AP1AE05-Key Skills for 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 / Summer module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites: Only available to students on BSc Environmental Management
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Yuan Pan
Email: yuan.pan@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module is designed for students on the BSc Environmental Management programme. Gain fundamental knowledge of the different research approaches used in the scientific and socio-economic disciplines encompassed by the subject. Explore approaches being employed in related research topics in the School of Agriculture, Policy & Development and develop skills in research through group work on a particular research area.

In addition, develop your study skills, including literature based research, digital literacy, data manipulation and analysis, scientific writing and presentation, along with transferable skills relevant to employment in the environmental management field such as team work, project planning, time management, risk assessment and ethics.

Aims:

The aims of the module are:

• To develop study skills in researching source material, referencing, writing and presenting, along with revision and exam technique.


• To develop students’ skills in gathering information from multiple sources, analysing and presenting data, and communicating the findings and implications of research.


• To develop professional skills relevant to the processes by which environmental management is practiced, including team work, project planning and understanding the social context in which environmental issues are addressed.


• To provide exposure to current research in the field of environmental management, including inter-disciplinary approaches.

To facilitate integration of knowledge learned on other modules on the course in different disciplines (scientific, socio-economic) and encourage application to problem solving in complex situations.

Assessable learning outcomes:

On completion of this module it is expected that a student will be able to:

• Critically analyse, summarise and present information from a range of sources and correctly acknowledge sources


• Formulate a relevant research question and related hypotheses and design, and execute a collaborative research project


• Accurately collect and record information, store and manipulate data, and analyse using appropriate statistical software


• Demonstrate the ability to write in various styles


• Confidently present research findings and answer questions


• Understand the importance of academic integrity


• Apply ethical considerations, data protection procedures and relevant health and safety issues in planning research


• Manage, evaluate and reflect upon their own learning style and personal approaches to study.

Additional outcomes:

• Apply knowledge, concepts and approaches from a range of disciplines to address complex environmental problems


• Develop a range of transferrable and employability skills including team work, written communication, verbal communication, time management, IT, critical analysis, numeracy, initiative, organisational, time management, negotiating, leadership, decision making, creativity, independence and a reflective approach to practice.


• Develop effective revision strategies and exam technique.

Outline content:

Autumn term:

The course will start with sessions covering study skills, time management, academic writing, referencing and academic integrity.  Later in the term seminar sessions will focus on the research approaches, data and sampling, research ethics, health and safety and project planning.

Spring term:

Students will select a preferred research topic and apply skills in identifying source information and citing sources. Students will then work in small groups to implement their research topic, supervised by a member of the School staff, through identification of a research question, testable hypotheses and data gathering.  Spring term seminars will focus on data manipulation, analysis and presentation.  The groups will present their research to peers on the course.

Summer Term

Sessions in the summer term will build on experience of the research process and

encourage a reflective approach to students understanding of their personal styles of study, research and role within a team context.  Additional seminars will cover revision and exam technique.

Global context:

Major societal issues

Research project in UK – but wider issues

Does UK experience fit global trends?

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The early part of the course will comprise a series of seminars focussing on study and research skills.  In the spring term the approach will switch to supervised small group work with peers on the course, researching the background to a research topic, devising a research plan, gathering and analysing data, formulating findings and presenting their work.  In the summer term a number of seminars will cover reflection on personal learning style, evaluation of role within teams and re levance to development of appropriate professional skills.  Methods are subject to change depending on developments in the covid-19 epidemic.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Seminars	16	6	4
Project Supervision	4	4
External visits	4
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)	20
Wider reading (directed)	10
Preparation for presentations		10
Preparation for seminars	20	6	2
Preparation of practical report	10		10
Completion of formative assessment tasks	6
Group study tasks		14
Carry-out research project		50
Reflection			4
Total hours by term	90	90	20
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	60
Oral assessment and presentation	40

Summative assessment- Examinations:

none

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

1. A literature review (25%, submitted late autumn term)


2. A written statement of research questions and hypotheses, along with a Gantt chart showing timing of activities for the research project (20%, submitted early Spring term)


3. A group presentation outlining the objectives, methods, results and conclusions of the research project (30%, presented late Spring term)


4. A reflective account outlining a personal evaluation of personal learning style, role within a team setting and relevance to personal career aspirations (25%, submitted early Summer term)

Formative assessment methods:

Reference list of research papers relevant to the group research project.

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:

40%

Reassessment arrangements:

Written report on group research project

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:  None

2) Specialist equipment or materials:  None

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:  None

4) Printing and binding:  None

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  None

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  None

Last updated: 30 March 2023