Module Information
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 5 x 2 Hour Lectures |
| Field Trip | 2 x 4 Hour Field Trips |
| Lecture | 9 x 1 Hour Lectures |
| Field Trip | 1 x 3 Hour Field Trip |
| Practical | 3 x 3 Hour Practicals |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Case study reports (3 X 2000 words maximum) | 50% |
| Semester Assessment | Group evaluation and individual recommendation reports on environmental investigation | 25% |
| Semester Assessment | Group project (Oral presentation and written report) | 25% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Supplementary coursework: Students must take elements of assessment equivalent to those that led to failure of the module | 100% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Scope the nature and extent of an environmental problem, identify key knowledge gaps and identify the research required to inform mitigation strategies.
2. Describe, design and implement field/laboratory investigations to address a specific brief.
3. Effectively communicate (both verbally and in written form) on the outcomes of an investigation in a style appropriate for an environmental consultancy report.
4. Collaborate effectively with peers in implementing and reporting on an environmental investigation.
5. Collect or manipulate, and present data following professional protocols.
6. Describe and critically discuss the process of project management, contract negotiation, engagement and delivery.
Brief description
This module will introduce students to the generic processes of problem characterisation, project design, project implementation and project reporting in the environmental sector. These processes will be introduced via a combination of case studies where students will review existing reports, practical investigations where support will be provided in data collection against an agreed brief, and group projects where students will have to engage with a stakeholder in order to define and implement an investigation with specified outputs related to agreed deliverables.
Content
There will be three phases to the module to progressively develop skill sets and abilities needed to undertake environmental projects.
Firstly, students will be introduced to the background (scientific, practical and regulatory) to a series of case studies. These case studies will develop skills in evaluating the quality of evidence, handling large datasets, integrating diverse evidence, and costing alternative solutions. Students will be required in written reports to evaluate the conclusions reached in each case study, to identify information gaps preventing action and to describe further work required.
Secondly, students will undertake as a group an investigation to address specified environmental questions with some oversight from staff. They will then be required to report on the outcomes of the investigation and as to whether their approach was fit for purpose. This exercise will be based partly on information provided and partly on data collected by the students.
Thirdly, small teams will engage with a stakeholder to agree deliverables and a notional budget to implement a practical investigation aimed at advising on a real life environmental problem. Students will be responsible for project development, implementation and reporting.
The module will develop strong individual communication and team working skills.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | Analysis of numerical data from investigations. |
| Communication | Good scientific communication required in assignments. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Detailed feedback provided via Turnitin on the reports or in practical sessions. |
| Information Technology | Use of information technology required in research. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | Relevance of module skills to potential careers emphasized. |
| Problem solving | Students will develop investigation plans and address problems arising in their implementation. |
| Research skills | Research skills associated with collation and processing of information. |
| Subject Specific Skills | Module requires students to develop a range of skills relevant to soil management. |
| Team work | Student will engage in teams to plan, collect and report on data. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 7