| Module | Credits | Compulsory/optional |
|---|
| 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. |
| Environmental Management Tools and Methods | 15 Credits | Compulsory |
| 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 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. |
| 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 |
| Sustainability & Environmental Systems | 15 Credits | Compulsory |
| This module explores the philosophy and concepts underpinning sustainability and sustainable development, and their implementation via the sustainable development goals. It considers natural cycles, focussing on the carbon cycle and climate change, as well as links to other global environmental challenges such as pollution, biodiversity loss and food production, providing a basis for an understanding of global, regional, and local environmental issues. The module explains the impacts of organisations and business processes, products and services on the environment and society, and the module demonstrates how proper understanding of external drivers can lead to improved business management. Methods and tools for improving environmental performance are introduced including environmental management systems and the circular economy. The module identifies areas where environmental issues are interlinked (e.g., energy and climate change; biodiversity, environmental change and agricultural production; consumption and pollution) and signposts to other modules which cover these issues in more detail. |
| 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, taking into account global sustainability and wider geo pollical aspects. 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 based elements such as group audit exercise 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. |
| Sustainable Energy | 15 Credits | Optional |
| The module explores key issues relating to sustainable energy and climate change in the context of spatial and transport planning and the environment, including its management in the UK and globally, including through the IPCC, UN SDGs, and UK climate change targets and net zero goals. To appreciate the problems, students first need to understand the main energy sources and broad patterns of energy consumption. The module also then explores the use of and interaction between place based, behaviour change and technical solutions in relation to energy sources and use. The module draws on examples of good practice from the UK and internationally. Climate change is an increasingly significant consideration requiring planners, transport planners and energy and environmental managers to develop positive adaptation and mitigation strategies. To make informed decisions about responses to climate change, students need to understand where to find reliable and robust data sources which can be justified as part of a critical evaluation of energy use and climate change. Students will understand the impacts of energy use on the environment at 0 variety of spatial scales, from international to the individual and the impacts in relation to planning, transport and the environment. |
| 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: UN sustainable development goals and their shaping effect on environmental policy and governance; 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. |
| Integrated Waste & 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 investigating and remediating damaged environments. It also investigates the environmental and financial benefits of waste and pollution management methodologies, e.g., composting, energy from waste, etc., 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 addresses the causes and sources of ground and surface water pollution, and the management and treatment of wastewater and trade effluent. The hazards of wastewater disposal are considered, together with greywater use and re-use, and relevant legislation and regulation. The module explores the design and operation of wastewater treatment plants to meet environmental standards and avoid nuisance. The module includes field and lab-based elements. Biomonitoring and chemical monitoring may be conducted at a local river and in the laboratory. |
| Ecology & 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 and quality. Topics covered are: The principles of strategic planning of water resources at, 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; and its relationship with water pollution control, National (UK) 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. The threats to the quality of water resources, the quantification of risk and the measures taken to protect them. |
| 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 environmental science. Their relevance in a broader global sustainability 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 covered 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 caused by e.g., agricultural run-off 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 |
| Understanding & Managing Change | 15 Credits | Compulsory |
| This module explores the management theories and skills required to understand and manage social and technical transitions towards more sustainable, resource efficient ways to operate organizations. Topics will include understanding transitions to sustainable regimes; how organisations move towards becoming more responsible and sustainable; understanding the elements required to design business models that make operations in a variety of organisations, including transport operations, more sustainable. |
| 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 and note taking in lectures Choosing reliable sources Use of text references and avoiding plagiarism/collusion Writing assignments Teamwork Time and project management The use of Excel formulae Exam preparation Oral presentation and visual materials e.g., PowerPoint and preparing a poster Using maps and GIS software to support research. |
