BSc Environment, Economics and Ecology Programme Specification 2024-25

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1	ACADEMIC QUALITY TEAM
2	Programme Specifications 2024-25
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5	Programme Title			BSc Environment, Economics and Ecology.
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7	This document applies to students who commenced the programme(s) in:			2024		Award type			BSc
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9	What level is this qualification?			6		Length of programme			3 years
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11	Mode of study (Full / Part Time)			Full time
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13	Will the programme use standard University semester dates?			Yes		For York Online programmes, will standard dates for such programmes be used?			Semester dates as per the standard University semester dates.
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15	Awarding institution			University of York		Board of Studies for the programme			Environment and Geography
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17	Lead department			Environment and Geography		Other contributing departments			ESAY - manage Sustainability Clinic module.
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19	Language of study and assessment			English		Language(s) of assessment			English
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21	Is this a campus-based or online programme?			Campus based
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23	Partner organisations
24	If there are any partner organisations involved in the delivery of the programme, please outline the nature of their involvement. You may wish to refer to the Policy on Collaborative Provision
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28	Reference points
29	Please state relevant reference points consulted in the design of this programme (for example, relevant documentation setting out PSRB requirements; the University's Frameworks for Programme Design (UG or PGT); QAA Subject Benchmark Statements; QAA Qualifications and Credit Frameworks).
30	University guidance on programme design.
31	University guidance on programme design.
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33	Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
34	Will this programme involve any exemptions from the University Policy and Procedures on Credit Transfer and the Recognition of Prior Learning? If so, please specify and give a rationale
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38	Exceptions to Regulations
39	Please detail any exceptions to University Award Regulations and Frameworks that need to be approved (or are already approved) for this programme. This should include any that have been approved for related programmes and should be extended to this programme.
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43	Internal Transfers
44	Please use the boxes below to specify if transfers into / out of the programme from / to other programmes within the University are possible by indicating yes or no and listing any restrictions. These boxes can also be used to highlight any common transfer routes which it would be useful for students to know.
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46		Transfers in:	Yes			Transfers out:	Yes
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49	Statement of Purpose
50	Please briefly outline the overall aims of the programme. This should clarify to a prospective student why they should choose this programme, what it will provide to them and what benefits they will gain from completing it.
51	The degree in Environment, Economics and Ecology will equip you with the knowledge and skills to understand and address the most pressing sustainability challenges of our time. We teach students to find synergies between multiple disciplines, linking knowledge, techniques and methods from economics, ecology and other natural and social sciences. As a student in this degree, you will learn the underlying causes of environmental degradation and the complex interactions between socioeconomic factors. In addition, you will understand how individuals, firms or nations can be induced to make more responsible decisions. You will be taught from lecturers in their own fields, including ecologists, economists, geographers, biologists and environmental scientists. All of them are experts doing cutting edge research with business, cities, national and international policymaking agencies and non-profit organisations in the complex areas of climate change, energy policy, biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, and food and water security. By your final year of study you are well equipped to undertake an independent research project in an environmental sustainability topic of your choice. You will be trained in the use and application of digital learning technologies, such as statistical packages and geographical information systems (GIS) to enhance your employability. You will develop strong teamworking skills through training and extensive opportunities for groupwork during class discussions, seminars and fieldwork. Graduates from this degree are solution-oriented and inter-disciplinary thinkers who are capable to develop practical environmental management solutions to the most pressing sustainability challenges, and can communicate effectively verbally and in writing to a range of audiences. Graduates from this degree programme have gone on to successful careers in a wide range of areas including environmental consultancy, corporate sustainability, energy/water management, nature conservation, economic development consultancy, and environmental policy in international NGOs, and local and national government departments. Several proceed to undertake further study and research in subjects such as climate change policy, environmental regulation, environmental economics, environment and development, or management of natural resources.
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62	If there are additional awards associated with the programme upon which students can register, please specify the Statement of Purpose for that programme. This will be most relevant for PGT programmes with exit awards that are also available as entry points. Use additional rows to include more than one additional award. Do not include years in industry / abroad (for which there are separate boxes).
