Module overview
In order to tackle the considerable sustainability challenges we face as a global community we must identify, understand and manage the resource consumption and emissions produced by all organisations.
Through this module we will explore sustainable management by identifying the resources used by organisations across a range of sectors, understanding the processes of consumption and resultant emissions, and applying practical skills to manage and improve the sustainability performance of organisations. There will be a focus on applying knowledge and skills through working on sustainable waste management in an organisation for coursework, and assessing understanding of sustainable management through examination.
This module does not have any pre-requisites.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Identifying and working towards targets for personal, academic and career development
- Developing the skills necessary for self-managed and lifelong learning (eg working independently, time management and organisation skills)
- Evaluating performance as an individual and a team member
- Identifying individual and collective goals and responsibilities and performing in a manner appropriate to these roles
- Developing an adaptable and flexible approach to study and work
- Preparing, processing, interpreting and presenting data, using appropriate qualitative and quantitative techniques and packages including geographic information systems
- Communicating appropriately to a variety of audiences in written, verbal and graphical forms
- Using the internet critically as a means of communication and a source of information
- Receiving and responding to a variety of information sources (eg textual, numerical, verbal, graphical)
- Solving numerical problems using computer and non-computer-based techniques
- Appreciating issues of sample selection, accuracy, precision and uncertainty during collection, recording and analysis of data in the field and laboratory
- Recognising and respecting the views and opinions of other team members
Subject Specific Practical Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Referencing work in an appropriate manner
- Planning, conducting, and reporting on environmental investigations, including the use of secondary data
- Collecting, recording and analysing data using appropriate techniques in the field and laboratory
- Undertaking field and laboratory investigations in a responsible and safe manner, paying due attention to risk assessment, rights of access, relevant health and safety regulations, and sensitivity to the impact of investigations on the environment and stakeholders
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Applying knowledge and understanding to complex and multidimensional problems in familiar and unfamiliar contexts
- Recognising and using subject-specific theories, paradigms, concepts and principles
- Analysing, synthesising and summarising information critically, including prior research
- Collecting and integrating several lines of evidence to formulate and test hypotheses
- Recognising the moral and ethical issues of investigations and appreciating the need for professional codes of conduct
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- The applicability of environmental science to the world of work
- The contribution of environmental science to the development of knowledge of the world we live in
- Issues concerning the availability and sustainability of resources, for example, the different value sets relating to the Earth's resources as commodities and/or heritage
- Methods of acquiring, interpreting and analysing environmental science information with a critical understanding of the appropriate contexts for their use
- The contribution of environmental science to debate on environmental issues and how knowledge of these forms the basis for informed concern about the Earth and its people
- The terminology, nomenclature and classification systems used in environmental science
- The need for both a multi-disciplinary and an interdisciplinary approach in advancing knowledge and understanding of Earth systems, drawing, as appropriate, from the natural and the social sciences
- The processes which shape the natural world at different temporal and spatial scales and their influence on and by human activities
Syllabus
The module will be delivered through a combination of lectures, workshops, guest lectures, practitioner sessions, and group presentations to develop the knowledge and skills to become a sustainability practitioner. The module content will be interlinked and consist of the following topic areas:
•Introduction to sustainable environmental resource management
•Sustainability leadership
•Sustainable management principles and techniques
•Resource management and the Sustainable Development Goals
•The waste management hierarchy and the circular economy
•Energy and Carbon Management
•Community sustainability consultation
•International management standards for the delivery of sustainable environmental management – the application of ISO14001 Environmental Management Systems
•Assessment case study workshops to deliver the following content:
oEnvironmental aspects and impacts
oKey sustainable environmental management legislation
oSustainable environmental management policies
oSustainability reporting – internal for management change, external for reporting requirements and reputation
•Examination support session
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
The module will be delivered through a combination of lectures and workshops. There will be a focus on the development of practical skills throughout all sessions, with students expected to participate through verbal discussion (where appropriate) and vevox polls. Guest speakers will deliver expert practitioner sessions on sector-specific sustainability management skills, experience, career development.
Group assessment case study sessions will involve additional interactive workshops, supported by client question and answer sessions to assist students with the assignment.
All sessions will be recorded on Panopto, to be available for viewing on the module Blackboard site which will also contain all lecture slides and supporting reading.
Please note, as this module is focused on practical skills development for sustainable environmental management, attendance at lectures and workshops is expected (subject of course to health and related issues) in order to be able to fully contribute to the group assessment.
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Independent Study | 117 |
| Teaching | 33 |
| Total study time | 150 |
Assessment
Assessment strategy
The module is assessed by a combination of group coursework (50%) and examination (50%). As addressed in other module description sections, the focus of the group coursework is on the development of sustainable management skills through the application of a case-study project.Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Coursework | 50% |
| Exam | 50% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Case study report | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External