MSc / PG Dip Environmental Assessment & Management
1.
Background and Programme Outline
Environmental Assessment and Management (EAM) is a growth area. This is partly associated
with increasing environmental awareness in all walks of life, to the extent that the environmental
impacts of developments are rarely out of the news. It also reflects recent legislation, for
example (1) the 1985 European Union Directive on environmental impact assessment (EIA),
amended in 1997, which became law in the UK in March 1999 and which requires EIAs to be
undertaken for a range of major developments; and (2) the 2001 EU Directive on Strategic
Environmental Assessment, which requires the assessment of many sectoral plans such as
waste, tourism, agriculture, land use, energy and transport.
The MSc/PGDiploma Programme in Environmental Assessment and Management examines
the principles, procedures and methods of EAM against the background of current British
planning regulations, the amended 1985 EC Directive, the 2001 Directive, and international
policy. Although the Programme's main emphasis is on environmental assessment, it considers
management in two senses: management of the environment and project co-ordination. The
Programme adopts an integrative approach to demonstrate the complementary roles of natural
resource management and planning. Practical experience of methods is provided, and there
are opportunities to study related subjects by means of optional modules.
2.
2.1
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE AND CONTENT
Module Credit System
The Programme is organised on a module credit basis. One postgraduate module represents 20
M-level credits. Each 20 credit module involves 36 hours of staff contact, which is normally
timetabled as weekly three-hour sessions over 12 weeks during which time students are
expected to be in attendance at the University. Each 20 credit module represents 200 hours of
student effort. MSc students will complete 6 taught modules plus a triple module dissertation
(incorporating a half module in research methods), in 12 months. Part-time students will take
four / five modules per 12 months.
2.2
MSc/PGDiploma Linkage
The Programme is offered as an MSc, with the PG Diploma qualification exceptionally available
as a terminal award. The aim of the taught modules is to provide a framework of current
knowledge and skills in the field of EAM. The additional dissertation requirement for MSc
candidates provides an opportunity to develop research skills through individual investigation of
specific aspects of EAM. The MSc is awarded after successful completion of 9 modules (the 6.5
taught modules and the dissertation). The MSc Programme is worth 180 M-level credits. The
PGDiploma is worth 120 M-level credits. The PGDiploma is only available as a terminal award
for those students who have successfully completed the required taught modules, but who
exceptionally do not wish to, or are unable to, progress to the MSc.
2.3 Programme Elements and Structure
The PG Diploma in Environmental Assessment and Management consists of the core modules
listed in Section 2.3.1, and two option modules. The MSc in Environmental Assessment and
Management requires in addition the completion of the dissertation (2.5 modules).
Figure 1 shows the structure of the Programme. Students are advised not to take more than 4
modules in any given semester.
2.3.1 Core Modules
These focus on the central issues involved in EAM:
P38303 Principles of Environmental Assessment and Management (single module; 20 M
credits) sets EIA and SEA in the context of sustainability, environmental policy making and the
derivation of environmental values. It addresses the availability and use of environmental
resources, reviews methods for conserving these resources, and discusses the aims and
interactions of various interest groups, and methods of public participation in environmental
decision-making.
P38305 Ecosystem Degradation and Management (single module; 20 M credits) reviews the
nature and extent of ecosystem degradation resulting from human activities, with emphasis on
Britain and Europe, and gives an overview of possible methods for conserving, restoring and
managing ecosystems.
P38306 Procedures and Methods for EAM (double module; 40 M credits) examines the
processes and procedures used in carrying out an EIA, with particular reference to Amended
EC Directive 85/337. It provides a practical introduction to methods for assessing, predicting
and mitigating a wide range of ecological and socio-economic impacts. It emphasises fieldwork
and case studies, and cross-cutting issues such as significance, modelling and risk assessment.
P38309 Research Methods for EAM and EMT (0.5 module; 10 M credits) is a half module
taken in association with the dissertation P38399. It encourages students to develop skills
needed to research environmental issues, including the formulation of research problems and
methodology, data collection and analysis, and computing skills. It includes initial guidance in
the planning and execution of the dissertation.
2.3.2 P37699 The dissertation (2.5 modules; 50 M credits) MSc only
This is a substantial individual research study of around 15,000 words. It allows students to
develop and apply research skills in a specific area of investigation in EAM. A wide range of
topics and approaches is possible. The dissertation can be started earlier than shown in Figure
1, and part-time students in particular are advised to start early. Guidance on the planning and
execution of the dissertation is given by the module leader, and subsequently by individual
supervisors. The dissertation can involve external organisations, provided it remains an
academic study.