63	Exit Award Title			Is the exit award also available as an entry point?	Outcomes: what will the student be able to do on exit with this award?			Specify the module diet that the student will need to complete to obtain this exit award
64	Certificate of Higher Education (Level 4/Certificate).			NO	Partial completion of most PLOs, more limited progress on completion of independent study related PLOs e.g. PLO 4.			120 credits in accordance with the university's normal regulations on the award of a Cert. of HE.
65	Diploma of Higher Education (Level 5/Intermediate),			NO	Partial completion of most PLOs, more limited progress on completion of independent study related PLOs e.g. PLO 4.			240 credits in accordance with the university's normal regulations on award of a Dip in HE.
66	Ordinary degree			No	Achievement of most PLOs, partial completion of independent research related PLOs e.g. PLO 4.			300 credits in accordance with the university's normal regulations for award of an ordinary degree.
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68	Programme Learning Outcomes
69	What are the programme learning outcomes (PLOs) for the programme? (Normally a minimum of 6, maximum of 8). Taken together, these outcomes should capture the distinctive features of the programme and represent the outcomes that students progressively develop in the programme and achieve at graduation. PLOs should be worded to follow the stem 'Graduates will be able to...'
70	1	Debate, interpret and explain ecological and economic principles, as well as human interactions, at various scales using appropriate methods and norms, engaging critically with theory. [knowledge and awareness].
71	2	Obtain, synthesise and critically evaluate complex information on ecology, economics and environmental studies from a wide range of reliable sources. [independent learner].
72	3	Cut across disciplinary boundaries to link knowledge and experience from a wide range of research areas to understand the relationship between economic and social pressures and their impacts on the ecology of our complex global environment. [interdisciplinary thinker].
73	4	Plan, design and execute research in ecology, economics and environmental studies as an individual or as part of a team using critically-selected qualitative, quantitative and field-based methods. [creator of new knowledge].
74	5	Critically analyse and interpret qualitative and quantitative data using appropriate tools such as GIS and statistical packages to draw meaningful conclusions from research on the ecological and economic implications of human interactions with the environment. [Analytical].
75	6	Effectively communicate knowledge, complex ideas and persuasive arguments to professional and non-specialist audiences using verbal, written, visual and digital media. [Effective communicator].
76	7	Recommend sustainable solutions to environment and development problems that consider broader social, political, economic and environmental contexts, and the ethical implications of their application by applying knowledge, theories and approaches from ecology, economics and policy studies. [Problem solver].
77	8	Work responsibly as part of a team or as a team-leader to set challenging yet attainable goals. [Team player].
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79	Diverse entry routes
80	Detail how you would support students from diverse entry routes to transition into the programme. For example, disciplinary knowledge and conventions of the discipline, language skills, academic and writing skills, lab skills, academic integrity.
81	We support students from diverse entry routes to transition into the programme through support from pastoral supervisors who direct students to additional sources of advice and help over and above the academic skills embedded into the design of our programmes. This includes our Skills Hub, an online resource that provides a wealth of guidance and suppoprt, including video tutorials, that students can use to further build their skills and knowledge.
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90	Inclusion
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92	Please confirm by ticking the box on the right that the design, content and delivery of the programme will support students from all backgrounds to succeed. This refers to the University's duties under the Equality Act 2010. You may wish to refer to the optional Inclusive Learning self-assessment tools to support reflection on this issue.									TRUE
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94	Employability
95	Please give a brief overview - no more than 5 sentences - of how the programmes helps develop students' employability. Your Faculty Employability Manager can help reflection on this issue. This statement will be used by Marketing as the basis for external content with respect to employability.
96	The programme outcomes capture key employability skills that graduates of an Environment, Economics and Ecology degree can be asked to demonstrate when applying for successful and rewarding careers in a range of fields of work. By providing a clear pathway towards achieving these learning outcomes, and plentiful opportunities to use and practice these skills, e.g. via real world assessments, through our programme students will be able to draw out specific examples of work that they have undertaken to evidence their accomplishments to potential future employers. We have embedded an explicit set of employability principles in our programme which both ensures, and reflects, our commitment to developing students' employability.
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