| Module |
Credits |
Compulsory/optional |
|
Sustainability and Environmental Systems
|
15 Credits |
Compulsory |
| This module gives a basis for an understanding of a range of global, regional and local environmental issues. The module also explains the impacts of organisations and business processes, products and services on the environment and society. The philosophy and concepts underpinning sustainability, sustainable development and the role of environmental management are examined. The role of external drivers is explored and the module demonstrates how proper understanding of these drivers can lead to improved business management. Methods and tools for improving environmental performance are introduced including environmental management systems. The notion of the environment as a business opportunity is explored. |
|
Research Methods
|
15 Credits |
Compulsory |
| The module will introduce the main principles of research methodology, different approaches to solving a problem and the choice of appropriate research methodology. Natural science and social science research approaches will be explored including the development of the research question. Methods for sampling and data gathering will be described including experimentation, questionnaires, interviews, case studies, action research, content analysis and observation. Quantitative and qualitative data, its analysis, interpretation, presentation and reporting will be explored. A research proposal will be formulated with guidance from a project supervisor, which is relevant to the chosen pathway of environmental management, or environmental management for business, or environmental management for agriculture, or water and environmental management of sustainable planning. |
|
Foundation in Environmental Auditing
|
15 Credits |
Compulsory |
| This module provides the basic knowledge/awareness necessary to participate effectively in environmental audits and other related activities. It examines a range of audit types and their application to environmental protection and performance improvement. These include audits related to compliance, due diligence, risk issues (such as waste) and management systems. Audit principles and processes applicable to the audit types are covered. It introduces standards and guidelines, such as the ISO 14000 series, produced to ensure consistency and quality in the application of environmental management and auditing. The module will cover auditing skills and techniques, environmental legislation, identification and evaluation of environmental effects, performance monitoring, control and reporting. Practical sessions provide the opportunity to apply the skills necessary to assess environmental performance against policy, legislation and management commitments. It discusses preparation to be made before being audited. |
|
Integrated Farm Management
|
15 Credits |
Compulsory |
| Integrated Farming Management (IFM) is a whole farm management approach that can deliver efficient and profitable agricultural production that is also environmentally responsible. This module will provide a sound working knowledge of the philosophy and approaches that underpin European IFM. In contrast to its sister module (Agriculture & Environment), this module is concerned with on-farm practice-based environmental management. It will also include a visit to a farm to gain insight into how the techniques discussed within lectures are put into practice.
Subjects tackled include:
• Management and planning including UK regulatory compliance and auditing.
• Soil management, soil mapping and organic-fertiliser management, soil-water interactions.
• Integrated Pest Management.
• Water and energy efficiency and waste management.
• Managing erosion and non-point source pollution.
• Biodiversity, habitat management and land stewardship.
• Growing sustainability for specific markets - non-food cropping.
• Animal husbandry and welfare. |
|
Environmental Management for Agriculture Individual Research Project
|
45 Credits |
Compulsory |
| Students must carry out an independent research project and submit a dissertation and other assignments. The project is expected to address an environmental management topic in the field of agriculture. This may be based on an organisation, site or environmental management issue and may include the assessment of current environmental performance/options for environmental improvement, or the development of new methods for environmental management. |
|
Agriculture and Environment
|
15 Credits |
Compulsory |
| The module will introduce the causes and consequences of the main environmental impacts arising from agricultural systems in temperate climates and related activities with emphasis on the underpinning the environmental science. Their relevance in a broader global context will be considered. The techniques commonly used to evaluate the environmental implications of agricultural pollutants will be explored in combination with their advantages, disadvantages and limitations.
Subjects tackled include:
* agri-environmental policy and legislation;
* activities contributing to climate change and their evaluation;
* the fate, transport, impacts and ecotoxicology of agricultural pesticides;
* nutrient cycling and environmental pollution including the use of organic manures and organic amendments;
* use of agri-environmental indicators, benchmarking and other approaches to manage environmental quality;
* management and monitoring of on-farm habitats and biodiversity. |
|
Integrated Crop Protection
|
15 Credits |
Compulsory |
| This module will teach the biology of crop pathogens (fungal, viral and bacterial), pests (arthropods and nematodes) and weeds and explain how they cause losses in crop productivity in diverse agricultural environments. It will describe the principles and practice of disease and pest epidemics and the use of various strategies (chemical, biological and cultural) to mitigate their effects on crop production. The module will introduce the student to diagnostic methods (macroscopic, microscopic, immunological and molecular) to identify and confirm the identity of causal agents. The use of the scientific method to develop and evaluate crop management plans will be discussed in relationship to experimental design, data analysis and decision support systems. The dynamic nature of the threats of pathogens, pests and weeds as revealed by new invasions and pest distributions will be covered in relationship to climate change and its impact on trade and commerce |
|
Study Skills
|
0 Credits |
Compulsory |
| The content will cover finding and using reliable resources and how to use appropriate academic expression for different forms of academic communications including essays, reports, abstracts, executive summaries, essays, poster and oral presentations. Attention will be paid to ensuring that students have the skills necessary to use text matching software to avoid plagiarism and enhance scholarship skills. Teaching resources will also cover an introduction to using statistics and graphs, and there will be an in-class GIS session.
