Module Information
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 14 Hours. Web based lectures |
| Seminars / Tutorials | 6 Hours. |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Oral Presentation Oral presentation and conference abstract (15 mins) | 20% |
| Semester Assessment | Web Exercise Web exercise (electronically marked) | 20% |
| Semester Assessment | Environmental Statements | 20% |
| Semester Exam | 1.5 Hours End of Semester Exam Essay question | 40% |
| Supplementary Exam | 1.5 Hours Supplementary exam | 40% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Continuous Assessment Resubmission of failed course work | 60% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
have a broad knowledge of issues relating man's impact on the planet (both locally and at a global scale)
be aware of environmental responsibility (legislation)
be able to provide solutions to improve environmental efficiency at a local level (particularly in the business environment).
be able to deal with carbon budgets, realise environmental responsibility and provide ways to reduce and offset carbon emissions.
be confident in the communication of scientific issues with accuracy and clarity, both orally and in writing.
Aims
This module provides excellent generic grounding in environmental efficiency, relevant to several Masters degree schemes within the Faculties of Art and Science. IT also, importantly, addresses the Government commitment to green the University curriculum.
Brief description
This is a new module, which addresses environmental responsibilty, man's impact on the planet and the growing need to live more sustainably. Through lecture materials explaining the underlying scientific principles and through interactive workshops, students will learn how to evaluate and integrate evidence derived from various experimental and anylytical approaches. In addition to introducing students to a range of scientific issues, this modules will provide students with enhances confidence in the balanced and accurate communication of scientific issues
Content
The module ethos demands that it is taught in an environmentally efficient way. Lectures are provided on the web (via Blackboard) and the materials include lecture self-learning scripts, a web based information pack, and an environmental code of learning. The students use this structure to go through the lecture material at their own pace. Ratified web resources and pdf files of relevant papers will also be placed in Blackboard. Lecture-linked workshops and tutorials allow students to discuss and synthesise the material conveyed in the lectures. The module also includes writing environmental statements and oral presentation based on a range of case studies. A carbon budget web exercise provides students with a task to improve environmentally efficiency in a common business senario. Through lecture materials explaining the underlying scientific principles and through interactive workshops, students will learn how to evaluate and integrate evidence derived from various experimental and analytical approaches. In addition to introducing students to a range of scientific issues, this module will provide students with enhanced confidence in the balanced and accurate communication of scientific issues.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | Carbon budget web exercise (see 1 above). |
| Communication | Workshop activities will develop a high level of communication skills in the students taking this module. Subjects will be discussed in the form of scientific arguments. The module contributors will provide several lines of argument for discussion and the students will be expected to form and defend their views through group discussions. Students will be expected to submit assignments in line with clear submission dates. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | The module demands self-learning by the student. Students will have to effectively manage information, data and time in order to satisfy the assessment demands. |
| Information Technology | Carbon budget web exercise (see 1 above). |
| Personal Development and Career planning | The module provides the students with excellent vocational skills and expertise that is directly relevant to the workplace. This includes environmental efficiency action and knowledge about funding initiatives to promote environmental sustainability. The students will also develop invaluable communication skills applicable to several possible careers within the principality. |
| Problem solving | The carbon budget web exercise provides students with a spreadsheet to calculate what energy use represents in terms of carbon emissions and the number of trees required to sequester this carbon. Specific materials will be housed in blackboard and general information will be available at www.aber.ac.uk/ensus/ |
| Research skills | A workshop will be used to develop concise writing skills, terminology and producing accurate environmental statements. |
| Team work | The students will be involved in discussion groups during the workshop sessions. They will also present a 15-minute oral presentation (including questions). The latter will be managed as conference and students will submit their presentation abstract according to a set deadline. These will be presented as an in-house web based publication. |
Reading List
E. Harland (2002) Eco-renovation, p242 Green Books publications Primo search R. Murray (2002) Zero Waste Green, p211 Environmental Trust publications Primo search The Green Office Manual, p306 (2000) Wastebusters Ltd 2nd Edition Earthscan publications Primo search http://cat.org.uk/ http://www.isda.org.uk/Sustainable/Toolkit/
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 7