What will I learn on this module?
This module explores how museums integrate scientific techniques, environmental monitoring, and instrumental methods in the preservation of cultural heritage. With a particular focus on the museum environment and how it is monitored and controlled, students will examine the intersection of chemistry, physics, materials science, and the biological sciences in collections care, covering environmental factors affecting deterioration, preventive conservation strategies, and scientific documentation methods.
In this module, you will learn:
Scientific Deterioration Principles: Building on first-year studies, you'll explore the ten ‘agents of deterioration’ through an in-depth scientific lens, examining the underlying chemistry and physics of how light, temperature, humidity, pollutants, and biological agents damage heritage objects.
Environmental Chemistry and Physics: you will learn about the molecular mechanisms of material degradation and understand the complex interactions between objects and their environment, building your scientific literacy.
Monitoring Technology: you will learn the theoretical and practical aspects of environmental monitoring systems, including sensors, data collection, calibration, and interpretation. You'll study how historic and modern monitoring systems inform conservation policies and learn sustainable heritage management principles, including climate change impacts on environmental standards.
Real-World Application: Live online monitoring of actual storage and display environments at Northumbria University Collections will provide you with real world practical experience using professional instrumentation and real-time data analysis, connecting theory to professional practice.
Critical Assessment: Develop skills to evaluate environmental data, identify risks, and recommend scientifically informed interventions in collections care and management in both small and large heritage institutions
How will I learn on this module?
Your learning follows a student-led approach that emphasises both theory and experiential practice. This methodology bridges theory and practice through multiple interconnected learning activities:
Topic-Based Online Learning: Weekly online recorded lectures provide structured progression through different topics related to the museum environment, each building upon previous knowledge to develop comprehensive understanding of environmental science. Additional digital content supplements core lectures, allowing you to explore topics at your own pace and revisit scientific concepts as needed.
Active Knowledge Assessment: Formative online knowledge checks and discussions with your Module Tutor throughout the module provide regular opportunities to test your understanding and identify areas requiring further study. These activities reinforce learning and ensure solid foundation building before progressing toward the dissertation.
Real-Time Data Analysis: Full access to Northumbria's WRLAN environmental monitoring system’s digital online platform enables remote exploration of live environmental data from multiple object storage and display locations across campus. This unique resource allows you to observe real environmental fluctuations and their patterns, connecting theoretical knowledge with actual monitoring scenarios.
Applied Research Project: Your assignment combines a demonstration of your scientific knowledge with practical application. The written science report deepens your understanding of specific deterioration processes, while the project-based assignment using live monitoring data develops analytical and interpretive skills essential for professional practice.
Interactive Data Visualization: Working with the monitoring platform's visualization tools, you will learn to interpret complex environmental datasets, identify trends and anomalies, and translate scientific data into actionable conservation insights.
This integrated approach ensures you develop both theoretical scientific knowledge and practical data analysis skills essential for modern heritage conservation practice.
How will I be supported academically on this module?
Academic support is provided through multiple structured channels to ensure your success throughout the experience:
Support is centred around comprehensive guidance from your module tutor, ensuring you succeed in mastering both the scientific principles and practical applications of heritage science.
Module Tutor Guidance: Your module tutor serves as your primary academic mentor throughout the learning journey, providing expert knowledge in heritage science and environmental monitoring. They offer personalized support for understanding complex scientific concepts, interpreting environmental data, and developing your analytical skills. Regular communication channels ensure you can access guidance when navigating challenging topics or technical procedures.
Structured Learning Support: The sequential nature of weekly topics allows for progressive skill building, with your tutor monitoring your development through formative knowledge checks. These assessments provide early identification of any learning gaps, enabling targeted support before concepts become more complex.
Practical Guidance: Your tutor provides comprehensive guidance on using Northumbria's WRLAN environmental monitoring platform, ensuring you can effectively navigate the system, interpret data visualizations, and extract meaningful insights for your assignments. Technical support includes training on data analysis techniques and visualization tools.
Assignment Development Support: For both the written science report and project-based monitoring assignment, your tutor offers guidance on research methodology, scientific writing standards, and data interpretation approaches. They help you connect theoretical knowledge with practical application, ensuring your work meets academic standards while demonstrating professional competency.
Feedback: Written feedback on formative assessments ensures continuous improvement and academic development, with your tutor providing constructive guidance to enhance your understanding and analytical capabilities.
What will I be expected to read on this module?
All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)
What will I be expected to achieve?
Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Demonstrate comprehensive understanding of the scientific principles governing environmental deterioration of movable cultural heritage, including the physics and chemistry of light, temperature, humidity, atmospheric pollutants, and biological agents as they affect different materials and object types.
2. Understand, analyse, and evaluate different environmental monitoring systems, mitigation strategies, and control policies for the preventive conservation of cultural heritage collections, integrating sound scientific evidence with practical implementation considerations.
3. Apply theoretical scientific principles to real-world environmental challenges by conducting data-driven analysis of live environmental monitoring systems and developing evidence-based recommendations for collection care.
Intellectual / Professional Skills & Abilities:
4. Develop professional competency in environmental monitoring technologies, data collection methods, and data analysis techniques relevant to heritage science, demonstrating familiarity with industry standards and best practices governing environmental management in heritage institutions.
5. Develop critical thinking and analytical skills through systematic evaluation of environmental data, identifying patterns, anomalies, and risks while reflecting on the implications for collection preservation and institutional decision-making.
6. Synthesize complex scientific knowledge and environmental data to produce clear, evidence-based reports and recommendations that bridge scientific understanding with practical conservation strategies for diverse audiences.
Personal Values Attributes (Global/Cultural Awareness, Ethics, Curiosity):
7. Demonstrate scientific rigor, ethical data handling, and professional awareness in environmental assessment and reporting, while developing effective communication skills for presenting technical information to non-specialist audiences.
8. Apply scientific principles to conservation and preservation of cultural heritage objects while maintaining cultural awareness and sensitivity to the diverse origins, meanings, and preservation requirements of global cultural heritage collections.
How will I be assessed?
Formative Assessment:
1. Contribution to discussion seminars (1,2,3,5,6)
Summative Assessment:
1. 3000 word Written essay (70%) (1,2,3,5,6,7,8)
2. 2000 word Written Science (monitoring) report (30%) (1,2,3,4,5,6,7)
Module abstract
This cutting-edge module transforms you into a data-driven conservation professional. Heritage Science and the Museum Environment explores the fascinating intersection of chemistry, physics, and preventive conservation practice, revealing the scientific principles behind how environmental and other factors can impact the deterioration of heritage collections. Research-rich learning is inbuilt into the module through live analysis of real environmental data from Northumbria's state-of-the-art WRLAN monitoring system, giving you unprecedented access to a live, online professional standard monitoring system. Our technology-enhanced learning platform provides immersive data visualisation experiences that bring scientific concepts to life, while continuous assessment and feedback through formative knowledge checks ensures your mastery of complex scientific principles.
This module also leads to significantly enhanced employability outcomes, developing highly sought-after practical skills in environmental monitoring, together with skills in data analysis and knowledge of scientific theory that will distinguish you in the competitive heritage sector. Graduates consistently secure positions in leading museums, galleries, and conservation organizations worldwide.
A number of key professional skills are developed through the module, including:
Advanced environmental monitoring and data interpretation
Deterioration, risk assessment and mitigation strategies that are firmly grounded in scientific theory
Professional science-focused writing and reporting
Evidence-based conservation decision-making
Technical proficiency with industry-standard monitoring systems