Indicative subjects include:
Effective reading
Choosing reliable sources
Use of text references and avoiding plagiarism
Writing assignments
Team work
Time and project management
The use of Excel, and introductory statistics etc
Exam preparation
Oral presentation and visual materials eg Powerpoint and preparing a poster
Using maps and GIS software to support research. |
|
Transport Policy & Travel Planning
|
15 Credits |
Optional |
| This module is divided into two distinct parts:
1.To provide a thorough introduction to sustainable transport planning and in particular to provide the necessary policy and legislative background to students to meet the requirements for these aspects of Transport Planning Professional qualifications. It will describe what transport planning is about, the various measures influencing transport, policies and politics, data collection assessment, legislation and implementation.
2.To provide an understanding of how to design, develop, implement and monitor a travel plan as an optional subject to meet the requirements of the Transport Planning Professional qualifications. This part is also designed for those promoting or regulating travel plans within governmental organisations.
The content of this course has been developed with the context of The Transport Planning Professional Qualifications. These have been developed by the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation, The Royal Town Planning Institute, The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport and the Institution of Civil Engineers. |
|
Sustainable Energy
|
15 Credits |
Optional |
| The module provides an overview of key issues relating to sustainable energy and climate change in the context of spatial planning in the UK. To understand the problems, students first need to understand the main energy sources and broad patterns of energy consumption. Climate change is an increasingly significant consideration for plan making. Planners and energy managers need develop positive adaptation and mitigation strategies. The module draws on examples of good practice from the UK and internationally. To make decisions about responses to climate change practitioners need data, particularly the information available through the UK Climate Impacts Programme. Energy use is an issue that cuts across spatial scales. While it is most commonly considered at the scale of the individual building it is also important at the neighbourhood and wider scale. Energy use and behaviour change issues provide an important balance to technical solutions proposed for individual buildings. |
|
Environmental Policy and Governance
|
15 Credits |
Optional |
| The module focuses on developing the students' knowledge and understanding of environmental policy and governance. In particular, the following topic areas may be considered: policy instruments available to protect the environment; environmental governance at a range of spatial levels; environmental policy making in government; how environmental law operates; and the role Environmental Management Systems can play in helping organisations achieve compliance with environmental protection measures. |
|
Environmental Management Tools and Methods
|
15 Credits |
Optional |
| This module examines the origins, application and use of a variety of tools that an organisation can employ to identify and manage the environmental impacts of its current and planned operations, or the products and services it provides. The tools studied may include environmental impact assessment, strategic environmental assessment, environmental review, life-cycle assessment, environmental risk assessment, environmental accounting methods and geographical information systems (GIS). The module encourages students to put the methods they learn into practice and to critically evaluate the effectiveness of each tool in different situations. The module considers approaches need to ensure each tool can be applied rigorously and the factors which can affect reliability, such as data quality. The synergies between the tools are identified, so that the best combination of tools can be employed for any given situation. |
|
Integrated Waste and Pollution Management
|
15 Credits |
Optional |
| This module provides a holistic and integrated approach to waste minimisation and management and pollution prevention and reduction. . The module examines managing the impact of waste and pollution on the receiving environment and remediating damaged environments. It also investigates the environmental and financial benefits of waste and pollution management methodologies and covers the economic and legislative drivers designed to reduce waste and prevent pollution. These include fiscal measures such as permit trading, recycling credits and landfill tax as well as statutory compliance, the waste hierarchy, costs and benefits. |
|
Water Pollution Control
|
15 Credits |
Optional |
| This module will cover the nature of wastewater disposal and treatment systems and the estimation of pollution load. It will discuss the types of trade effluent and their treatment and discharge control to sewers and receiving waters, including the roles of water service undertakers and environmental regulators; charging for wastewater discharges; the nature of raw sewage and the design and operation of wastewater treatment plants to meet environmental standards and avoid nuisance. The nature of sewage sludges and the design and operation of treatment and disposal systems to meet environmental standards, methods of sludge utilisation, the associated environmental controls and the operational management of facilities, approaches to wastewater monitoring and management, water recycling and the precautionary principle will be covered. Biomonitoring and chemical monitoring may be conducted at two local but very different rivers (e.g. Lee and Mimram) and an STW may be visited. The causes and management of ground and surface water pollution will be studied.
National and international aspects of water pollution control will be discussed. |
|
Ecology and Conservation
|
15 Credits |
Optional |
| A fundamental understanding of ecological principles and theory, and their relevance to conservation practice in the field will be provided. Current policy and legislative background, for both the UK and Europe, for the protection of habitats and species will be examined, including issues relating to biodiversity targets. Current techniques used to collect data, assess and manage biodiversity will be studied both in the classroom and the field. |
|
Water Resources
|
15 Credits |
Optional |
| This module will cover the nature and characteristics of groundwater and surface water resources and the factors affecting their uses. The critical factors in the strategic planning of water resources at international, national, regional and local levels to meet user demand, environmental protection and sustainable management needs. Water resources planning and management within the context of overall catchment planning; its relationship with water pollution control, river engineering, recreation and amenity. European and national water resources policy, the modern legal framework governing water resources management, the responsible organisations and interaction with interested parties. The management of water abstraction, the licensing process, consultation procedures, enforcement and the special procedures under drought and other emergencies. The threats to the quality of water resources, the quantification of risk and the measures taken to protect them. |
|
Managing Change for Environmental Management
|
15 Credits |
Optional |
| This module explores the management skills required to successfully embed sustainability into organisations. Topics that may be covered include: The need for more responsible and sustainable organisations; how organisations can move towards becoming more responsible and sustainable; and critical reflection on the policy and programmes that make up the sustainability strategies of organisations. |
