APMA91-Environmental Management: Principles and Practice
Module Provider: Agriculture
Number of credits: 10 [5ECTS credits]
Level:
7
Terms in which taught: Autumn
Module Convenor: Dr
SR
Mortimer
Pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Module version for: 2010/1
Email: s.r.mortimer@reading.ac.uk
Aims:
To encourage and enable students to:
examine and critically appraise the relationships between the principles of environmental management and its practice
place their own understanding and experience (professional and/or educational) in a broader multidisciplinary perspective of issues relating to environmental land management.
develop further their skills in researching cross-cutting issues relating to environmental land management, including skills of critical reasoning, analysing, evaluating and synthesising
develop further their communication skills in presentation, discussion and questioning using both verbal and audio-visual methods
Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
synthesise critically appraise the relationships between the principles of environmental management and its practice, with particular regard to both environmental and socio-economic aspects
communicate their findings and conclusions clearly in writing and orally to academic staff and their peers
demonstrate good academic practice in use, citation and referencing of source material
use appropriate bibliographic sources and tools to identify literature relevant to a given topic
explain the meaning of "plagiarism" both as poor academic practice and as a disciplinary issue within higher education, and implement strategies to avoid it
Additional outcomes:
make effective use of academic and other support services for students at the University of Reading
engage in critical discussion of other people�s ideas and presentations.
Outline content:
Through visits and seminars given by external speakers students will gain an understanding of issues that are of interest to industry, consultancies, NGOs and government agencies. This will also foster an awareness of potential employment opportunities at the end of the degree.
Students will participate in group discussions at tutorials, seminars and presentations by their peers. Students will attend sessions on:
overview of academic support services at the University of Reading
notes and note-taking in lectures
searching, referencing, using the literature; strategies to avoid plagiarism
approaches to writing a dissertation
presenting your research to others
Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
The module will include programme tutorials, group discussions, seminars by visiting speakers and study visits to organisations working in the field of environmental land management.
Contact hours:
| |
Autumn |
Spring |
Summer |
| Lectures |
6 |
|
|
| Tutorials/seminars |
8 |
|
|
| Practicals |
|
|
|
| Other contact (eg study visits) |
6 |
|
|
| Total hours |
20 |
|
|
| Number of essays or assignments |
3 |
|
|
| Other (eg major seminar paper) |
|
|
|
Assessment:
Coursework and assessment:
Formative assignment
A formative assignment will be given early in the Autumn Term to provide an opportunity for students to develop their understanding of writing and performance requirements before they submit their first course module assignments. The formative assignment will be assessed but indicative marks and feedback will not be included in the formal assessment record.
Assessed assignment
The module will be assessed by three pieces of coursework:
(a) two reports of visits to environmental organisations and discussions with their staff. One will focus on land management for biodiversity conservation (e.g. Natural England, wildlife trusts) and the second on land use, landscape conservation and planning (e.g. AONB, local authority). (each 30%)
(b) a seminar style presentation to a group of peers and academic staff on a subject relating to a contemporary issue in environmental management. (40%)
Relative percentage of coursework : 100%
Penalties for late submission: In accordance with the rules of the University of Reading
Examinations: None
Requirements for a pass: A mark of 50% overall (weighted average of the three coursework marks).
Reassessment arrangements: Re-submission of coursework
Last updated: 6 October 2010