Programme Specification
MSc International Water and Sanitation Engineering
Academic Year: 2020/21
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:
- Reg. XXI (Postgraduate Awards) (see University Regulations)
- Module Specifications
- Summary
- Aims
- Learning outcomes
- Structure
- Progression & weighting
Programme summary
Awarding body/institution | Loughborough University |
Teaching institution (if different) | |
Owning school/department | School of Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering |
Details of accreditation by a professional/statutory body | The MSc, PG Diploma and PG Certificate are accredited by the Charted Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) for student intakes in academic years up to and including academic year 2020 – 2021. The MSc is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM), for student intakes up to and including academic year 2020 – 2021, as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for a Chartered Engineer (CEng) for candidates who have already acquired an Accredited CEng (Partial) BEng (Hons) undergraduate first degree. See www.jbm.org.uk for further information. |
Final award | MSc, PGDip, PGCert |
Programme title | International Water and Sanitation Engineering |
Programme code | CVPT70 |
Length of programme | MSc: 1 year full-time, Diploma: 9 months full-time, Certificate: 4 months full-time |
UCAS code | |
Admissions criteria | |
Date at which the programme specification was published | Mon, 22 Jun 2020 17:00:43 BST |
1. Programme Aims
This programme is for graduate engineers and scientists who wish to develop careers in delivering water and environmental sanitation infrastructure for low and middle-income countries. It aims to:
• provide the multidisciplinary knowledge and skills to assess, design, implement and operate water and environmental sanitation infrastructure, with a focus on low- and middle-income countries;
• develop a critical approach to the global principles and local practice of sustainable public health infrastructure for all levels of consumers;
• equip students with appropriate expertise and skills for relevant work in water and sanitation engineering for low- and middle-income countries; and
• encourage critical analysis through in-depth study of one specialist topic.
2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:
This specification has taken into account the descriptors for a qualification at Masters (MSc), Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) and Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) levels that are set out in the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
In the absence of benchmark statements for Engineering MSc programmes. the Subject Benchmark Statement for Engineering that applies to first degrees in engineering has been used to inform the drafting of intended learning outcomes but with the expectation that postgraduate students attain a higher level than undergraduate students in relevant outcomes. Note has also been taken of the Engineering Council document ‘The Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes (published May 2014) for Master Degrees other than the Integrated Masters (MEng) (Accredited as further learning to masters level, partially meeting the educational requirements for CEng)’.
In view of the management content of this programme the Subject Benchmark Statement for Master’s Awards in Business and Management has also been consulted. The programme draws on the core competencies required for membership of the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM), and the competencies for a water, sanitation and hygiene project manager published by a consortium of twelve international agencies (2017).
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:
PGCert:
K1 International and local initiatives and institutions that promote water and sanitation for all.
K2 the links between water and environmental sanitation infrastructure (including water resource management, water treatment and supply, excreta, wastewater, stormwater and solid waste treatment and disposal), hygiene behaviour, health and socio-economic development
K3 the key issues in relation to environmental and social impact, equity, effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability and replicability in planning and managing sustainable water and environmental sanitation infrastructure
K4 the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to the delivery of public health engineering and ways to integrate technical, social, economic and environmental considerations in project planning, design, implementation, operation, maintenance and evaluation.
K5 the planning, selection, design, construction and sustainable operation and maintenance of appropriate water and environmental sanitation technologies.
K6 the range of management, social, institutional, economic and environmental issues that ensure the sustainability of water and environmental sanitation infrastructure
PGDip and MSc: As above for PGCert and in addition:
K7 effective qualitative and quantitative data collection, analysis and dissemination.
3.2 Skills and other attributes
a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to...
PGCert:
C1 critically anlyse past and current programmes to deliver water and environmental sanitation infrastructure to unserved populations globally
C2 evaluate the needs of socially excluded groups and individuals within target populations
C3 critically appraise users’ water and environmental sanitation needs and demands based on conflicting and limited information
C4 critically appraise institutional, social, economic, environmental and technical constraints and compare possible solutions.
PGDip and MSc: As above for PGCert and in addition:
C5 develop appropriate sustainable technical options to meet users’ needs and demands for different service levels of water and environmental sanitation infrastructure
C6 investigate relevant emerging challenges facing the sector.
b. Subject-specific practical skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to…
PGCert:
P1 synthesize different socio-economic contexts and physical/ natural contexts
P2 select suitable laboratory tests and field surveys relating to the natural environment, social conditions, economic performance and physical condition of infrastructure
P3 choose appropriate methods to review, validate, analyse, interpret and communicate dissimilar data sets using appropriate methods.
PGDip and MSc: As above for PGCert and in addition:
P4 calculate key design parameters for various elements of appropriate water and environmental sanitation infrastructure.
c. Key transferable skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to…
PGCert:
T4 communicate effectively in writing, verbally and visually to disseminate quantitative and qualitative information and propose solutions
T6 demonstrate appropriate selection and use of IT.
PGDip: As above for PGCert and in addition:
T2 listen to and record a range of views, especially from socially excluded or vulnerable groups
T3 evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of working both as a member or leader of a team and as an individual
T5 demonstrate flexible working with the constraints of limited time, resources and information by initiating, planning, organising and prioritising activities in an ethical manner
MSc: As above for PGCert and PGDip and in addition:
T1 find and critically evaluate a variety of existing sources of data, information and knowledge where the quality and quantity of publications is limited.
4. Programme structure
4.1 Structure of MSc programme
Semester 1
Compulsory Modules
Code |
Module title |
Module Weight |
CVP319 |
Research Methods |
15 |
CVP400 |
Management of Water and Environmental Sanitation Infrastructure |
15 |
CVP401 |
Assessing Water Quality and Quantity |
15 |
CVP402 |
Rural Water Supply Engineering |
15 |
Semester 2
Compulsory Modules
Code |
Module title |
Module Weight |
CVP404 |
Household and Communal Sanitation Engineering |
15 |
CVP405 |
Appropriate Water Treatment and Distribution |
15 |
CVP406 |
Appropriate Sewerage and Sewage Treatment |
15 |
Optional Modules
One module from
Code |
Module title |
Module Weight |
CVP407 |
Disaster Risk Management |
15 |
CVP408 |
Humanitarian Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion |
15 |
Semesters 1 and 2
Compulsory Module
Code |
Module title |
Module Weight |
CVP292 |
Research Dissertation |
60 |
4.2 Structure of Postgraduate Diploma programme
The structure for the Postgraduate Diploma is as shown above for the MSc, but omitting study of the Research Dissertation module.
4.3 Structure of Postgraduate Certificate programme
Semester 1
Compulsory Modules
Code |
Module title |
Module Weight |
CVP319 |
Research Methods |
15 |
CVP400 |
Management of Water and Environmental Sanitation Infrastructure |
15 |
CVP401 |
Assessing Water Quality and Quantity |
15 |
CVP402 |
Rural Water Supply Engineering |
15 |
5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award
In order to be eligible for the award, candidates must satisfy the requirements of Regulation XXI.
6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the Purposes of Final Degree Classification
Not applicable.