Loughborough University
Leicestershire, UK
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Loughborough University

Programme Specifications

Programme Specification

MSc Environmental Monitoring, Research and Management (January 2021 intake)

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:

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

Programme summary

Awarding body/institution Loughborough University
Teaching institution (if different) N/A
Owning school/department School of Social Sciences and Humanities
Details of accreditation by a professional/statutory body

N/A

Final award MSc (PG Dip., PG Cert. as exit awards only)
Programme title Environmental Monitoring, Research and Management
Programme code GYPT42 (full time); GYPT43 (part time)
Length of programme 1 year full-time; typically 2 years part-time
UCAS code N/A
Admissions criteria
Date at which the programme specification was published Sun, 21 Jun 2020 13:53:11 BST

1. Programme Aims

The aims of the programme are to enable students to: 

  • acquire the necessary skills for measuring, analysing and evaluating data, as appropriate for the specific applications of environmental monitoring, research and management;
  • gain a deep theoretical understanding of natural processes and systems operating across a variety of environments;
  • develop abilities in a range of advanced monitoring and research methods applicable to understanding different aspects of the environment with a view to achieving management goals;
  • 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 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
  • Part B: Assuring and Enhancing Academic Quality

Subject Benchmark Statement for Geography, QAA, December 2014

Subject Benchmark Statement for Earth Sciences, Environmental Sciences and Environmental Studies, QAA October 2014

Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES) through the Committee of Heads of Environmental Sciences (CHES) accreditation documents

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

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

K1        how environmental data informs monitoring of, research into and management of environmental systems;

K2        a range of field and computer-based methods, tools and techniques for collection and analysis environmental data for research and scientific problem solving;

K3        the theories explaining the dynamics of key environmental systems including rivers, lakes and atmosphere.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

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

C1       select, execute and evaluate research methodologies in environmental sciences;

C2       critically assess the theories and concepts that underpin the management of environmental processes and systems;

C3       critically interpret data to make scientifically rigorous arguments;

C4       conduct an original piece of research on environmental processes which demonstrates theoretical rigour and robust data analysis.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

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

P1        design experiments and deploy a variety of instruments to collect environmental data in the field, including appropriate laboratory analytical techniques;

P2        employ geospatial data techniques (e.g. GIS and modelling) for analysis and presentation of environmental data;

P3        use industry standard analytical software tools, and employ computer programming-led approaches to tackle environmental questions;

P4        access and evaluate a wide range of secondary environmental data sources;

P5        interpret, write-up and present quantitative and qualitative environmental research.

c. Key transferable skills:

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

T1        work effectively individually and in teams to meet deadlines and solve complex problems;

T2        relate their own practice as learners and researchers to the requirements of private and public-sector employment in environmental science and management;

T3        critically analyse numerical data from a variety of sources;

T4        identify, retrieve, organise and exchange relevant information from conventional and web sources;

T5        plan the resource allocation (e.g. cost, time, equipment) for a research proposal;

T6        evaluate the risks involved in collecting environmental data for monitoring and research purposes, and develop safe work mitigation strategies to reduce this risk;

T7        effectively assimilate and communicate material of a technical nature in written, oral and graphical form, appropriately incorporating the use of ICT.

4. Programme structure

FULL TIME (1 year programme) 

Semesters 1 and 2, 2020/2021 (January to June 2021)

Compulsory modules  (15 credits) 

Code

 Title

Credits

GYP040

Research and Professional Practice (Sem 1: 10 credits; Sem 2: 5 credits)

15

 

Semester 2, 2020/2021 (February to June 2021)

Compulsory modules  (60 credits) 

Code

 Title

Credits

GYP044

Tools for River Research and Management

15

GYP045

Research-Informed Environmental Management

15

GYP046

Geospatial Risk Modelling for Management

15

GYP047

Environmental Monitoring of Wind

15

 

Semester 3, 2020/2021 (June to September 2021)

Compulsory modules  (60 credits) 

Code

 Title

Credits

GYP500

Dissertation in Environmental Monitoring, Research and Management

60

 

Semester 1, 2021/2022 (October 2021 to January 2022)

Compulsory modules  (45 credits) 

Code

 Title

Credits

GYP041

Lake Research and Management

15

GYP042

GIS for Environmental Management

15

GYP043

Hydroclimatological Monitoring and Modelling

15

 

 

PART TIME (2 year programme) 

Students must choose a minimum of 15 modular credits in each semester, and no more than 45 in any one semester excluding GYP040 (Research and Professional Practice) and GYP500 (Dissertation in Environmental Monitoring, Research and Management). Over the two year part-time programme, students must take a total of 120 modular credits excluding GYP500 Dissertation in Environmental Monitoring, Research and Management. 

YEAR ONE 

Semesters 1 and 2, 2020/2021 (January/February 2021)

Code

 Title

Credits

GYP040

Research and Professional Practice (Sem 1: 10 credits; Sem 2: 5 credits)

15

 

Semester 2, 2020/2021 (February to June 2021)

Student must choose a minimum of 30 credits and no more than 45 credits

Code

 Title

Credits

GYP044

Tools for River Research and Management

15

GYP045

Research-Informed Environmental Management

15

GYP046

Geospatial Risk Modelling for Management

15

GYP047

Environmental Monitoring of Wind

15

Semester 1, October 2021 to January 2022

Students must choose a minimum of 15 credits and no more than 45 credits

Code

 Title

Credits

GYP041

Lake Research and Management

15

GYP042

GIS for Environmental Management

15

GYP043

Hydroclimatological Monitoring and Modelling

15

 

 

YEAR TWO

Semesters 2, 3 and 1

Code

 Title

Credits

GYP800

Dissertation in Environmental Monitoring, Research and Management (part-time) (Sem 2: 15; Sem 3: 30; Sem 1: 15)

60

 

Semester 2, 2022/2023 (February to June 2022)

Students must choose a minimum of 30 credits and no more than 45 credits excluding modules of the same title completed during Year One.

Code

 Title

Credits

GYP044

Tools for River Research and Management

15

GYP045

Research-Informed Environmental Management

15

GYP046

Geospatial Risk Modelling for Management

15

GYP047

Environmental Monitoring of Wind

15

Semester 1, 2022/2023 (October 2022 to January 2023)

Students must choose a minimum of 15 credits and no more than 45 credits excluding modules of the same title completed during Year One.

Code

 Title

Credits

GYP041

Lake Research and Management

15

GYP042

GIS for Environmental Management

15

GYP043

Hydroclimatological Monitoring and Modelling

15

 

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

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

With the exclusion of module GYP500/GYP800 (Dissertation in Environmental Monitoring, Research and Management), 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

Not applicable

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