in terms of critical thinking, critical reading and critical writing. The modules on this programme provide a framework for students to learn independently and in teams where group work is required. Students are expected to take responsibility for their own learning, particularly to a large extent in the Critical Issues in the Environment and the Independent Scholarly Activity modules. This is done through encouragement to apply skills in the context of their own environment and with support from staff via face-to-face meetings, telephone, , and live classroom wimba sessions, with students also being encouraged to use on-line discussion forums to provide support for each other. The programme web pages allow announcements, publication of the latest information and specific guidance as required. All students are required to comply with research governance and ethics principles whilst undertaking their programme of study. This is of particular importance when 10

13 conducting research involving other people e.g. for module assessments or Independent Studies. Information on these principles can be found on the University web site at Assessment The assessments match the module learning outcomes, which are derived from the module content, generic learning outcomes and programme aims. Assessment of knowledge and applied skills is by coursework only, often taking the form of reports, containing sections to assess specific skills or allow variation and innovation, and larger items of work that integrate the topic areas. This approach helps ensure a breadth of knowledge and also the depth required at this level. The larger assignments will require students to integrate the knowledge and skills covered and use research skills to locate and critically evaluate further information. The module Critical Issues in the Environment develops critical reading and writing skills applicable to the rest of the modules on the programme, and therefore runs both in the autumn and spring semesters allowing September and January start students to apply these skills towards the assessment of other modules. Students are also encouraged to consider knowledge gained during modules in the context of their own work environment where appropriate, and demonstrate understanding by relating their on-line discussions or assessments when applicable to their work. Parity of assessment load will be ensured through discussions between module leaders, monitored by the programme leader, whilst incorporating any feedback from students and the external examiner. The assessment deadlines for on-campus and on-line modules are set throughout the course of the modules and some towards the end of the modules. Students will receive an Assessment Schedule for all modules in the Programme Handbook, and also in the Module Handbook for each module at the start of their module, so that they can plan their workload effectively. All modules on the programme will incorporate a formative assessment through which the students will be provided with feedback towards their summative assessment. This will include tutorial sessions (face-to-face meetings, or wimba live classroom sessions), or feedback on a draft outline of the assignment. This programme operates within the University s Regulatory Framework and conforms to its regulations on assessment. 11

14 SECTION SIX: ADMISSIONS Entry requirements specific to this programme can be found at SECTION SEVEN: STUDENT SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE Student academic support is provided through the programme leader, module leader, and tutors. On-campus students receive a 3-hour session per module per week for a total of ten to twelve weeks and are also supported through the programme and module web-pages via Blackboard on UDo. E-learning and distance learning support is provided centrally via UDoL and InFocus, but the programme team also provide and link to essential information via the programme web pages. E-learning, as with any form of distance learning, lacks the structure of weekly lectures on campus, however, students are guided through a weekly time-plan and associated study materials. However, it is more flexible which is suitable for students in employment. and Announcements on Blackboard are used to send periodic updates during the module, asking if students have any questions and stating where ideally they should be in the study materials. The online discussions through the Discussion Board and Live Classroom based on module content also drive this. Each module specification provides an indication of the distribution of the number of hours for private or directed study. Any essential or recommended directed reading is included in the recommended module handbooks. The Learning centre provides assistance in accessing the key electronic library resources and their web pages provide detailed guidance and assistance, and for specific information on accessing digital resources, electronic journals and online research tools. A guide to Accessing Electronic Resources from Home is also included on the programme web pages. Students declaring a disability will be treated in accordance with the University Equal Opportunities Policy which aims to develop an awareness of the needs of individual students to enable them to participate fully in their programme of study. Ongoing support is established via a Support Plan which makes recommendations in relation to the student's support needs. Staff will seek to make the appropriate adaptations as identified in Support Plans. An introduction to the University s regulations, policies and procedures for students, which together constitute their Rights, Responsibilities and Regulations can be found on the University web site at Information regarding Student support and information services can be found on the University web site at The programme leader for the MSc Environmental Management is Prof. Aradhana Mehra and the programme leader for the MSc Environmental Management (Climate Change) pathway is Dr Richard Pope. The programme leaders provide guidance and support for the management and administrative aspects of the course and also act as personal tutors. The module leaders are responsible for providing the academic support and guidance for module related issues. 12

15 SECTION EIGHT: POST PROGRAMME OPPORTUNITIES The Masters programme allows for progression in terms of further qualifications and employment. The Masters is a good basis for further study in the form of a research degree (MPhil/PhD) and coupled with relevant experience, may contribute towards gaining full membership of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA), Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES) and a Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) status. Membership of the IEMA/IES is also a good resource for employment opportunities and keeping up to date on developments in the environmental field. From a wider perspective, the programme provides a suitable qualification for those working in allied areas to progress and broaden the skills they offer, for example, environmental consultants who wish to specialise in waste management, or other environmental pollution management areas. Those opting for the climate change pathway will be able to specialise in the increasingly important areas of climate change mitigation and/or adaptation. Please contact the appropriate programme leader if you wish to discuss this further. On successfully completing the programme, students can seek employment with a number of organisations, examples in the UK are the local authorities, government bodies such as the Environment Agency, environmental consultancies, and industry. Students who complete the programme while in employment are in a position to apply for in-house promotions or apply for jobs where their new qualifications are needed. SECTION NINE: EMPLOYER LINKS The programme has very good employer links in the public and private sector (such as local authorities, industry, consultancies) where organisations sponsor their employees on the programme, so student feedback about content and delivery also helps ensure employer needs are met and a dialogue is maintained. Further dialogue and awareness is maintained by the activities of the programme team, be they employer visits, conference attendance or consultancy. However, it should be noted that to ensure that the content and focus of each module remains relevant students will be asked to provide annual feedback. Additionally, annual review meetings will take place with the external examiners (Dr C Booth, Bristol, Dr S Charlesworth, Coventry, Dr S Saikat (HPA, London) for the MSc Environmental Management programme and with Dr. Lisa Hammond (DEFRA [York]) and Andy Hills/Rueben Chesters (Climate Change Unit) at Derby City Council for the Climate Change pathway. 13

16 APPENDIX A: CURRICULUM MAP Environmental Management Programme Learning Outcomes Knowledge & Intellectual Skills Subject Specific Transferable Skills Understanding Skills MODULES LO1 LO2 LO3 LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO1 LO2 LO3 LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 Critical Issues in the Environment Environmental Impact Assessment Environmental Management & Audit Environmental Noise Assessment Environmental Policy & Law Environmental Pollution & Management Strategies Independent Scholarly Activity Regulation of Noise & Vibration Waste Management Control LO = Programme Learning Outcome Example LO1 = Programme Learning Outcome 1 14

17 Environmental Management (Climate Change) Programme Learning Outcomes Knowledge & Intellectual Skills Subject Specific Transferable Skills Understanding Skills MODULES LO1 LO2 LO3 LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO1 LO2 LO3 LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 Climate change: drivers, impacts, and adaptation Climate change: mitigation Critical Issues in the Environment Environmental Management & Audit Environmental Policy & Law Environmental Pollution & Management Strategies Independent Scholarly Activity 15