2022/23 BSc Environment, Ecology and Economics Programme Design Document

	A	C	F	G	I	K	L	M	N	O	P	Q	R	S	T	U	V	W	X	Y	Z	AA	AB	AC	AD	AE	AF	AG	AH	AI	AJ	AK	AL	AM	AN
1	Programme Information & PLOs
2	Title of the new programme – including any year abroad/ in industry variants
3	BSc Environment, Ecology and Economics
4	Level of qualification
5	Please select:				Level 6
6	Please indicate if the programme is offered with any year abroad / in industry variants																				Year in Industry Please select Y/N								No
7																					Year AbroadPlease select Y/N								Yes
8	Department(s): Where more than one department is involved, indicate the lead department
9	Lead Department		Department of Environment and Geography
10	Other contributing Departments:		N/A
11	Programme Leader
12	Dr. Marco Sakai
13	Purpose and learning outcomes of the programme
14	Statement of purpose for applicants to the programme
15	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 natural and social sciences. As a student in this degree, you will learn that underlying every cause of environmental degradation there are complex interactions of many socioeconomic factors, and how individuals, firms or nations can be induced to make more responsible decisions. You will be taught from lecturers in their own field including and include ecologists, economists, geographers, biologists and environmental scientists; all experts working on the front line 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.
16	Programme Learning OutcomesPlease provide six to eight statements of what a graduate of the programme can be expected to do. Taken together, these outcomes should capture the distinctive features of the programme. They should also be outcomes for which progressive achievement through the course of the programme can be articulated, and which will therefore be reflected in the design of the whole programme.
17	PLO	On successful completion of the programme, graduates will be able to:
18	1	Debate, interpret and explain the ecological principles and human interactions which underlie environmental management at a range of scales using appropriate methods and norms, and engage critically with theory, knowledge and emerging issues in environmental economics, ecology and environmental studies [Knowledgeable and aware]
19	2	Obtain, synthesise and critically evaluate complex information on ecology, economics and environmental studies from a wide range of reliable sources [Independent learner]
20	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]
21	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]
22	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]
23	6	Effectively communicate knowledge, complex ideas and persuasive arguments to professional and non-specialist audiences using verbal, written, visual and digital media [Effective communicator]
24	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]
25	8	Work responsibly as part of a team or as a team-leader to set challenging yet attainable goals [Team player]
26	Programme Learning Outcome for year in industry (where applicable) For programmes which lead to the title ‘with a Year in Industry’ – typically involving an additional year – please provide either a) amended versions of some (at least one, but not necessarily all) of the standard PLOs listed above, showing how these are changed and enhanced by the additional year in industry b) an additional PLO, if and only if it is not possible to capture a key ability developed by the year in industry by alteration of the standard PLOs.
27	N/A
28	Programme Learning Outcome for year abroad programmes (where applicable) For programmes which lead to the title ‘with a Year Abroad’ – typically involving an additional year – please provide either a) amended versions of some (at least one, but not necessarily all) of the standard PLOs listed above, showing how these are changed and enhanced by the additional year abroad or b) an additional PLO, if and only if it is not possible to capture a key ability developed by the year abroad by alteration of the standard PLOs.
29	N/A
30	Explanation of the choice of Programme Learning OutcomesPlease explain your rationale for choosing these PLOs in a statement that can be used for students (such as in a student handbook). Please include brief reference to:
31	i) Why the PLOs are considered ambitious or stretching?
32	Through achieving our programme outcomes you will be equipped with the abilities and confidence to improve our understanding of the world around us and work towards developing sustainable solutions to today’s environmental problems. Our outcomes require you to be critical in terms of the information you use and the research tools you employ, persuasive and clear in the ways in which you communicate, and interdisciplinary in your approaches towards understanding the environment and recommending solutions to problems. These are all characteristics that we will help you to develop through our Environment, Economics and Ecology degree and will enable you to be successful in your future career.
33	ii) The ways in which these outcomes are distinctive or particularly advantageous to the student:
34	The programme outcomes capture the key employability skills that graduates of an Environment, Economics and Ecology degree will be asked to demonstrate when applying for successful and rewarding careers in this field of work. By providing you with a clear pathway towards achieving these learning outcomes through Key Points Training (KPT) and plentiful opportunities to use and practice these skills you will be able to draw on specific examples of work that you have undertaken to evidence your accomplishments to potential future employers. Through interactions with external environmental and industrial organisations you will see how the skills embedded in our programme outcomes can be used in the workplace.
35	iii) How the programme learning outcomes develop students’ digital literacy and will make appropriate use of technology-enhanced learning (such as lecture recordings, online resources, simulations, online assessment, ‘flipped classrooms’ etc)?
