AP1AE15-Ecology and Environmental Management

Module Provider: School of Agriculture, Policy and Development
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites: Please note, places on this module are restricted to BSc Environmental Mangement and BSc Ecology and Wildlife Conservation students only. We may consider other students, on request, only if places are available.
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Ms Rebecca Jerrome
Email: r.m.jerrome@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module is designed to introduce students to interactions between human activity and components of the natural environment, methods for monitoring and assessing this and how such scientific information is used in devising management strategies. 

PLEASE NOTE PLACES ON THIS MODULE ARE RESTRICTED AND PREFERENCE WILL BE GIVEN TO BSc ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND BSc ECOLOGY AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION STUDENTS.

Aims:

Students will be introduced, via a series of lectures, and visits, to the complexity of managing a range of local environments and will receive an introduction to the ways in which land designations are applied and the changing nature of landscape management. 

Assessable learning outcomes:

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

• Research, describe and critically evaluate environmental and management issues. 


• Clearly communicate information (orally & visually).


• Select appropriate literature and demonstrate evidence of wide and critical reading.


• Reference correctly using the Harvard Referencing System


• Discuss important local habitats and demonstrate an understanding of the demands of competing interest groups


• Keep field notes and critically reflect on their own learning experience.

Additional outcomes:

Students will:

• be introduced to a range of conservation organisations, understand how they operate and gain knowledge of the career opportunities available in the sector;

Key employability skills include reflection, communication (written and verbal), sector career experience and networking, teamwork.

Outline content:

• Field visits to a range of local habitats e.g. chalk grassland, woodland and heathland.
  
  
  
  • Presentations from outside speakers
  
  
  • Lectures covering landscape character mapping, habitat and species conservation, wildlife management, including of problem species, land designations, and the changing nature of landscape management
  
  
  • Student presentations on topical environmental issues.
  
  
  
  

Global context:

Students will gain an understanding of how environmental management operates on a global and supranational level and be introduced to international case studies.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module covers a range of teaching and learning methods, including lectures and field visits,. Transferable & Specialist skills covered:

• Written communication


• Oral communication


• Habitat management


• Environmental management


• Information technology skills


• Team work

The contact hours are indicative as fieldtrips are subject to host availability.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	6	5
Seminars	6	5
External visits	8	16
Guided independent study:	80	74
Total hours by term	100	100	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	80
Oral assessment and presentation	20

Summative assessment- Examinations:

N/A

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

A number of assessments are based on field visits. All fieldtrips are, therefore, compulsory.

Formative assessment methods:

Student will undertake a formative exercise conducting a literature search.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres 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 (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: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/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:
By the submission of a written essay on a new topic.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:  None

2) Specialist equipment or materials:  None

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:  Students will need sturdy footwear, warm clothing and waterproofs for work and visits in the field.  

4) Printing and binding:  None

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  None

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  None

Last updated: 22 September 2022