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Programme Specifications

Programme Specification

MSc Environmental Studies

Academic Year: 2016/17

This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if full advantage is taken of the learning opportunities that are provided.

This specification applies to delivery of the programme in the Academic Year indicated above. Prospective students reviewing this information for a later year of study should be aware that these details are subject to change as outlined in our Terms and Conditions of Study.

This specification should be read in conjunction with:

  • Summary
  • Aims
  • Learning outcomes
  • Structure
  • Progression & weighting

Programme summary

Awarding body/institution Loughborough University
Teaching institution (if different)
Owning school/department Department of Chemistry
Details of accreditation by a professional/statutory body

None

Final award MSc/PGDip/PGCert
Programme title Environmental Studies (ES) Note the abbreviations in brackets are used throughout this document
Programme code ES CMPT35 (full-time)
Length of programme One year [full time] or two years ([part time] with the possibility of extending part-time study in accordance with Regulation XX1
UCAS code n/a
Admissions criteria

Lower second class honours degree in Environmental Science, Geography, Science, Engineering, or related discipline or equivalent professional qualification. Participation in individual modules is possible by arrangement.

Date at which the programme specification was published Wed, 13 Apr 2016 16:55:08 BST

1. Programme Aims

  • To offer an integrated and multi-disciplinary approach to environmental studies, allowing prospective students to direct module choices to their individual requirements.
  • To be varied in delivery to suit the needs of prospective students using short course and distance learning format either as full time or part time study.

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

There is no formal national benchmark for Masters level programmes in Environmental Studies. In addition, multi- disciplinary programmes are, by their nature diverse in content. Nevertheless the following reference points provide a benchmark for programme development and delivery, though not for content.

  • The Framework for Higher Education Qualifications
  • University Learning and Teaching Strategy
  • Departmental teaching and learning policies
  • The research interests and specialist expertise of the contributing teaching staff and their professional involvement in the discipline.

 

Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma

The awards of Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma are offered as Level 7 awards in their own right and are different from the MSc in terms of their scope, but not their level. Students who do  not  achieve  sufficient  credits  to  be  awarded  an  MSc  may  nevertheless  accumulate sufficient credits for a Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma and will be offered such awards in compliance with general regulations.

All the awards comply with the University Learning and Teaching Strategy, the Departmental Teaching and Learning policies, and reflect the research interests and specialist expertise of the teaching staff and their professional involvement in the discipline.

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:

ES

K1

Expertise in a number of environmental and related topics.

X

K2

How to apply an interdisciplinary approach to environmental issues

X

K3

Skills in research on environmental and related topics

 

X

K4

How to apply research skills to problem solving

X

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

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

ES

C1

Demonstrate competence in the use of IT

X

C2

Communicate  competently and confidently using a variety of presentation skills including written and oral

X

C3

Demonstrate familiarity with research methodology and sources of information

X

C4

Evaluate information critically

X

C5

Collect, record, analyse and interpret data and communicate findings effectively.

X

C6

Setlearning objectives and satisfy these on a personal level

X

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

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

ES

P1

Show competence in the use of IT

X

P2

Interpret data and use statistical techniques

X

P3

Show an understanding of European and UK legislation regarding environmental issues

X

P4

Demonstrate an ability to interpret and communicate to others, a broad understanding of environmental topics.

X

c. Key transferable skills:

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

ES

T1

Demonstrate communication skills using a variety of media including: report writing, personal and presentation skills, IT, critical appraisal and problem solving capabilities, project management and team work skills.

X

T2

Show interpersonal skills associated with communicating and working effectively, on a personal level within a working group and on a professional level with other experts in their field.

X

T3

Apply a substantial amount of what they have learned on the course to a major aspect of their future work and be motivated to continue the process of transfer of learning.

X

4. Programme structure

In this table X indicates a compulsory module and o indicates an optional module.

Code

Title

Weight

Semester

ES

CMP015

Research Methods

15

1

X

ELP031

Sustainability, and Energy Systems

15

1

o

ELP033

Solar Power 1

15

1

o

ELP034

Wind Power 1

15

1

o

ELP035

Water Power 1

15

1

o

ELP036

Biomass 1

15

1

o

CVP201

Management of Water and Sanitation

15

1

o

CVP202

Water and Environmental Sanitation

15

1

o

CVP218

Integrated Water Resource Management

15

1

o

CMP016

Professional Development Project

15

2

X

CMP047

Dissertation

60

2

X

MPP558

Sustainable Use of Materials

15

2

o

ELP032

Integration of Renewables

15

2

o

ELP038

 Energy Storage

 10

 2

 ELP044

 Energy System Investment and Risk Management

 10

 2

ELP039

Solar Thermal Systems

10

2

o

ELP040

Advanced Photovoltaics

10

2

o

ELP041

Wind Power 2

10

2

o

CVP204

Water Source Development

15

2

o

CVP215

Small Scale Water Supply and Sanitation

15

2

o

CVP219

Solid Waste Management

15

2

o

CVP223

Water Utilities Management

15

1

o

CVP227

Data collection, analysis and research

15

1

o

CVP212

Environmental Assessment

15

2

o

All candidates make choices from the option modules listed above in accordance with requirements for PGCert, PGDip or MSc as set out in regulation XX1.

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

5.1  Each module in the programme will be assessed and credit awarded in accordance with the levels of achievement specified in Regulation XX1.

5.2  Candidates are required to accumulate the following credits in order to be eligible for the awards from this programme:

(a)  PGCert: 60 credits including 15 credits from module CMP015

(b)  PGDip: 105 credits including 30 credits from modules CMP015 and CMP016, plus a mark of not less than 40% in a further module with a weight of 15.

(c)  MSc: 150 credits including 30 credits from modules CMP015 and CMP016 and 60 credits from a Research Project/Dissertation listed above, plus marks of not less than 40% in further modules with a combined weight of 30.

 5.3 Candidates may in accordance with Regulation XX1 import up to 60 credits from other programmes, including credits gained at other institutions, provided that these are from appropriate programmes leading to the award of Masters degrees.

 5.4 Students who fail the assessment at their first attempt are allowed the opportunity for reassessment in accordance with regulation XX1. Reassessments will take place at a time specified by the module specification, which will be either in the Special Assessment Period or Next Academic Year.

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

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