2.3.3 Option Modules
These provide an opportunity for students to either widen or deepen their field of study. A
student may be excluded from taking an option when he or she has previously passed the same
or a similar subject. There are two types of option module as follows:
(i) Recommended Option Modules - particularly relevant to the Programme
P10010 Environmental Management Systems is an introduction to environmental
management, to the systems and approaches which are being increasingly used in industry and
commerce to meet the challenge of sustainable development and to monitor and improve their
environmental performance.
P38333 GIS and Environmental Modelling is concerned with the practical application of
Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and a variety of other computer-based modelling
techniques as powerful tools to assist in environmental decision making.
P38350 Strategic Environmental Assessment introduces the concept of Strategic
Environmental Assessment (SEA), its principles and the status of SEA around the world. The
links between SEA, environmental impact assessment, and strategic decision-making and a
wide range of SEA tools and techniques and their advantages and disadvantages in various
settings.
P37602 Spatial Planning in Action presents an analysis and assessment of the structure,
objectives and responsibilities underlying the practice of spatial planning from a UK perspective.
The legal basis and administrative aspects of planning decision-making are introduced,
including development plan making, development control and the appeals process.
P10012 Management of Waste & Contaminated Land. Contaminated land is largely the result
of earlier unsustainable practices employed in handling and disposing of waste materials. The
two subjects are therefore integrally linked and this module starts by examining current waste
management policies and practices, which will minimise the risk of creating further tracts of
contaminated land, before going on to consider the strategies and techniques now being
employed to investigate and remediate contaminated sites.
Figure 1: MSc/PG Dip – Environmental Assessment and Management (Full-Time)
Semester 1
Semester 2
Summer
P38303
Principles of EAM
P38306
Procedures and Methods
of EAM
(20 M Credits)
(40 M Credits)
P38305
Ecosystem
Degradation
Management
and
P37699
MSc Dissertation
(20 M Credits)
PG option module
(50 M Credits)
PG option module
P38309
Research Methods
(10 M Credits)
Compulsory Modules
Option Modules *
(Maximum of 40 credits)
PG Certificate = Not available
PG Diploma = P38303, P38305, P38306 plus 40 M credits of option modules = 120 M level Credits
MSc = PG Dip + P38309 (Research Methods) and P38399 (Dissertation) = 180 M level credits
* from:
P10010 Environmental Management Systems (20 credits, Semester 1)
P37602 Spatial Planning in Action (20 credits, Semester 1)
P10012 Management of Waste & Contaminated Land (20 credits, Semester 1)
P38162 Globalisation, Environment & Development (20 credits, Semester 1)
P10011 Pollution Measure & Analysis (20 credits, Semester 1)
P38350 Strategic Environmental Assessment (20 credits, Semester 2)
P38333 GIS & Environmental Modelling (20 credits, Semester 2)
P38331 Environmental Law & Decision Making (20 credits, Semester 2)
P38388 Independent Study Module (20 credits, Semester 1 or 2)
P38088 Environmentally Sustainable Business (20 credits, Semester 2)
(ii) Alternative Option Modules - selected from an approved list of Programmes currently
running in the University
P38331 Environmental Law and Decision Making examines the international, European and
UK legal context of environmental decision-making. This considers the development of
environmental law from international treaties and conventions into European and UK legislation.
In particular, the module focuses on key areas of environmental law and the assessment
procedures established by European Directives.
P38088 Environmentally Sustainable Business reviews the role that business has in
reducing the burden on the natural environment. It considers the pressures on business to
contribute to this challenge and the range of management frameworks and techniques that are
evolving in response.
P38162 Globalisation, Environment and Development This module provides a critical
examination of globalisation processes, global environmental problems and their relationship
with the development process. Issues around global systems theory, industrialisation, trade,
debt, aid, transport, communications, food, agriculture and the environment are reviewed.
P10011 Pollution Measurement and Analysis - A review of pollution survey design and
implementation, to include an examination of sampling principles and practice, sample handling
and storage, analysis options, data quality control and data interpretation. The approach used
will encourage the development of practical skills and an understanding of the problems and
uncertainties associated with different types of measurements and analyses. The practical
element will also allow students to gain experience in monitoring a diversity of environmental
media and to set the data collected into the context of environmental management and policy
monitoring.
Module P38388 Independent Study module. This involves individual work on an appropriate
topic or set of topics, conducted under supervision and with prior approval of the Programme
Leaders.