Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

The aims of the programme are to enable students to:

• acquire the necessary skills for measuring, analysing and evaluating environmental data;
• gain a sound theoretical understanding of environmental processes and systems;
• enhance their employment opportunities for the consultancy sector and government organisations, and improve their competitiveness for PhD studentships.

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external and internal reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

The Benchmark Statement for Geography

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• the range of methods, tools and techniques available to collect and analyse environmental data for practical problem solving;
• the dynamics of key environmental systems, including lakes, rivers and soils;
• how environmental data informs management of environmental systems.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• select, execute and evaluate research methodologies in environmental sciences;
• critically assess the theories and concepts pivotal to understanding environmental dynamics and systems;
• critically interpret data to make scientifically rigorous arguments;
• successfully complete an original piece of research on environmental dynamics, dovetailing both theoretical rigor and data analysis (dissertation).

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• understand the merits and limitations of different research methods;
• deploy a variety of instruments to collect environmental data in the field;
• conduct a qualitative assessment of environmental systems through observation;
• use laboratory equipment and techniques to analyse environmental data;
• use analytical software tools (SPSS, Matlab, ERDAS);
• evaluate secondary environmental data sources, including web-based material;
• synthesise research results and, if appropriate, recommend management policy;
• interpret, write-up and present quantitative and qualitative data.

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• work effectively in individual study and in teams;
• manage time effectively;
• problem solve and analyse numerical data from a variety of sources;
• identify, retrieve, sort and exchange relevant information from conventional and on-line sources;
• cost and plan the resource allocation for a research proposal;
• evaluate the risks involved in collecting environmental data and develop mitigation strategies to reduce this risk;
• effectively assimilate and communicate material of a technical nature in written, oral and visual form;
• use IT (WWW, word-processing, spread sheets, graphics).

4. Programme structure

4.1       (i)         COMPULSORY MODULES            (total modular weight 120)

Semesters 1 & 2                                                                                            

Semester 1

Semester 2                                                                                              

2.2       (i)         FURTHER COMPULSORY MODULE

Semester 2

for the award of MSc only (total modular weight 60)                                                                                             

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to be eligible for the award, candidates must satisfy the requirements of Regulation XXI.

Candidates are required to obtain the following in order to be eligible for the award of: 

(i) PGCert – 60 credits from modules other than GYP500. 

(ii) LPD – 100 credits from modules other than GYP500 and not less than 40% in further module(s) with a weight of 20. 

(ii) MSc – 160 credits and not less than 40% in further module(s) with a weight of 20.

With the exclusion of module GYP500 (Dissertation), provision will be made for candidates who have the right of re-assessment, and who have achieved at least 60 credits at first attempts, to undergo re-assessment in the University's Special Assessment Period (SAP).

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the purposes of Final Degree Classification

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

The programme aims to enable students to:

• develop a critical understanding of the ongoing impacts of globalization on sports and leisure;
• appreciate the changing theoretical context in which research on geographies of sports and leisure has proceeded;
• acquire critical reading and research skills appropriate to researching issues of sporting participation, exclusion and identity as they relate to questions of place, space and landscape;
• complete a self-directed and managed piece of research exploring the relationship of globalization and sport;
• enhance employment skills, with particular reference to employment in positions where awareness of the global dimensions of sports and leisure is essential.

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external and internal reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

Subject Benchmark Statements for Geography and for the Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism Group

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• define and elucidate the idea of globalization as a context for contemporary social science research;
• appreciate the range of methods available for exploring the social, economic and political geographies of globalization;
• understand, by applying sociological concepts, theories and evidence, the relationship between sport and globalization;
• understand, by applying sociological concepts, theories and evidence, the relationship between sport, culture and society;
• successfully complete an original piece of research on globalization and sports dovetailing both theoretical rigour and solid analysis.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• define and elucidate the idea of globalization as a context for contemporary social science research;
• Appreciate the range of methods available for exploring the social, economic and political geographies of globalization;
• Understand, by applying sociological concepts, theories and evidence, the relationship between sport and globalization;
• Understand, by applying sociological concepts, theories and evidence, the relationship between sport, culture and society;
• Successfully complete an original piece of research on globalization space and sports dovetailing both theoretical rigour and solid analysis.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• critically read, evaluate and summarise social science debates as they pertain to sports and globalization;
• successfully analyse social data via quantitative (statistical) and qualitative (discursive and textual) techniques;
• manage the research process, conducting and disseminating research in a way that is consistent with both professional practice and the normal principles of research ethics.

