PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION: MSc Sustainable Environments About the course 1 Name of course and highest award 2 Level of highest award (according to FHEQ) MSc Sustainable Environments 7 3 Possible interim awards Postgraduate Certificate Postgraduate Diploma 4 Awarding/validating institution University of Gloucestershire 5 Teaching institution University of Gloucestershire 6 Faculty responsible Applied Sciences 7 Mode of study Full-time, part-time 8 QAA subject benchmark statement(s) where relevant 9 Recognition by Professional, Statutory or Regulatory Body (PSRB), to include definition of the recognition 10 Other external points of reference n/a None QAA (2008) The framework for higher education qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland 11 Date of initial validation May 2012 12 Date(s) of revision NA 13 Course aims The course aims to: equip students with the skills for negotiating, advising on and leading change towards a more sustainable society; promote in students the advanced scientific and social scientific conceptual understanding and critical, holistic evaluation skills which underpins informed and effective management of environments; provide students with the opportunity to develop and demonstrate practical techniques relevant to a range of professional contexts, including laboratory and field work and project management enable students to become highly competent and responsible investigators, and effective communicators, facilitators and enablers in registers suitable for academic, policy and commercial contexts; 1
contribute directly to sustainable economic development locally and more widely afield, by offering continuing professional development to sustainability and development practitioners, informed by the priorities of external stakeholders. Develop in students an appreciation of the interplay of processes at global, continental, national and regional scale which have a bearing upon sustainable environments, drawing on examples particularly from the UK, Europe and selected developed and developing countries 14 Learning outcomes of the course On successful completion of this course, students will: 1. Have a deep and systematic understanding within their specialist field, demonstrating skills, knowledge of, and ability to apply, emerging principles, theories and methodological approaches with potential to underpin a more sustainable relationship between society and environment; 2. Demonstrate a facility for integrated analysis and purposive action across a range of academic disciplines and professional domains relevant to holistic environmental management and community development; 3. Be equipped with the critical evaluative skills for designing substantial investigations, selecting methodological approaches, operating ethically and safely, and undertaking analyses of complex, incomplete or contradictory evidence; 4. Have developed proficiency in a range of primary data collection, analysis, synthesis and evaluation techniques for environmental and social research and decision making; 5. Act with initiative in identifying challenges to sustainable environments, planning and delivering projects to professional standards and using recognised project management methodologies, and making reasoned and robust judgements and recommendations; 6. Be enabled to work effectively with, and lead, cross-disciplinary teams, making good/productive use of the capacities of members with different skill-sets, knowledge bases and values; 7. Operate confidently in complex and unfamiliar contexts, applying knowledge flexibly and creatively, and generating transformative solutions; 8. Develop a critical understanding of local, national and international policy frameworks relevant to sustainability, and appreciate the conflicts and synergies between economic development, social change, and environmental protection and enhancement; 9. Be sensitive to the needs of diverse stakeholders, and the role of the expert in public engagement and participation; 10. Communicate effectively in registers suitable for academic, professional and commercial audiences; 11. Be self-sustaining, critically reflective practitioners. 2
15. Learning and teaching strategy Student achievement and demonstration of Programme Outcomes are directed by Module Learning Outcomes, illustrated by the grid below. The student s choice of module options will determine the specific manner in which they will be able to demonstrate the Outcomes. If they wish, students can choose to follow specialist pathways in Managing Environments for Sustainability or Developing Sustainable Communities. Learning Outcomes Modules 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 NS7901 X X X X X X X NS7902 X X X X X X NS7903 X X X X X NS7904 X X X X X NS7905 X X X X X NS7906 X X X X NS7907 X X X X X NS7908 X X X X X X NS7909 X X X X X NS7910 X X X X X X NS7999 X X X X X X X X NS7002 X X X X X X X X 16 Learning and teaching methods Core knowledge, understanding and skills are acquired through the scheduled learning and teaching activities of lectures, seminars, laboratory practicals, fieldwork, workshops and tutorials. These activities are delivered in primarily in short, intensive blocks, using participatory learning approaches and a problem-based learning method. As befits a programme focused on professional development, where appropriate students own experiences will be drawn upon in exploring the challenges facing practitioners. Scheduled learning activities are also delivered via synchronous on-line webinars. Students independent learning is supported by effective use of the University s Virtual Learning Environment (Moodle). Level 7 Scheduled learning and teaching 15% activities Guided independent learning 85% Placement and study abroad 0% 17 Assessment strategy The modes of assessment employed in this course are designed to provide students with opportunities to: expand their specialist knowledge and develop their preferred areas of specialist expertise; develop a capacity for critical evaluation of theories, data, policies and plans, and an appreciation of alternative approaches to solving real-world problems; practice the subject-specialist skills and industry-standard techniques relevant to their chosen careers; 3
