GV2PMNU-Environmental Planning & Management

Module Provider: Geography and Environmental Science
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2020/1

Module Convenor: Dr Jess Neumann

Email: j.l.neumann@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module is concerned with the importance of environmental planning and management in sustainable development and manufacturing. A range of vulnerable environmental systems and ecosystems will be studied, including water, air, oceans and forests.   

Aims:

This module is intended to introduce the principles and applications of environmental planning and management, as well as those of Life Cycle Assessment, to examples of environmental and habitat protection and sustainable development.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

• Identify the essential components and principles of environmental planning, management and sustainable development.


• Identify and apply a cross-disciplinary and multifaceted approach to understanding sustainability.


• Develop and apply critical thinking and analytical skills to evaluate the credibility of sustainability policy positions and scientific arguments .


• Improve decision-making capabilities within the context of sustainability.


• Consider the importance of the legal and regulatory framework in undertaking environmental planning and successfully implementing environmental management projects.

Additional outcomes:

By the end of the module, it is expected that students should be able to embed sustainable development in the environmental planning and management process.

Outline content:

• Introduction to the basic concepts of Environmental Planning and Management


• Sustainable development and manufacturing


• Environmentally conscious manufacturing: recycling, inverse manufacturing, and design for the environment


• The IS0 14000 mode


• Environmental planning


• Understanding environmental problems


• Life Cycle Assessment: concepts, measuring environmental impacts, evaluation


• Air quality problems


• Climate change: threats and responses


• Deforestation: threats and responses


• Water (in)security: threats and responses


• Desertification: threats and responses


• Wildlife and habitat management: concepts and conservation


• Waste and e-waste: threats and responses

Global context:

The principles, applications and case studies considered in this module are relevant to many parts of the world.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module includes blended teaching and classroom discussions, involving pre-reading and critical thinking, interactive group projects and presentations.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	38
Seminars	10
Guided independent study:	52
Total hours by term	100	0	0
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	60
Written assignment including essay	20
Oral assessment and presentation	20

Summative assessment- Examinations:

2 hours

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

1. Group presentation: Different topics will be given to each student group.  The students will have a period of time to research valid information in preparation for a 15-minute presentation followed by 5-min Q & A.


2. One written assignment: 1500 words, set at the start of the semester.  

Formative assessment methods:

Advice on course work is provided during the periods of preparation for the group presentations, as well as during the scheduled lectures. 

Penalties for late submission:

The Module Convenor will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day[1] (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A mark of 40% overall

Reassessment arrangements:

Re-examination in August

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 27 August 2020