University home > Unit and programme catalogues in 2022/23 > Programme catalogue > Faculty of Science > School of Geographical Sciences > Environmental Policy and Management (MSc) > Specification
Please note: you are viewing unit and programme information for a past academic year. Please see the current academic year for up to date information.
Programme code | 2GEOG012T |
---|---|
Programme type | Postgraduate Taught Degree |
Programme director(s) |
James Palmer
|
Faculty | Faculty of Science |
School/department | School of Geographical Sciences |
Teaching institution | University of Bristol |
Awarding institution | University of Bristol |
Mode of study | Full or Part Time |
Programme length |
1 years (full time)
2 years (part time) |
This section sets out why studying this programme is important, both in terms of inspiring you as an individual and in considering the challenges we face. It describes how this degree programme contributes to:
This programme aims to develop the student’s interest in and knowledge and understanding of the economic and political challenges created by the complexity of environmental change. Given such complexity, the programme recognises the need for a solid grounding in both human and physical geography, and related analytical methodologies. In the first instance, the programme (a) provides students with an understanding of the spaces, actors and other drivers that shape environmental policy and its execution across multiple geographic scales; (b) provides students with an understanding of how corporate and public institutions manage environmental liability and risk; and (c) how environmental policy is designed and operates. In the second instance, this programme provides the student with a solid understanding of the sources and scope of environmental change, such as climate change, land use degradation and water resources use. This aspect of the programme is geared specifically toward the student without any or very little background knowledge of the natural sciences. The goal here is foster scientific literacy so that the student can comfortably engage with scientists and understand how to interpret and explain scientific information to a non-scientist. In the third instance, the programme provides the student training in a number of analytical methodologies necessary for understanding 1) environmental policy and 2) environmental science. Here, the student will obtain skills in statistical methods, introductory/intermediate GIS/Remote Sensing techniques, and basic climate modelling. In addition, the student will gain research skills through the completion of a dissertation. The ultimate aim of the programme is to provide the student a broad range of knowledge that bridges human and physical geography, therefore providing the student with the confidence to address key issues in the governance and management of human/environmental relations. As a result, this programme prepares the student for work in a range of sectors (e.g. policymaking, corporate, consultancy, NGO, etc.) where knowledge and understanding of human/environment relations are needed.
The learning outcome statements shown below for your programme have been developed with reference to relevant national subject benchmarks (where they exist), national qualification descriptors (see the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) and professional body requirements.
Teaching, learning and assessment strategies are listed to show how you will be able to achieve and demonstrate the learning outcomes.
This programme provides opportunities for you to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas:
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning/teaching methods and strategies |
---|---|
|
Depending on the unit, methods will range from traditional and interactive lectures, workshops, problem-solving classes, and fieldwork. |
Methods of assessment (formative and summative) | |
Students will be assessed for each unit, and through the writing of a dissertation. Unit assessment—depending on the unit—will include, e.g., submission of written work, oral presentations. A dissertation will be submitted at the beginning of September. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning/teaching methods and strategies |
---|---|
|
Depending on the unit, methods will range from traditional and interactive lectures, workshops, problem-solving classes, and fieldwork. |
Methods of assessment (formative and summative) | |
Students will be assessed for each unit, and through the writing of a dissertation. Unit assessment—depending on the unit—will include, e.g., submission of written work, oral presentations. A dissertation will be submitted at the beginning of September. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning/teaching methods and strategies |
---|---|
|
Projects, dissertation research, practicals |
Methods of assessment (formative and summative) | |
Oral presentations, problem-solving projects, dissertation research |
This section describes what is expected from you at each level of your programme. This illustrates increasing intellectual standards as you progress through the programme. These levels are mapped against the national level descriptors published by the Quality Assurance Agency.
Level M/7 - Postgraduate Certificate |
An introductory understanding of the essential foundations for postgraduate study and of the themes and trends which underlie Environmental policy and management and environmental science. Students will gain insight into conceptual and methodological approaches to Environmental policy and management and environmental science. They will develop an understanding of how to apply such approaches in addressing complex environmental change. |
---|---|
Level M/7 - Postgraduate Diploma |
A broadening knowledge and evidence of broadening use of skills in discussing and analysing Environmental policy and management. A developing understanding of relevant environmental science and an ability to link environmental science with Environmental policy and management issues across a range of political units and for different types of actors (e.g. private firms). A competent grasp of the issues pertaining to current research in environmental science and Environmental policy and management, and an ability to reflect on inter-relationships between different areas of study. Increasing evidence of methodological sophistication. Ability to make use of a widening range of sources and methods in the analysis of environmental policy and management problems. |
Level M/7 - Postgraduate Masters |
Qualified evidence of analytic insight and reflexive practice. Ability to work flexibly and adapt skills and knowledge across a range of areas. Secure grasp of contemporary environmental policy and management in practice and an ability to evaluate critically different practices. Competence and authority in working with a diverse range of primary and secondary sources relating to environmental policy and management. Ability to structure ideas and proposals coherently and present them persuasively in cogent written form, to plan, manage and bring to completion a dissertation on a research topic arising from the different areas (e.g. environmental politics and governance in relation to climate change) covered in the programme, either comparative or based in a secure understanding of a broader practical context. |
For information on the admissions requirements for this programme please see details in the postgraduate prospectus at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/prospectus/postgraduate/ or contact the relevant academic department.
