Programme Specification
A statement of the knowledge, understanding and skills that underpin a
taught programme of study leading to an award from
The University of Sheffield
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Programme Title
Polar and Alpine Change
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Programme Code
GEOT130
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JACS Code
F800, F780, F760
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Level of Study
Postgraduate
5a
Final Qualification
Master of Science (MSc)
5b
QAA FHEQ Level
Masters
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Intermediate Qualification(s)
Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert)
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Teaching Institution (if not Sheffield)
Not applicable
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Faculty
Social Sciences
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Department
Geography
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Other Departments involved in
teaching the programme
None
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Modes of Attendance
Full-time and Part-time
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Duration of the Programme
1 year (Full-time), 2 years (Part-time)
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Accrediting Professional or Statutory
Body
None
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Date of REVISED
March 2010
15. Background to the programme and subject area
The programme explores environments, and underlying causes for change, in those cold climate parts of the
globe where current environmental and climate change are proceeding at the fastest rate. The course has a
strong research emphasis but is organized flexibly to target a range of different audiences including those
wishing to acquire specific skills before progressing to a PhD, continuing geography students, and those wishing
to embark on a government, industrial or commercial career in environmental assessment and management in a
polar or alpine environment. An exciting feature of the course is the core fieldtrip to an Arctic or alpine
environment, providing the students with field skills in a unique environment, and allowing access to Arctic and
alpine sites for dissertation fieldwork.
Course content is strongly influenced by the research interests, international contacts and expertise of staff in
this RAE Grade 5A department. The fieldtrip, in particular, is likely to expose students to scientists of other
countries working in cold climates, as well as staff from Sheffield. The programme is assessed through
coursework and examination with the most significant assessment element being the dissertation.
16. Programme aims
Our aims within the programme are as follows:
1. To develop theoretical and practical awareness at an advanced level of polar and alpine environments and
reasons for change in these environments.
2. To provide advanced training in scientific research methods with an emphasis on their application in polar
and alpine environmental analysis.
3. To provide training in generic research skills including project design and management, oral and written
communication and the use of information technology.
4. To develop a specialised substantive and research knowledge in a selected field of the polar or alpine
environment.
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5. To prepare students for postgraduate research (PhD) and/or for a variety of research related careers in the
public, private and voluntary sectors.
6. To prepare students for varied careers dealing with cold climate environments in the public, private or
voluntary sectors.
17. Programme learning outcomes
On graduation students achieving an award of Masters will have developed a knowledge and
understanding of:
K1
Field, laboratory and numerical methods in polar and alpine environments.
K2
The conceptual basis for the application of methods in K1 in both blue skies and applied research in the
context of the scientific method.
K3
How to design and formulate a research proposal and to undertake a research project.
K4
Polar and alpine science needed to proceed to PhD research in the same or related disciplines.
On graduation students achieving an award of Masters will have skills and other attributes to:
S1
Plan, design and execute a piece of rigorous research, including the production of a final report, and
demonstrate a critical understanding of the appropriate methodology.
S2
Demonstrate awareness of a substantial range of scientific research strategies, and of the developing
technologies associated with these strategies.
S3
Analyse polar and alpine environments by a variety of methods including field, laboratory and quantitative
methods.
S4
Conduct discussion, oral presentation, and task achievement within a collaborative context.
S5
Collect, interpret and combine different types of environmental evidence.
On graduation students achieving an award of Certificate will have developed a knowledge and understanding
of K1-K2 and S2-S4.
18. Teaching, learning and assessment
Development of the learning outcomes is promoted through the following teaching and learning
methods:
Knowledge and understanding is acquired through a series of compulsory and optional modules and delivered
primarily through lectures, seminars and field and laboratory classes. There is a strong emphasis placed on
small-group teaching with the students required to have practical, hands-on experience of techniques. Module
structure varies according to the needs of each topic, but typically a 15-credit module is made up of 20-30
contact hours, depending on whether practical skills need to be learnt. MOLE will be used to make outline notes,
data, computer models and other information needed for project work available. Independent learning is a key
element to developing the independent knowledge (especially K3 and K4) and skills (S1-S3), so that 120-130
hours per module are allocated for assimilation of materials, further reading, completion of practical work and
preparation of reports or presentations (S4). Skills and other attributes are primarily developed through field
classes, laboratory classes and workshops, and individual and group project work. A supervisor is allocated to
each student for the duration of their dissertation research.
Opportunities to demonstrate achievement of the learning outcomes are provided through the following
assessment methods:
Assessment of the core knowledge base (K1-K4) and skills and other attributes (S1-S5) rests upon written
coursework, oral presentations, examinations, and the dissertation.
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19. Reference points
The learning outcomes have been developed to reflect the following points of reference:

University teaching and learning policies

NERC guidelines on MSc course recognition

Staff research

The Framework for Higher Education Qualifications

The Department’s learning and teaching strategy
20. Programme structure and regulations
The programme is offered in full-time and part-time study mode. All MSc students take modules to the value of
180 credits, including 90 credits in the form of a dissertation. Taught modules to the value of 75 credits and a
dissertation module of 90 credits are compulsory in order to provide a strong, coherent core to the course, with a
further 15 credits being drawn from a range of modules linked to both this MSc and other MScs offered in the
department. Students not permitted to proceed to the dissertation or who fail the dissertation will be eligible for a
postgraduate certificate award by gaining 60 credits from core and optional modules during Semesters 1 and 2.
The full-time course is delivered over a twelve-month period. The taught modules are delivered over two
semesters (September to February, February to June). The dissertation is a year-long module that has its
preparation/proposal stage from September to February and main research stage from February to September.
It is suggested that the part-time course is delivered over four semesters with the dissertation being taken in
Year 2, but variations of this will be discussed with individual part-time students to enable a suitable workload
balance across Years 1 and 2.
Detailed information about the structure of programmes, regulations concerning assessment and progression
and descriptions of individual modules are published in the University Calendar available on-line at
http://www.shef.ac.uk/govern/calendar/regs
21. Student development over the course of study
The compulsory modules form a foundation of substantive knowledge and key research skills. Specifically,
students acquire a background in field, laboratory and quantitative research in geography and the environmental
sciences, as well as key philosophical and theoretical debates. The “current issues” module provides flexibility
for students to study in depth areas of the subject in which they are particularly interested. These modules
provide an appropriate basis for the preparation of the dissertation.
22. Criteria for admission to the programme
A minimum of an upper second-class honours degree from a British University (or an international equivalent) in
a relevant subject area. Candidates with other qualifications will be considered on an individual basis.
International students are also required to offer a suitable English language qualification, such as TOEFL
(minimum score of 550) or IELTS (an average score of 7 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component).
23. Additional information
This specification represents a concise statement about the main features of the programme and should be
considered alongside other sources of information provided by the teaching department(s) and the University. In
addition to programme specific information, further information about studying at The University of Sheffield can
be accessed via our Student Services web site at www.shef.ac.uk/ssid
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