develop the general skills and aptitudes required to operate effectively at professional level, including primary research skills and the ability to present materials in modes and registers suitable for different audiences. 18 Assessment methods The table below indicates the typical proportion of different types of summative assessment (note that this will vary by module choice). Level 7 Written exams 0% Practical exams 0% Coursework 100% 19 Location(s) of the course s delivery 20 Admissions requirements University of Gloucestershire campuses in Cheltenham and Gloucester The minimum entry qualification for study towards an award is a 2:2 Honours Degree, or equivalent international qualification, or equivalent experience and learning. 21 Career and employability opportunities The course combines an emphasis on the latest relevant scholarship with an exploration of how this informs practice in the range of professions dealing with environmental and community sustainability. Students are set tasks which replicate real-world scenarios, and assessment develops and tests skills essential to middle or higher management or consultancy roles in the sector. Students will learn from realworld, applied research experience of the interplay of processes at global, continental, national and regional scale which have a bearing upon sustainable environments. Modules can be taken individually as continuing professional development, and learning and assessment activities will be tailored to allow students who are already practitioners to address current challenges in their work. 22 Management of Quality and Standards Information on the University s approach to the management of quality and standards is contained in the Quality Assurance Handbook, Academic Regulations for Taught Provision, Assessment Principles and Procedures, and associated sources of advice. All regulations, policies and procedures are aligned with QAA reference points. Quality assurance is undertaken as close as possible to the point of delivery. There is a route from the module level to courses and through to faculty and University levels so that issues can be addressed and delivery enhanced in the appropriate arena. Externality and comparability are guaranteed via external examiner reports which allow the University to make judgements on the quality and standards of its provision. The University also benefits from the input of externals in its approval and review procedures. Students are able to comment on their modules and courses in various ways including module evaluations, course boards and the NSS. 4
23 Support for Students and for Student Learning Students are supported by a MSc course leader, an Academic Review Tutor and a Dissertation Advisor. Direct contact with module tutors is complemented by a Virtual Learning Environment through the Moodle platform. At University level, students are able to access information, advice and guidance offered by the Student Services teams through the campus based Helpzones. Further general and programme specific support is available through Library and Information Services. 24 Current Course Map MSc Sustainable Environments Course Leader: Chris Short Senior Tutor: Jon Hobson Notes: To achieve your intended award you must meet the overall award requirements and the Course requirements. Award Requirements For Postgraduate Certificate Pass 60 CATS from the Course map below For Postgraduate Diploma Meet the requirements for the Postgraduate Certificate Pass 120 CATS in total from the Course map below Pass compulsory modules from the Course map below For MSc Meet the requirements for the Postgraduate Diploma Pass 180 CATS in total from the Course map below Pass compulsory modules from the Course map below Course Requirements: To complete your Postgraduate Diploma you must pass the following compulsory modules: NS7901 Understanding Sustainable Environments 30 CATS YEAR NS7902 Applied Project Management 15 CATS SEM 2 To complete your MSc you must pass the following compulsory modules: NS7999 Dissertation 60 CATS YEAR Other modules which can count towards the requirements of your Course are: NS7903 Applied Ecology and Conservation 15 CATS SEM1 NS7904 Governance for Sustainable Environments 15 CATS SEM1 NS7905 Climate Change: Mitigation and Adaptation 15 CATS SEM1 NS7906 Geographic Information Systems: Mapping and Remote Sensing 15 CATS SEM1 NS7907 Environmental Pollution and Remediation 15 CATS SEM2 NS7908 Sustainable Communities 15 CATS SEM2 NS7909 Sustainable Food, Food Security and Society 15 CATS SEM2 NS7910 Environmental Assessment: EIA, SEA and Ecosystem Services 15 CATS SEM2 NS7002 The Practitioner Consultant 15 CATS SEM2 5