Core
People and the Environment
This module will provide a baseline contextual understanding of environmental challenges globally, and the social, political and legal context in which they are embedded. It is anticipated that the first half of the module will focus on biophysical environmental challenges (for example, pollution, biodiversity loss, land degradation) and the human drivers of this.
The second half of the module will consider how socio-political processes have enabled such environmental challenges to emerge (for example, via globalisation, economic growth paradigms) and the legal and policy structures that are relevant to environmental governance at local, national and global scales. Given this module covers such a broad scope, you will be directed to particular case studies based on staff expertise.
Techniques for Environmental Solutions
Functioning as an introduction to numerous technical methods, this module will expose you to techniques and analytical tools such as remote sensing and GIS, statistical modelling, stakeholder analysis, survey design, Bayesian Belief Networks and multi-criteria analysis.
It is not intended to provide you with in-depth competencies in particular techniques, but rather a grounded understanding of the benefits and drawbacks of different methods in various environmental management contexts. Assessment will therefore consist of selecting appropriate techniques applying technical output to inform and solve environmental problems in real-world scenarios.
Perspectives on Environmental Leadership
This module will explore how environmental leadership is conceptualised and operationalised through engaging with existing environmental leaders from different sectors. The structure of the module will mainly consist of guest lectures/interviews, and you'll be encouraged to direct inquiry (for example, through asking questions yourself).
Assessment will revolve around you developing your own theory of environmental leadership (with reference to the literature) and reflecting on the relationships between inner character and outward competence.
Project Management
The module covers:
- definitions and classifications of projects
- objectives in project management - time, costs, quality
- activity identification
- resources and resource management
- critical path method, programme evaluation and review technique, and resource scheduling
- performance measurement and costs
- project lifecycles and models
- project teams and leadership in project management
- managing risk in projects
- critical chain planning method
- analysis of project success and failure
- Monte Carlo Simulation
- project management software
Leadership, Strategy and Performance in the Public Sector
This module will examine the role of leadership in the public sector. It will discuss different concepts of:
- leadership
- organisational culture and change
- performance in the public sector
- the use of knowledge and information in organisation learning
- performance improvement in public sector organisations
- the use of strategy in the public sector
You will study different models and approaches to these concepts, how they are affected by and interact with the policy environment, and how they influence each other.
Leadership and Management in Practice
This module is delivered by an external training provider (Goodman Wilkinson Associates). Assessment and teaching will be modified to ensure that the standard of the content can be accredited at masters level, resulting in you receiving a Level 5 certificate by the ILM which also contributes to your MSc.
Optional modules
You can specialise in a particular pathway by selecting both of the 10-credit optional modules under the following specialisms. An option is also available to choose an open pathway where two of the following can be selected:
Climate Risk
Climate Change: The Scientific Basis
This module includes:
- a review of modern climate systems and climate forcings
- climate modelling, projections of future climate change and their uncertainty
- controversies around climate change and the ways in which climate change is communicated to and perceived by the public
- the impacts of climate change on the oceans, food security, forests, water scarcity, extreme events and human health
- mitigation and adaptation to future climate change including the role played by policy-makers and NGOs
Climate Change: Impacts, Adaptation and Mitigation
This module includes:
- a review of modern climate systems and climate forcings
- climate modelling, projections of future climate change and their uncertainty
- controversies around climate change and the ways in which climate change is communicated to and perceived by the public
- the impacts of climate change on the oceans, food security, forests, water scarcity, extreme events and human health
- mitigation and adaptation to future climate change including the role played by policy-makers and NGOs
Sustainable Ecosystems
Ecosystem Conservation and Management
Conservation Planning
Water Resources
Managing Rivers and Catchments
Hydrological Modelling for Water Resource Solutions
This module covers:
- modelling approaches for understanding catchment hydrology
- modelling land-use change impacts on catchment hydrology using SHETRAN
- catchment hydrology: humans influences on river biodiversity
- modelling the global effects of dams on runoff, water security and ecosystems
The modules we offer are inspired by the research interests of our staff and as a result may change for reasons of, for example, research developments or legislation changes. This list is an example of typical modules we offer, not a definitive list.