AD1EEM: Ecology and Environmental Management
Module code: AD1EEM
Module provider: School of Agriculture, Policy and Development
Credits: 20
Level: Level 1 (Certificate)
When you'll be taught: Semester 1 / 2
Module convenor: Ms Rebecca Jerrome, email: r.m.jerrome@reading.ac.uk
Pre-requisite module(s): This module is only available to BSc Environmental Management and Sustainability students. (Open)
Co-requisite module(s):
Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):
Module(s) excluded:
Placement information: NA
Academic year: 2024/5
Available to visiting students: No
Talis reading list: Yes
Last updated: 20 May 2024
Overview
Module aims and purpose
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.
Please note that places on this module are restricted and preference will be given to BSc Environmental Management and BSc Ecology and Wildlife Conservation students.
Module 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 discuss important local habitats and wider environmental issues and demonstrate an understanding of the demands of competing interest groups
- Keep field notes and critically reflect on their own learning experience
- Select appropriate literature and demonstrate evidence of wide and critical reading and reference correctly using the Harvard Referencing System
- Develop key employability skills, including reflection, communication (written and verbal), sector career experience and networking, and teamwork
Module 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 a relevant environmental management issue
Structure
Teaching and learning methods
The module covers a range of teaching and learning methods, including lectures, teamworking and field visits.
Study hours
At least 45 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.
Scheduled teaching and learning activities | Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Summer |
---|---|---|---|
Lectures | 14 | 8 | |
Seminars | 2 | 1 | |
Tutorials | |||
Project Supervision | |||
Demonstrations | |||
Practical classes and workshops | |||
Supervised time in studio / workshop | |||
Scheduled revision sessions | |||
Feedback meetings with staff | |||
Fieldwork | |||
External visits | 4 | ||
Work-based learning | 13 | ||
Self-scheduled teaching and learning activities | Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Summer |
---|---|---|---|
Directed viewing of video materials/screencasts | 3 | ||
Participation in discussion boards/other discussions | |||
Feedback meetings with staff | |||
Other | |||
Other (details) | |||
Placement and study abroad | Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Summer |
---|---|---|---|
Placement | |||
Study abroad | |||
Independent study hours | Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Summer |
---|---|---|---|
Independent study hours | 75 | 80 |
Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.
Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.
Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.
Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.
Assessment
Requirements for a pass
Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.
Summative assessment
Type of assessment | Detail of assessment | % contribution towards module mark | Size of assessment | Submission date | Additional information |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Oral assessment | Teamwork presentation | 20 | Semester 1, Teaching Week 10 | Students will work together in groups of 4 or 5 to research and present on an assigned environmental management topic. | |
Set exercise | Habitat and site survey | 10 | Semester 2, Teaching Week 10 | Students will complete a Habitat and Site Survey for each external visit. Attendance on the visit is required. | |
Written coursework assignment | Essay | 70 | 1,500 words | Summer Vacation Week 1 |
Penalties for late submission of summative assessment
The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:
Assessments with numerical marks
- 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 three working days;
- the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
- where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
- where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.
Assessments marked Pass/Fail
- where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
- where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.
The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/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.
Formative assessment
Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.
Students will have the opportunity to undertake a Habitat and Site Survey on the campus.
Reassessment
Type of reassessment | Detail of reassessment | % contribution towards module mark | Size of reassessment | Submission date | Additional information |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Written coursework assignment | Essay | 100 | 1,500 words |
Additional costs
Item | Additional information | Cost |
---|---|---|
Computers and devices with a particular specification | ||
Required textbooks | ||
Specialist equipment or materials | ||
Specialist clothing, footwear, or headgear | Students will need sturdy footwear, warm clothing and waterproofs for external visits. | |
Printing and binding | ||
Travel, accommodation, and subsistence |
THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS MODULE DESCRIPTION DOES NOT FORM ANY PART OF A STUDENT'S CONTRACT.