The Sustainability Professional (MSc)

Learning Outcomes

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Developing the skills necessary for self-managed and lifelong learning (eg working independently, time management and organisation skills).
• Communicating appropriately to a variety of audiences in written, verbal and graphical forms.
• Using the internet critically as a means of communication and a source of information.
• Solving numerical problems using computer and non-computer-based techniques.
• Identifying individual and collective goals and responsibilities and performing in a manner appropriate to these roles.
• Developing an adaptable and flexible approach to study and work.
• Identifying and working towards targets for personal, academic and career development.
• Evaluating performance as an individual and a team member.
• Preparing, processing, interpreting and presenting data, using appropriate qualitative and quantitative techniques and packages including geographic information systems.
• Receiving and responding to a variety of information sources (eg textual, numerical, verbal, graphical).
• Recognising and respecting the views and opinions of other team members.
• Appreciating issues of sample selection, accuracy, precision and uncertainty during collection, recording and analysis of data in the field and laboratory.

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Recognising and using subject-specific theories, paradigms, concepts and principles.
• Recognising the moral and ethical issues of investigations and appreciating the need for professional codes of conduct.
• Analysing, synthesising and summarising information critically, including prior research.
• Applying knowledge and understanding to complex and multidimensional problems in familiar and unfamiliar contexts.

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• The need for both a multi-disciplinary and an interdisciplinary approach in advancing knowledge and understanding of Earth systems, drawing, as appropriate, from the natural and the social sciences.
• The applicability of environmental science to the world of work.
• The contribution of environmental science to debate on environmental issues and how knowledge of these forms the basis for informed concern about the Earth and its people.
• The contribution of environmental science to the development of knowledge of the world we live in.
• Issues concerning the availability and sustainability of resources, for example, the different value sets relating to the Earth's resources as commodities and/or heritage.
• The terminology, nomenclature and classification systems used in environmental science.

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Collecting, recording and analysing data using appropriate techniques in the field and laboratory.
• Referencing work in an appropriate manner.
• Undertaking field and laboratory investigations in a responsible and safe manner, paying due attention to risk assessment, rights of access, relevant health and safety regulations, and sensitivity to the impact of investigations
• Planning, conducting, and reporting on environmental investigations, including the use of secondary data.

Typical Weekly Timetable - depending on availability of external guest speakers

Weeks 1 & 2. Module introduction and Professional Skills development

Weeks 3 to 10. Sustainability and Environmental Management - external expert led group workshops

Week 11. CV and interviews workshops - tips for how to get a job and develop your sustainability career

Week 12. Assessment workshop and module summary

N.B. The workshop areas vary to respond to a new area of scientific and policy importance in the sustainability professional world, but will always focus on the learning outcomes of the module. The order of workshops will vary depending upon the availability of external speakers.

Students will complete a series of weekly case study exercises, to be written up in the form of a summary analysis report to be submitted as a ‘Sustainability Portfolio’. Students will work in MSc groups to submit one full consultancy report as the primary assessment. By the completion of the module, all students will have a sophisticated professional level understanding of this diverse field, experience of working with experienced on case study exercises in a professional capacity, and high number of professional skills to add to their CVs.

Typical Weekly Timetable - depending on availability of external guest speakers (All sessions will be a triple timetable slot)

Weeks 1 & 2. Module introduction and Professional Skills development

Weeks 3 to 10. Sustainability and Environmental Management - external expert led group workshops

Week 11. CV and interviews workshops - tips for how to get a job and develop your sustainability career

Week 12. Assessment workshop and module summary

N.B. The workshop areas vary to respond to a new area of scientific and policy importance in the sustainability professional world, but will always focus on the learning outcomes of the module. The order of workshops will vary depending upon the availability of external speakers.

• Lectures
• Discussion and feedback sessions
• Case study workshop
• Student (consultancy group) presentations
• Case study site visits

The module will be delivered by lecture and workshop sessions, with an emphasis on student discussion and group exercises. Students are required to participate in debates and workshops at all times. The lectures will be delivered by the module lead and external experts from a local or regional consultancy. The case-study workshops and student presentations are expert-led with continual feedback from the module lead.

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

Presentation (Case study)

• Assessment Type: Formative
• Feedback: The module lead provides immediate verbal feedback to each presenter and their group on their progress. The student members of the other groups also provide comments which are moderated by the module lead.
• Final Assessment: No
• Group Work: No

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.