BI2S205 - Ecological Consultancy 01 Jul 2022 - 31 Aug 2028 | Version 2
Associated Module Information
| Module Code: | BI2S205 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Module Title: | Ecological Consultancy | ||
| Faculty: | Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science | ||
| Faculty Group: | Applied Sciences | ||
| Faculty Sub Group: | Biological Sciences | ||
| Module Leader: | Emma Higgins | ||
| Module Team: | Harri Little, David Lee, Emma Higgins, Claire Tanner, Cerith Jones | ||
| First Intended Intake: | SEP 2027 | Final Year of Intake: | 2027 |
| Date Closed: | |||
| Credit Value: | 20 | Credit Level: | 5 |
| Language: | English | ||
| Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: | 0 | ||
| Equivalent Module: | |||
| HECOS codes: | 100347 - ecology | 100864 - ecosystem ecology and land use | 101278 - employability skills (personal learning) |
| HECOS Code Weighting: | 40 | 30 | 30 |
Document Version Information
| Version | 2 |
|---|---|
| Valid From | 01 Jul 2022 |
| Valid To | 31 Aug 2028 |
Module Aims
On successful completion of this module, students will have:
- Developed a deep understanding of the conservation and ecological importance of selected UK species and habitats and accompanying environmental legislation and policy.
- Gained practical experience of relevant survey and assessment techniques, both desk and field-based, and applied these to evaluating species, habitats, and sites of conservation importance.
- Managed and communicated the outputs of ecological projects in a professional manner and to industry standard and be capable of applying these to a range of scenarios.
Students will develop knowledge areas, and specialist and transferable skills, including working with others, communication, enquiry and analysis, and critical reflection that enhance employability in the conservation and ecological sector in the UK.
In engaging with the module appropriately, students will fully achieve the following level-appropriate Behaviour Domains of the USW Graduate Attributes:
Commercial Awareness: Behaviour 1, 2, 3
Communication: Behaviour 1, 2, 3
Innovation and Enterprise: Behaviour 1, 2, 3
Project Management: Behaviour 1, 2, 3
Digital Literacy: Behaviour 1, 2, 3
Leadership: Behaviour 1, 2, 3
The Capabilities associated with these behaviours are found in the Graduate Attributes table at the end of the descriptor.
Content Summary
Ecology and conservation of selected habitats and species of UK and European importance, including biodiversity action plans and conservation assessments.
Ecological project and information management, including desk-based studies, stakeholder consultation and accessing sources of biological information.
Industry-standard habitat surveys, which could include Extended Phase 1 Habitat surveys, Modular River Surveys (MoRPh surveys), and Hedgerow Condition Assessments.
Ecological survey methods for UK species, including protected species survey methodologies and mitigation, e.g., bats.
Industry-standard reporting outputs, potentially including Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, Environmental Statements and Protected Species Reports.
Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIA), Habitats Regulations Assessments (HRA) and Construction Environmental Management Plans (CEMP).
The UK Habitat Classification System (UKHAB) and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) assessments using the DEFRA biodiversity metric.
UK and international wildlife legislation in the context of the UK planning system and nature conservation, including knowledge of the application of the biodiversity policies for devolved countries (e.g., Environment Wales Act 2016). GIS for mapping and analysing ecological case studies.
Learning and Teaching Methods
| Activity Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Tutorial | 24 |
| Fieldwork | 40 |
| Independent Study | 70 |
| Directed Study | 36 |
| Formative Assessment - Independent | 2 |
| Groupwork | 10 |
| Practical classes and workshops | 18 |
| Total Hours Selected | 200 |
Learning Outcomes
| # | Learning Outcome |
|---|---|
| LO1 | Identify the ecology and conservation importance of key species and habitats and defend these values alongside environmental and conservation policy and legislation through industry-standard outputs. |
| LO2 | Demonstrate practical experience and application of selected ecological survey and assessment techniques in a range of wildlife evaluation settings and apply these to professional practice. |
Assessment Criteria
| Assessment Category | Assessment Type | Description | Duration | Word Count | Weight (%) | Best of? | Pass Mark |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Synchronous Onsite Oral Assessment | Presentation (Synchronous Onsite) 1 | Present ecological findings to a small panel of practitioners | 10 | N/A | 40 | No | 40 |
| Asynchronous Assessment | Field Folio 1 | Industry field skills competencies this needs to be specific and cannot be different for different groups - industry skill assessed) | 0 | 2000 | 60 | No | 40 |
Assessment Matrix
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| LO1 | LO2 | ||
| Presentation (Synchronous Onsite) 1 | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Field Folio 1 | ✔ | ✔ | |