ES1S204 - Environmental Skills Development 01 Jul 2022 - 31 Aug 2028 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: ES1S204
Module Title: Environmental Skills Development
Faculty: Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science
Faculty Group: Applied Sciences
Faculty Sub Group: Earth and Environment
Module Leader: Anthony Harris
Module Team: Niamh Breslin, Thomas Lambourne, Jonathan Duckett, Gareth Powell
First Intended Intake: SEP 2027 Final Year of Intake: 2027
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 4
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100369 - geographical information systems 100381 - environmental sciences 100549 - environmental impact assessment
HECOS Code Weighting: 30 20 50

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Jul 2022
Valid To 31 Aug 2028

Module Aims

To facilitate the transition of students to undergraduate study, to develop a range of skills to provide the underpinning for subsequent degree level study.

To introduce the student to a variety of research and field techniques, and to examine a range of methods which will allow students to investigate environmental issues, safely gather data in the field, and to analyse, display and present environmental research findings.

To introduce students to aspects of environmental management, including environmental impact assessment.

To equip students with fundamental geospatial knowledge and skills that will then be applied elsewhere throughout the course programme and will enhance future employability.

In engaging with the module appropriately, students will fully achieve level-appropriate Behaviour Domains of the following USW Graduate Attributes:

Commercial Awareness - Behaviour Domains 1, 2, 3

Communication - Behaviour Domains 1, 2, 3

Leadership - Behaviour Domains 1, 2, 3

Innovation and Enterprise - Behaviour Domains 1, 2, 3

Project Management - Behaviour Domains 1, 2, 3

Digital Literacy - Behaviour Domains 1, 2, 3

The Capabilities associated with these behaviours are found in the Graduate Attributes table at the end of the descriptor.

Content Summary

Research and communication skills development. Introduction to data generation, including primary and secondary data sources. Introduction to quantitative & qualitative research and analytical methodologies.

Principles of environmental impact assessment. Multidisciplinary environmental site assessment, environmental statements.

Fieldwork. Topics will depend on location, and may include aspects of ecology, soils, environmental pollution along with environmental management and environmental impact assessment in practice.

Introduction to use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and spatial analysis in environmental science. Industry-standard software, both subscription and open-source, used to visualise, analyse, interpret, and present environmental data from a variety of sources. Projections, locations and Global Positioning Systems. Examples using. Visualization and query of spatial data, for example, pollution and ecology data. Introduction to and use of relational databases.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 9
Seminar 6
Practical classes and workshops 12
Fieldwork 21
Independent Study 132
Directed Study 20
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 To interpret and analyse a range of primary and secondary data from research, incorporate data into known models and produce final field reports based on synthesised data.
LO2 To explain the environmental management challenges based around examples of development leading to environmental problems and consider their professional context.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Project 1 A detailed analysis of a topic, involving some original research undertaken by the candidate who makes use of data and/or primary sources. 0 2000 50 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Field coursework 1 A written submission that reflects activities undertaken in the field environment. 0 2000 50 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Project 1
Field coursework 1

Reading List

Carroll, B. 2019. Environmental Impact Assessment Handbook: A Practical Guide for Planners, Developers and Communities (3rd ed.). ICE Publishing.

Cunningham, W. P. and Cunningham, M. A., 2017. Environmental Science: a Global Concern (14th ed.). McGraw Hill.

Enger, E. and Smith, B., 2018. Environmental Science. McGraw Hill.

Friedland, A. and Relya, R., 2015. Essentials of Environmental Science (2nd ed.). W.H.Freeman.

Glasson, J. and Therivel, R., 2019. Introduction To Environmental Impact Assessment (Natural and Built Environment Series) (5th ed.). Routledge.

Wright, R. T. and Boorse, D. F., 2016. Environmental Science: Toward A Sustainable Future (13th ed.). Pearson Education.