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should have developed their:

• communication skills: writing, dissemination and media skills;
• oral presentation skills for seminars, workshops and conferences;
• research management and time management skills;
• bibliographic and computing skills.

4. Programme structure

4.1       COMPULSORY MODULES                             (Total Modular Weight of 120)

Semester 1

Semester 2

4.2       FURTHER COMPULSORY MODULE – for the award of MSc only

Semester 2

Candidates will be required to submit a dissertation on a topic relevant to programme content.  Either the Department of Geography or the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences (SSEHS) will provide supervision according to topic.

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to be eligible for the award, candidates must satisfy the requirements of Regulation XXI.

Candidates are required to obtain the following in order to be eligible for the award of:

(i) PGCert – 60 credits from modules other than GYP400.

(ii) PGDip – 120 credits from modules other than GYP400.

(iii) MSc – 150 credits and not less than 40% in the remaining module.

With the exclusion of module GYP400 (Dissertation), provision will be made for candidates who have the right of re-assessment, and who have achieved at least 60 credits at first attempts, to undergo re-assessment in the University's Special Assessment Period (SAP).

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the purposes of Final Degree Classification

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

• to enhance students’ theoretical understanding of the key concepts, approaches and methods underpinning human geography research;
• to provide an intellectually stimulating environment in which students can develop the quantitative and qualitative techniques required when undertaking research projects in human geography;
• to provide students with the opportunity to place human geography research methods in a multidisciplinary context where the value of interdisciplinary analysis is explored;
• to enhance students’ career and employment opportunities by developing a range of transferable skills that is grounded in the programme.

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external and internal reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

• Economic and Social Research Council Recognition Exercise criteria 2001 (Section F5 – Human Geography)
• The Benchmark Statement for Geography

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• the significance of alternative epistemological positions that provide the context for theory construction, research design and the selection of appropriate analytical techniques in human geography;
• the basic principles of research design and strategy in human geography, including an understanding of how to formulate researchable problems and an appreciation of alternative approaches to research;
• the application of a range of research methods, both quantitative and qualitative, including their uses, limitations, and applications in human geography research;
• the research process, from initial proposal through to dissemination of findings.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• recognise the existence of varying geographic imaginations and the distinctive contribution of situated geographic knowledges;
• exhibit knowledge of a range of theoretical and methodological approaches appropriate to the definition, collection, analysis and interpretation of geographic data;
• assess the merits of research methodologies derived from both the social sciences and humanities in geographic research projects;
• appreciate the role of primary and secondary data evidence in human geography;
• identify the potential difficulties evident in undertaking human geographical research, including questions of ethics, morality and safety.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• collect geographic data through interview, questionnaire and observational methods;
• make use of secondary data sources, including maps, statistics, visual images and texts;
• successfully analyse geographic data via quantitative (statistical) and qualitative (discursive and textual) techniques;
• manage the research process, conducting and disseminating geographic research in a way that is consistent with both professional practice and the normal principles of research ethics.

c. Key transferable skills:

On successfully completing the course, graduates will have developed key skills in:

• communicating effectively through writing and graphical communication;
• making oral presentations;
• working independently and as part of a team;
• bibliographic searching and using the Internet as a research tool;
• analysing numerical information by computer;
• reading critically;
• time management.

4. Programme structure

4.1       (i)         COMPULSORY MODULES           (total modular weight 120)

Semester 1

Semester 2

4.2       (i)         FURTHER COMPULSORY MODULE

Semester 2

for the award of MSc only                   (total modular weight 60)

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to be eligible for the award, candidates must satisfy the requirements of Regulation XXI.