36	a. Digital literacy - Through our Environment, Economics and Ecology degree you will develop the key digital skills needed for effective communication, finding and using reliable sources, and analysing quantitative and qualitative datasets. You will receive training in the use of the relevant digital tools at key points throughout your degree and be provided with opportunities to use them in a range of applications. This will ensure that when you graduate you are ready to effectively apply these tools in a work-based setting; b. Technology-enhanced learning - We have developed an online site (the KPT Skills Hub) that you can use to develop key skills, and improve and progress throughout your degree. The online Skills Hub complements the teaching you will receive during contact hours and gives you the tools and flexibility to work on key skills development in your own time.
37	iv) How the PLOs support and enhance the students’ employability (for example, opportunities for students to apply their learning in a real world setting)? The programme's employablity objectives should be informed by the University's Employability Strategy:
38	http://www.york.ac.uk/about/departments/support-and-admin/careers/staff/
39	The programme outcomes capture the key employability skills that graduates of an Environment, Economics and Ecology degree will be asked to demonstrate when applying for successful and rewarding careers in this field of work. By providing you with a clear pathway towards achieving these learning outcomes through Key Points Training (KPT) and plentiful opportunities to use and practice these skills you will be able to draw on specific examples of work that you have undertaken to evidence your accomplishments to potential future employers. Through interactions with external environmental and industrial organisations you will see how the skills embedded in our programme outcomes can be used in the workplace. (note same text as in box ii as I think the link to employability is the major benefit to students)
40	vi) How will students who need additional support for academic and transferable skills be identified and supported by the Department?
41	In every case Key Points Training is linked to a key piece of assessment. The result of this assessment will signpost to you and to the department how you are progressing towards the programme outcomes as you move through your degree. We have developed an online resource (the KPT Skills Hub) that you can use outside of contact hours to support your effective development of the skills needed to be successful in your chosen degree programme. Our programmes are also designed so that you have a wide range of opportunities to use and practice key skills developed in KPT training in a number of other core and optional modules.
42	vii) How is teaching informed and led by research in the department/ centre/ University?
43	We are a research-active department and share our latest research findings and methods with you through our teaching. Throughout your degree you will be actively involved in designing and undertaking research projects aimed at both understanding the world around us and solving environmental problems. All of our courses include fieldtrips that allow you to see how the theory and knowledge you have been taught in lectures apply in a range of national and international settings. Through tutorials and seminars you will gain experience in discussing cutting-edge research and develop key communication skills. Lectures are supplemented by guest speakers from the environmental think-tank the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), and a range of external environmental and industrial organisations, exposing you to potential areas of future employment throughout your degree.
44	Stage-level progression Please complete the table below, to summarise students’ progressive development towards the achievement of PLOs, in terms of the characteristics that you expect students to demonstrate at the end of each year. This summary may be particularly helpful to students and the programme team where there is a high proportion of option modules. Note: it is not expected that a position statement is written for each PLO, but this can be done if preferred (please add information in the 'individual statement' boxes). For a statement that applies across all PLOs in the stage fill in the 'Global statement' box.
45	Stage 0 (if your programme has a Foundation year, use the toggles to the left to show the hidden rows)
49	Stage 1
50	On progression from the first year (Stage 1), students will be able to:											Engage with theory, knowledge and emerging issues in environmental studies, economics and ecology and be able to undertake research as part of a group
51	PLO 1		PLO 2			PLO 3					PLO 4					PLO 5					PLO 6					PLO 7					PLO 8
52	Demonstrate core knowledge of economic and ecological principles relevant for understanding environmental management challenges, and the concept of sustainable development		Obtain and use relevant sources using database tools such as Web of Science to support information needs			Demonstrate awareness of the complexity of global environmental problems, and be able to describe them with reference to the three core disciplines of economics, ecology and environmental studies					Confidently collect primary and secondary data and design some aspects of a research project as part of a group					Organise and present summaries of datasets and use basic statistical methods and programmes to analyse quantitative and qualitative data with guidance					Communicate effectively both verbally in small group discussions and group presentations, and in writing via essays and reports, and be confident in using a range of computer-based programmes to present and submit work					Demonstrate an awareness of real world environmental problems and the ways in which they can be avoided and mitigated					Work in groups to gather data in the laboratory and fleld, solve problems and present findings and ideas
53	Stage 2
