MSc Environmental Science and Management Programme Specification 2024-25

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1	ACADEMIC QUALITY TEAM
2	Programme Specifications 2024-25
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5	Programme Title			MSc Environmental Science and Management.
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7	This document applies to students who commenced the programme(s) in:			2024			Award type			MSc
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9	What level is this qualification?			7			Length of programme			1 year full time / 2 years part time
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11	Mode of study (Full / Part Time)			Full time and Part 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
25	N/a
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27	Reference points
28	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).
29	University's Frameworks for Programme Design
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31	Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
32	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
33	N/a
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35	Exceptions to Regulations
36	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.
37	N/a
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39	Internal Transfers
40	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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42		Transfers in:	YES. Transfers cannot be guaranteed, and are dependent on timing and the academic requirements and space availability on the new programme. If any student is considering transferring, they need to speak to their supervisor as soon as possible.				Transfers out:	YES. Transfers cannot be guaranteed, and are dependent on timing and the academic requirements and space availability on the new programme. If any student is considering transferring, they need to speak to their supervisor as soon as possible.
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45	Statement of Purpose
46	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.
47	The MSc in Environmental Science and Management equips you with knowledge and skills to evaluate environmental problems and develop innovative solutions to manage natural resources. Using case-studies and published literature you will learn how to critically analyse current environmental issues, and to apply both established and novel techniques to identify and manage existing and emerging environmental problems. By taking a multi-disciplinary overview you will understand the role environmental management can play in both inducing and managing environmental degradation. You will learn how to objectively evaluate quantitative information and take an evidence-based approach to determine the impact of any management. Your dissertation provides you with the opportunity to engage with professional bodies and focus on real-world problems associated with environmental challenges such as pollution and climate change to develop solutions and recommendations that have relevance to business and policy. Through studying for the MSc you will develop key employability skills needed for working in a range of organisations that operate in the environmental sector, including academia, consultancy, regulation and industry.
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53	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).
54	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
55	Postgraduate Diploma			NO	The student will have worked towards acheiving the majority of the PLOs through the taught element of the programme. However, development towards programme learning outcomes 4 and 5 will have not had the opportunity for significant further progression through an indepenent research project.				Successfully passing the taught component of the degree programme. Therefore, successfully completeing 120 credits from the module diet except for the ISM.
56	Postgraduate Certificate			NO	The student will have acheived nearly half of the PLOs through the taught element of the programme. Development towards programme learning outcomes 4 and 5 will have not had the opportunity for significant further progression through an indepenent research project.				Completing any 60 credits of the taught components of the degree programme
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58	Programme Learning Outcomes
59	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...'
60	1	Debate, interpret and explain current and emerging issues in environmental science and environmental management and engage critically with theory and current practices in identifying and managing human impacts on natural resources [knowledgeable]
61	2	Identify, synthesise and critically evaluate information from a wide range of reliable sources, and collate this information to establish current understanding and independently identify key research questions in specialised areas of environmental science and management [Independent learner]
62	3	Work across disciplinary boundaries to link knowledge and experience from a wide range of research areas to understand the complex interactions between humans and natural environments, and anthropogenic pressures on the health and sustainability of our complex global environment [Interdisciplinary thinker]
63	4	Develop novel hypotheses and plan, design and execute research that combines science-based theory and methodology to create new approaches to framing and addressing envrionmental issues. [Creator of new perspectives]
64	5	Design and undertake critical analyses of quantitative data using appropriate tools to draw expert conclusions from research on the management implications of human interactions with the environment [Analytical and critical thinking]
65	6	Effectively and professionally communicate knowledge, complex ideas and persuasive arguments to professional and non-specialist audiences using verbal, written, visual and digital media [Professional communicator]
66	7	Recommend innovative and sustainable solutions to environmental challenges that consider broader social, political, economic and environmental contexts, and the ethical implications of their application by applying knowledge, theories and approaches from environmental sciences and environmental management [Problem solver]
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68	Diverse entry routes
69	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.
70	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 support, including video tutorials, that students can use to further build their skills and knowledge.
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74	Inclusion
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76	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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78	Employability
79	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.
80	The programme outcomes capture key employability skills that graduates of an Environmental Science and Management postgraduate 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. Further, a feature of this programme is that it offers students the option of undertaking a dissertation with an external organisation.
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87	[For Undergraduate and Integrated Masters Programmes Only]
88	Are you offering any variations of this programme, such as additional years abroad or industry?
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90	Year abroad			FALSE		Will the year abroad programme be available directly via UCAS; for students to transfer in having entered the main programme; or both?				N/A
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92	Year in industry			FALSE		Will the year in industry programme be available directly via UCAS; for students to transfer in having entered the main programme; or both?				N/A
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94	Year in enterprise			FALSE
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96	Placement year			FALSE
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99	Description of Structure
100	Provide a BRIEF description of the structure of the first stage (UG) or programme (PGT): this is only necessary if this is not evident from the tables below. For instance, an entry might be 'students choose X modules in Autumn Semester from List A and Y modules from List B'. For York Online programmes using the 'carousel' model, the description should include whether any modules have to be taken in a particular order (e.g. if there is an introductory module and/or any constraints on the timing of option and/or ISM or ISM-related modules).