Environmental Assessment and Management

This module provides key skills and knowledge to pursue academic research at the postgraduate and professional level, looking at big issues in environmental sciences. The module also introduces ethics and bioethics and will aim to enhance students critical thinking.

This module examines the relevance and relative merits of the different tools and approaches available to the business community in assessing and improving its health, safety, and environmental performance and addressing the sustainability agenda. You will explore through case study and field work the of the business community to the internal and external drivers of health, safety and environmental performance and corporate social responsibility. You will be trained to undertake audits and will have the opportunity to undertake audits of business processes through collaboration with business partners.

This module covers the toxic characteristics of major environmental pollutants (heavy metals/metalloids, petroleum hydrocarbons, pesticides, nitrogen, phosphorus etc.), and their chemical behaviour, transport and environmental fate in various environmental compartments, including air, water and soils. Remediation technologies for key environmental pollution problems such as acid rain, smog, acid mine drainage, contaminated lands, eutrophication, greenhouse gas emission etc. are introduced.

This module provide an insight into and critical awareness of environmental, technical, economic and political factors influencing policies and mechanisms for the sustainable management of energy and environmental resources. It will enhance the skills required to formulate strategies for reconciling conflicts between development and environmental protection in the context of energy and resources management.

This module explores the complex field of resource security, from energy to food and beyond. With rising populations and cities expanding, resource management is more vital than ever. You will explore resource security through an interdiscplinary lens, touching on fields including planning, environmental, soil science and beyond, in an attempt to understand the complex nature of the topic.

This module aims to enable you to design, plan and execute a programme of research through active enquiry and to undertake appropriate analysis of research results. You will have the opportunity to use research skills acquired in the applied context of real world project work in a variety professional settings and to develop the skills necessary for successful delivery of project outcomes. You will work as part of a team with an external organisation or company relevant to your degree discipline on a project defined by a client. The module provides you with opportunities to develop range of skills and aptitudes including negotiation of project terms of reference, research design, data collection and analysis, professional communication, project management and professional networking.

This module will prepare you for your dissertation by enabling you to design, plan and execute a programme of research and to analyse research results appropriately. It will provide opportunities for you to acquire essential research skills relevant to your discipline in both a field and laboratory setting. The experience in applying these skills will be invaluable in planning and undertaking your dissertation.

This module examines and evaluates processes for investigating and mitigating the impacts of development in the context of environmental impact assessment and planning procedures. You will explore impact assessment policy, law and practice through case study research and practical applications in the field. You will have the opportunity to interact with environmental impact assessment professionals in developing and presenting a case study providing you with valuable insights into career prospects in this field.

This module examines risk based approaches to regulation. You will explore the role of law in the management of health, safety environment including the current English criminal law, the influence of social legislation and other EU and international influences. You will study the operation of the major statutes in the field, their interpretation and application, procedures and protocols for the collection of admissible evidence; regulatory authorities, criminal / administrative sanctions and sentencing guidelines.

This dissertation aims to contribute to the body of knowledge in your area by devising and conducting an independent research project and through independent, self-motivated critical thinking, to develop as a reflective practitioner.