54	On progression from the second year (Stage 2), students will be able to:											Use theoretical and practical knowledge to design and undertake research as part of a group, and critically evaluate sustainable solutions to environmental problems
55	PLO 1		PLO 2			PLO 3					PLO 4					PLO 5					PLO 6					PLO 7					PLO 8
56	Apply increasingly advanced knowledge of economic and ecological principles to critically evaluate policy instruments designed to solve environmental problems and environmental management issues at a range of scales		Synthesise and critically evaluate information from relevant sources to develop persuasive arguments			Engage with literature and data from across the three core disciplines of economics, ecology and environmental studies to formulate ideas and arguments					Design and implement a research project as part of a group, including identifying relevant research questions and developing research proposals					Start to independently design approaches for data analysis using increasingly complex statistical methods and employ a wider range of computer based programmes,such as ARCGIS, for data analysis					Articulate and visualise persuasive arguments, ideas, data and theories effectively and fluently via essays, reports, exams, discussions, and verbal presentations					Critically evaluate existing solutions to environmental policy problems using a multi-scalar perspective					Work effectively as part of a group or as a group leader in field, laboratory and classroom contexts, confidently expressing views whilst also respecting the opinions of others
57	Programme Structure
58	Module Structure and Summative Assessment Map Please complete the summary table below which shows the module structure and the pattern of summative assessment through the programme. ‘Option module’ can be used in place of a specific named option. If the programme requires students to select option modules from specific lists these lists should be provided in the next section. From the drop-down select 'S' to indicate the start of the module, 'A' to indicate the timing of each distinct summative assessment point (eg. essay submission/ exam), and 'E' to indicate the end of the module (if the end of the module coincides with the summative assessment select 'EA') . It is not expected that each summative task will be listed where an overall module might be assessed cumulatively (for example weekly problem sheets). If summative assessment by exams will be scheduled in the summer Common Assessment period (weeks 5-7) a single ‘A’ can be used within the shaded cells as it is understood that you will not know in which week of the CAP the examination will take place.
59	Stage 0 (if you have modules for Stage 0, use the toggles to the left to show the hidden rows)
73	Stage 1
74	Credits	Module				Autumn Term										Spring Term										Summer Term
75		Code		Title		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
76	10	ENV00031C		Frontiers in Sustainability Research		S								A	EA
77	10	ENV00030C		Introduction to Ecological and Environmental Economics												S									EA
78	20	ENV00028C		Data Analysis for Environmental Research		S									A										EA
79	20	ENV00002C		Ecological Principles for the Environment											S											A			E	A
80	10	ENV00018C		Environment, Development and Society		S									E	A
81	10	ENV00026C		Qualitative Approaches to Social Science Research												S									E		A
82	20	ENV00009C		Economic Principles		S																	A		E					A
83	20	ENV00007C		Field Project (Huge & EEE)																			S			A			A				EA
84	Stage 2
85	Credits	Module				Autumn Term										Spring Term										Summer Term
86		Code		Title		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
87	20	ENV00029I		Applied Economics for the Environment												S								A	E					A
88	20	ENV00026I		Environmental Policy		S															A				E					A
89	10	ENV00001I		Ocean Management and Conservation		S									E	A
90	10	ENV00030I		Economics of Sustainable Development		S									EA
91	20	ENV00034I		Tenerife Field Course: Environment, Economics & Ecology																			S			E			A	A
92	10	ENV00036I		Ecological methodology		S									EA
93	20	ENV00013I		Energy and the Environment		S										A									E		A
94	20	ENV00024I		Ecosystem Processes		S															A				E					A
95	10	ENV00002I		Climate Change: Science, Observations and Impacts												S									EA
96	10	ENV00012I		Geographical Information Systems		S									EA
97	20	ENV00023I		Food, Space, Culture and Society		S										A									E					A
98	20	ENV00028I		Geographies of Development		S													A						E				A
99	20	ENV00021I		Megacities and Urbanisation		S											A								E					A
100	10	ENV00022I		Sustainable Tourism and Transport												S									E			A
101	10	ECO00025I		Economics II - Microeconomics		S									EA
102	Stage 3
103	Credits	Module				Autumn Term										Spring Term										Summer Term
104		Code		Title		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
105	40	ENV00011H		3rd Year Research Project		S																						EA
106	20	ENV00044H		Environmental and Natural Resource Economics		S									A								A		EA
107	20	ENV00036H		Biodiversity and Society		S													A						E					A
108	20	ENV00034H		Atmosphere and Ocean Science		S								A											E					A
109	20	ENV00040H		Land Use Change and Management		S														A					E					A
110	20	ENV00041H		Environmental Hazards		S									A										E					A
111	20	ENV00033H		Gender, Environment and Global Poverty		S											A								E					A
112	20	ENV00031H		Environmental Psychology for a Sustainable Society		S												A							E					A
113	20	ENV00032H		Production and Consumption Geographies - Fieldtrip to Prague		S			A			A			EA
114	20	MAN00014H		Strategic Management of Risk												S									E
115	20	MAN00043H		Real Options Valuation												S									EA
116	Optional module listsIf the programme requires students to select option modules from specific lists these lists should be provided below. If you need more space, use the toggles on the left to reveal ten further hidden rows.