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 not only satisfy the requirements of Regulation XXI but are also required to obtain the following:

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

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

(iii) 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 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 75)

(ii)       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 not only satisfy the requirements of Regulation XXI but are also required to obtain the following:

(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 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 enable students to gain a systematic understanding of contemporary processes of globalization and urbanization and their mutual relations. 

• To foster students’ ability to critically analyse current advanced research on globalization and cities with reference to relevant theories and concepts. 

• To develop students’ skills and competencies in a comprehensive range of research methods relevant to the investigation of globalized urbanization. 

• To prepare students for employment in diverse professional environments through cultivating initiative, decision-making and independent learning.

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

• UK Quality Code for Higher Education, The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, Part A: Setting and Maintaining Academic Standards, especially:
  • The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies, QAA, October 2014
  • Master’s Degree Characteristics Statement, QAA, September 2015
  • Higher Education Credit Framework for England, QAA, August 2008
• UK Quality Code for Higher Education, The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, Part B: Assuring and Enhancing Academic Quality, especially:
  • Chapter B1: Programme Design, Development and Approval
  • Chapter B3: Learning and Teaching
  • Chapter B4: Enabling Student Development and Achievement
  • Chapter B6: Assessment of Students and the Recognition of Prior Learning
• Subject Benchmark Statement for Geography, QAA, December 2014

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:

K1 The key conceptualizations of globalization as both an increase in global interdependencies and as a contested political and economic project.

K2 The uneven and multi-scalar geographies produced by globalization.

K3 The major arguments and issues in contemporary debates about globalized urbanization, including changing theorizations of ‘the city’ and ‘the urban’.

K4 The wide range of research methods employed in the study of globalization and cities.

K5 The ways in which study of a complementary subject deepens the understanding of contemporary processes of globalization.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

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

C1 Assess different conceptualizations of globalization and appreciate their contested nature.

C2 Identify, synthesize and critically evaluate key debates and theories on globalization and cities.

C3 Understand the merits and limitations of quantitative and qualitative data in researching globalized urbanization.

C4 Discuss their independent research and the issues it raises reflexively.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

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

P1 Formulate research questions and implement strategies to conduct an independent research project.

P2 Use appropriate methods for the collection and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data.

P3 Apply relevant concepts and theories in the interpretation of empirical evidence.

P4 Observe appropriate risk assessment strategies and recognize ethical issues involved in undertaking an independent research project.

c. Key transferable skills:

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

T1 Critically evaluate information and data from a wide range of sources.

T2 Communicate clearly and effectively in written form.

T3 Design and conduct original independent research.

T4 Manage their own self-directed learning.

4. Programme structure

4.1       Semesters 1 & 2 

COMPULSORY MODULE 

4.2       Semester 1 

COMPULSORY MODULES 

 4.3       Semester 2 

(i)            COMPULSORY MODULE 

(ii)           OPTIONAL MODULE 

Candidates must choose one optional module. 

(iii)          FURTHER COMPULSORY MODULE 

Semester 2 

For the award of MSc only. 

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to be eligible for the award, candidates must not only satisfy the requirements of Regulation XXI but are also required to obtain the following: 

(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 GYP400 (Dissertation), provision will be made for candidates who have the right of re-assessment 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

N/A