Module DXX-1002:
Environmental Management & Conservation

Module Facts

Run by School of Natural Sciences

20.000 Credits or 10.000 ECTS Credits

Semester 1

Organiser: Prof Julia Patricia Gordon Jones

Overall aims and purpose

  1. To highlight the demand for multipurpose land use and how demands may change in the future due to changing pressures.
  2. To highlight the main issues and opportunities associated with management of rural land for environmental purposes.
  3. To introduce conservation science to students and illustrate the interdisciplinary nature of the subject.
  4. To introduce some of the techniques being used to manage the impacts of economic growth and development on the environment.
  5. To introduce some of the techniques being used to manage the impacts of economic growth and development on the environment.

Course content

Introduction to environmental management and conservation (why is it important, who does it and where does it occur). The concepts of landscape multipurpose land-use, interpretation and evaluation. Environmental ethics, conflicts and rights. Introduction to marine conservation issues and to agri-environment schemes. There will be a field trip to view examples of conflicts between conservation and other land uses. Methods to assess impacts on the environment (e.g. carbon footprints, environmental impact assessment). A look at the tools available to reduce environmental impacts, and the importance of good environmental management. There will be a field trip to see how the impacts of large industrial projects are being managed and reduced. Economics and the environment: what’s the relationship? The economic problem and the importance of economics. How individual decisions add up to form social phenomena. Fundamentals of economic analysis. Markets, market failures and interventions. Institutions, incentives and interventions by governments. Growth and trade. Using economic analysis to understand the world and inform decisions. There will be a field trip to illustrate economic issues in the environment.

Assessment Criteria

threshold

Grade D- to C+ The student displays a basic understanding of the principles and practices of environmental management and conservation. Most of the key issues are identified but there may be some omissions or gaps in understanding. Links between theory and practice are not well developed.

good

Grade B- to B+ In addition to the above: the student should demonstrate an understanding of the principles of environmental management and conservation and the relevant policy and legislative frameworks within which they operate. They should also display an understanding of how environmental auditing and assessment influence current practice by private and public bodies. The student is able to evaluate and compare different methods of EIA and construct a satisfactory EIA for a given scenario. The student is able to demonstrate a good grasp of basic economic analyses.

excellent

Grade A- and above The student demonstrates a comprehensive knowledge of the different aspects of environmental management and conservation. There are no major areas omitted and the student demonstrates an ability to critically analyse and evaluate relevant information. Evidence of considerable effort and thought to construct an EIA for a given scenario of high standard, demonstrating an excellent grasp of all major issues. An ability to conduct basic economic analyses to a high standard.

Learning outcomes

  1. Understand the issues associated with multipurpose land use.

  2. Understand the interdisciplinary nature of conservation.

  3. Understand fundamental economic concepts and be able to use these concepts to analyse contemporary environmental issues.

  4. Understand the institutional framework within which land is managed for environmental purposes in the UK and in the wider context.

  5. Appreciate the application of techniques to manage the impacts of development on the environment.

  6. Structure a written report from a range of sources.

Assessment Methods

Type Name Description Weight
EXAM Economics Exam

This will be a series of short-answer questions to be completed over a number of days. You will be told in advance when and where the paper is made available, and by when (and where) you need to submit your answers.

 33.00
EXAM Conservation & Env Management exam

This will be a series of short-answer questions, followed by one essay question (from a choice of four), to be completed over a number of days. You will be told in advance when and where the paper is made available, and by when (and where) you need to submit your answers.

 67.00

Teaching and Learning Strategy

Hours
Lecture

There will be a series of lectures online. These will include a mixture of pre-recorded videos to be watched before a live lecture, publications to read before and after a lecture, and material that is all delivered live. Sessions will be interactive, and will encourage student participation as groups and as individuals.

 26
Fieldwork

3 × 4-hour field trips based on three themes of environmental management and conservation

 12
Private study

Private and guided self-study; including: reading specific material central to subsequent lectures, researching specific topics and producing a comprehensive essay.

 162

Transferable skills

  • Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
  • Computer Literacy - Proficiency in using a varied range of computer software
  • Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
  • Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
  • Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
  • Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.
  • Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting

Subject specific skills

  • Recognize and apply appropriate theories and concepts from a range of disciplines.
  • Consider issues from a range of interdisciplinary perspectives.
  • Apply subject knowledge to the understanding and addressing of problems.
  • Understand the provisional nature of information and appreciate competing and alternative explanations.
  • Demonstrate awareness of the importance of risk assessment and relevant legislation

Resources

Courses including this module

Compulsory in courses:

Optional in courses: