BSc (Hons) Environmental Science (SHAPE, Hong Kong)

This module is designed to support you in independently pursuing an original piece of research on a geographical or environmental topic of your own choice grounded in final year specialist option modules. Dependent upon your programme of study, you will draw upon and develop your research skills in answering research questions/hypothesis on a dissertation topic within the social, humanities, natural and environmental disciplines. You will develop expertise in:

• identifying a suitable topic and in reviewing critically the relevant academic literature;
• formulating research questions/hypotheses and appropriate methods of inquiry;
• collecting your own data and/or using existing data sets and/or engaging in an analysis of the research literature;
• the ability to analyse and interpret your results using appropriate quantitative, statistical and/or qualitative techniques,
• relating the findings to existing and up-to-date literature;
• oral, visual and written presentation of your research project;
• objectively appraising the ethical considerations of conducting research; and
• managing and implementing a large independent project.

You will learn about the design and implementation of geospatial Applications using evidence based practice extending practical knowledge of the techniques and analysis tools gained from level 5 (Second year). This will involve you critically reviewing existing published and adopted practice in topic areas such as:
• environmental planning,
• landcover change,
• resource management and
• risk assessment.
in order to design, cost and implement your own geospatial application. You will be taught advanced concepts of method design and how
to cost and respond to a tender request. You will also learn advanced IT skills on data compilation, download, generation, analysis, interpretation and presentation within the context of ‘fitness of use’ using image processing and GIS software. As you explore evidence based practice you will be asked to design your application with key consideration to the following questions. Can geospatial Applications be:
• value free and what role does positionality and ethics play?,
• simply sticks which powerful groups in decision making processes use to beat smaller groups with?, and
• a key determinant of planning and policy success in an organisational context?

In this module you will explore the policies and practice of conservation, using examples from around the world. You will find out how the conservation value of a site is assessed in the UK (and in other countries), how to map a river for ecologically sensitive engineering, how climate change is affecting the distribution of species and habitats and the challenges of managing a site for conservation and other conflicting uses. The module combines professional practice focused on careers and challenging contemporary ideas.

Recent reviews of professionals working the fields of conservation and environmental management (Ecological Skills: shaping the profession for the 21st Century, IEEM 2011 and CIEEM 2017) identified the need for graduates who are able to undertake standard ecological surveys of sites and make recommendations for habitat and species management. This module is designed to help you develop these practical and employment related skills.

The teaching will focus on building your practice-based expertise, the confidence to make judgements and how to implement standard methods such National Vegetation Classification, Phase 1 mapping and rarity classifications (UK and international equivalents) that are essential skills for a career in this field. The topics are all based on the research rich expertise of the teaching staff with workshops based on techniques and strategies you need to know to work in the profession of conservation. At the heart of the module is the global biodiversity crisis, concepts of biodiversity (genetic biodiversity, species biodiversity, community biodiversity, habitat diversity), and how the conservation professions approach challenges such as assessing vulnerability and rarity or choosing sites for conservation. You will explore major causes of biodiversity loss with examples from the UK and beyond. Workshops build expertise and confidence in professional skills such as the principles of biological classification and taxonomy and the use of biological keys along with standard UK field methods such as River Habitat Survey and Phase 1 mapping (or international equivalents). Coursework assignments are based on authentic challenges faced by professionals working in conservation, such as what criteria should be used to designate conservation sites such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (or international equivalent). You will research and develop a site a management plan, with an external partner organisation. The overall aim is to equip you with the expertise, skills and confidence to work in wildlife conservation.

In this module, you will develop a holistic viewpoint on issues surrounding environmental pollution, pollution impacts on human health, and approaches to pollution management and mitigation. You will engage with a range of contemporary issues across air quality management, contaminated land and water pollution; appreciate the wider context of historical pollution; analyse and interpret environmental data using a range of modelling techniques (for example, contaminated land software, atmospheric dispersion modelling software) and evaluate different types of interventions that can be used to alleviate/control the effects/impacts of pollutants;; and develop a good working knowledge of the regulatory systems that exist for air, water and soil pollution control at global, European, national and/or local levels. On completion of the module, your ability to link theory and application will serve to enhance your future employment prospects.

Engaging with environmental issues and sustainable development beyond the academy has always been at the heart of Environmental Sciences at Northumbria . Environmental issues such as climate change mitigation and adaptation; reduction of pollution and plastics, reversing biodiversity losses; improving soil quality and managing urban growth present major sustainability challenges for the 21st Century. Environmental engagement can occur at multiple levels in society: business and corporate; government; public; education. On this module you will work towards completing a small piece of Application, Outreach or Decision making, the topic of which will be dependent staff expertise and partner engagement.
The aim of the module is to explore, understand, practice and evaluate means of environmental engagement. From building both the business and environmental cases for corporate engagement in the environmental agenda to communication with the public and embedding the environmental understanding into education. The module will examine concepts of risk and risk management, the application of environmental management and assessment tools. Bringing science into policy, the role of stakeholder engagement and communication in environmental change. How you can successfully engage with the public and how to bring complex issues to school children. The module will help you to develop the skills required to support the implementation of environmental programmes and change the environmental agenda at all levels of society.


Topics you will cover on the module include:

• Conceptual framework for translating environmental science into policy, outreach and decision making
• Sustainable Development Goals- differing interpretations, awareness and use
• Environmental communication – the role of stakeholder engagement and communication in improving environmental engagement.
• Practical tools for business engagement with the environmental agenda
• Making science-based policy decisions to improve the environment
• Environmental education – how, when and why?
• Public engagement – outreach as a tool to promote the environmental agenda
• Project management – approaches and issues.
• Group working – practical skills and professional approaches