Candidates are required to obtain the following in order to be eligible for the award of:

(i) PGCert – 60 credits from modules other than GYP400.

(ii) PGDip – 105 credits from modules other than GYP400 and not less than 40% in the remaining module.

(iii) MSc – 165 credits and not less than 40% in the remaining module.

With the exclusion of module GYP400 (Dissertation), provision will be made for candidates who have the right of re-assessment, and who have achieved at least 60 credits at first attempts, to undergo re-assessment in the University's Special Assessment Period (SAP).

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the purposes of Final Degree Classification

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

The programme aims to:

• develop an integrated advanced interdisciplinary knowledge of theories and issues in financial and political development, beyond bachelor degree level;
• introduce applications of theory, beyond bachelor degree level;
• give students general training that is vocationally relevant to employment in government, commerce and industry;
• equip students with appropriate tools of analysis that will allow them to undertake applied research for their employers in the areas of financial and political development.

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external and internal reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

Framework for Higher Education Qualifications

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• the functions and operations of institutions, financial markets and systems, with reference to central and commercial banks and other financial intermediaries, and the significance of financial institutions and markets in international financial and political development;
• the core principals of economic geography, with reference to financial globalization, the regional agglomeration of financial services and the significance of trends in globalization for international financial and political development;
• the core principals of politics and international relations, with reference to political communication, international institutions and the governance of the world economy, and the significance of trends in international relations for international financial and political development;
• independent applied research in the core disciplines of the degree, using basic research tools and quantitative methods appropriate to the conduct of independent research.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• analyse theoretical and practical problems in banking and the operation of financial markets, the development of financial markets in a global economy, international relations and the governance of the global economy, by using the appropriate theories and research methods;
• analyse the impact of developments in banking, financial globalization, international political relations on international financial and political development;
• synthesise important issues and themes from the professional and academic literature in the disciplines of the degree;
• use the professional and academic literature of the disciplines of the degree to formulate questions suitable for research;
• critically analyse professional and academic research papers in the disciplines of the degree.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• present word-processed written reports using structure, paragraphing and citation, appropriate to professional and academic standards in the disciplines of the degree;
• collect and analyse statistical and qualitative data, interpret such data, and carry out statistical hypothesis testing and other research analysis, appropriate to the professional and academic standards in the disciplines of the degree.

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• apply skills in analysis (including statistical analysis) and problem formulation to areas of general debate other than the disciplines of the degree;
• use skills in synthesis to formulate key issues in areas of general debate other than the disciplines of the degree.

More generally, students should have further developed skills in:

• numeracy;
• logical thinking and problem solving;
• use of information technology (retrieval of data, web-based information searching, handling of data in computer files, basic word-processing and spreadsheet methods);
• written and oral communication;
• time management and decision-making;
• independent study;
• group study.

4. Programme structure

4.1       Semester 1

(i)         COMPULSORY MODULES              (total modular weight 60)

4.2 Semester 2

(i)         COMPULSORY MODULES              (total modular weight 60)

(ii)        OPTIONAL MODULES

Candidates must choose an optional modular weight of 15 from either ECP153 or ECP254.

(iii)       FURTHER COMPULSORY MODULE

Semester 2

for the award of MSc only                   (total modular weight 45)

The subject of the dissertation will be come from one of the three disciplines of the degree.

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to be eligible for the award, candidates must satisfy the requirements of Regulation XXI.

Candidates are required to obtain the following in order to be eligible for the award of:

(i) PGCert – 60 credits from modules other than the dissertation.

(ii) PGDip – 105 credits from modules other than the dissertation and not less than 40% in the remaining modules.

(iii) MSc – 150 credits and not less than 40% in the remaining module(s).

With the exclusion of module GYP600 (Dissertation), provision will be made for candidates who have the right of re-assessment, and who have achieved at least 60 credits at first attempts, to undergo re-assessment in the University's Special Assessment Period (SAP).

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the purposes of Final Degree Classification