Students will be encouraged to attend departmental seminars in both human and physical geography.
Programme administrator email geog-pgadmin@bristol.ac.uk.
The following units are must pass for the award of an MSc: GEOGM1409, and ONE of GEOGM0013 and GEOGM0010
For the definition of must pass units please see the Glossary of Terms from Annex 1 to the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Students must take the following units: | ||||
Dissertation: MSc Environmental Policy and Management | GEOGM0061 | 60 | Mandatory | AYEAR |
Practical Statistics for Use in Research and Policy | GEOGM0010 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
An Introduction to GIS and Remote Sensing for Environmental Policy and Management | GEOGM0013 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Environmental Policy and Politics | GEOGM1409 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Select 60 credit points from: | ||||
Qualitative Research Methods in Human Geography | GEOGM0041 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Climate Change: Science and Impacts | GEOGM1405 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Conflicted Environments: Studying environmental social movements from the grassroots | GEOGM0036 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Sustainability, Risk and Resilience in the Urban Age | GEOGM0037 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Global Development and Environment: History, Theory, Practice | GEOGM0044 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Consultancy Project | GEOGM0029 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
180 |
The pass mark set by the University for any level 7(M) unit is 50 out of 100.
For detailed rules on progression please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.
All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to exit from the programme with a postgraduate diploma or certificate.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.
An award with Merit or Distinction is permitted for postgraduate taught masters, diplomas and certificates, where these are specifically named entry-level qualifications. An award with Merit or Distinction is not permitted for exit awards where students are required to exit the programme on academic grounds but is permitted in designated programmes (as set out in the programme specification) where students choose to withdraw from the intended programme but otherwise achieve the necessary credit points for the exit award.
The classification of the award in relation to the final programme mark is as follows:
Award with Distinction*: at least 65 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation. **Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
Award with Merit*: at least 60 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 60 out of 100 for the dissertation. Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
* The MA in Law has separate regulations for awarding distinction and merit.
** For the award of Distinction, the Faculty of Engineering requires at least 70 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation.
All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to choose, or be required, to leave at the postgraduate diploma or certificate stage.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.
The following units are must pass for the award of an MSc: GEOGM1409, and ONE of GEOGM0013 and GEOGM0010
For the definition of must pass units please see the Glossary of Terms from Annex 1 to the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/academic-quality/assessment/annex/glossary/
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Students take the following mandatory units over two years | ||||
An Introduction to GIS and Remote Sensing for Environmental Policy and Management | GEOGM0013 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Practical Statistics for Use in Research and Policy | GEOGM0010 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Environmental Policy and Politics | GEOGM1409 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Dissertation: MSc Environmental Policy and Management | GEOGM0061 | 60 | Optional | AYEAR |
Select 60 credit points from: | ||||
Consultancy Project | GEOGM0029 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Climate Change: Science and Impacts | GEOGM1405 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Sustainability, Risk and Resilience in the Urban Age | GEOGM0037 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Conflicted Environments: Studying environmental social movements from the grassroots | GEOGM0036 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Qualitative Research Methods in Human Geography | GEOGM0041 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Global Development and Environment: History, Theory, Practice | GEOGM0044 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
120 |
The following units are must pass for the award of an MSc: GEOGM1409, and ONE of GEOGM0013 and GEOGM0010
For the definition of must pass units please see the Glossary of Terms from Annex 1 to the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/academic-quality/assessment/annex/glossary/
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Students take the following mandatory units over two years: | ||||
Dissertation: MSc Environmental Policy and Management | GEOGM0061 | 60 | Optional | AYEAR |
An Introduction to GIS and Remote Sensing for Environmental Policy and Management | GEOGM0013 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Practical Statistics for Use in Research and Policy | GEOGM0010 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Environmental Policy and Politics | GEOGM1409 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Select 60 credit points from: | ||||
Climate Change: Science and Impacts | GEOGM1405 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Qualitative Research Methods in Human Geography | GEOGM0041 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Sustainability, Risk and Resilience in the Urban Age | GEOGM0037 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Conflicted Environments: Studying environmental social movements from the grassroots | GEOGM0036 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Global Development and Environment: History, Theory, Practice | GEOGM0044 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Policy and Management Consultancy | GEOGM0072 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
120 |
The pass mark set by the University for any level 7(M) unit is 50 out of 100.
For detailed rules on progression please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.
All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to exit from the programme with a postgraduate diploma or certificate.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.
An award with Merit or Distinction is permitted for postgraduate taught masters, diplomas and certificates, where these are specifically named entry-level qualifications. An award with Merit or Distinction is not permitted for exit awards where students are required to exit the programme on academic grounds but is permitted in designated programmes (as set out in the programme specification) where students choose to withdraw from the intended programme but otherwise achieve the necessary credit points for the exit award.
The classification of the award in relation to the final programme mark is as follows:
Award with Distinction*: at least 65 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation. **Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
Award with Merit*: at least 60 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 60 out of 100 for the dissertation. Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.
* The MA in Law has separate regulations for awarding distinction and merit.
** For the award of Distinction, the Faculty of Engineering requires at least 70 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation.
All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to choose, or be required, to leave at the postgraduate diploma or certificate stage.
To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level M/7.
To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level M/7.
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
University of Bristol,
Senate House,
Tyndall Avenue,
Bristol, BS8 1TH, UK
Tel: +44 (0)117 928 9000