UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORDSchool of Life SciencesDivision of AGESProgramme/course title: BSc (Hons) in Geography and Environmental Management
Awarding and teaching institution: / University of BradfordFinal award: / BSc (Hons) [National Qualifications Framework level H]
Programme title: / Geography and Environmental Management
Programme approved / accredited by: / Not applicable
Duration: / 3 or 4 years full-time; 6 years part-time
UCAS code: / LFR9; LF79
Subject benchmark statement: / Geography, Earth Sciences, Environmental Sciences and Environmental Studies
Date produced:
Last updated : / February 2010
Introduction
The BSc in Geography and Environmental Management centres on the monitoring, planning and management of human impacts on the physical environment in the context of current pressures for more sustainable development. The aim is to prepare students for employment monitoring and influencing behaviours through careers working with regulators, in local government, or commercially in environmental compliance or consultancies. The programme is particularly suitable for you if you have enjoyed your previous studies in human geography or environmental science and want to develop this further in a way which works closely with people and has a professional and applied emphasis.
Geography is fundamental to our understanding of the processes occurring in our physical and cultural environment; environmental management is concerned with how these processes are influenced and controlled. Geography and Environmental Management are therefore closely linked, and draw on a wide array of cognate areas including physical sciences, such as geology and environmental chemistry, the historical sciences, such as archaeology and history, and human sciences, such as psychology, economics and land use planning. At Bradford, our distinctive approach is closely linked with the University’s mission, ‘Making Knowledge Work’. BSc Geography and Environmental Management aims to provide students with an understanding of the processes at work in the environment and a thorough exploration of the ways they are influenced and can be managed.
A characteristic of Bradford’s approach is a high emphasis on field, laboratory and project based learning. This helps you to think about the real application of your learning, (as well as frequently providing very enjoyable experiences!) Current issues in geography, such as global climate and sea level rise, will be explored.
AGES has an excellent research profile, which supports our teaching in all areas. Throughout the course, you will acquire skills that will be useful not only in Geography, but in whatever profession you choose to follow. These include project and time management, critical review and analytical thinking, presentational skills, computer and other applied IT skills and the management of data. These will be taught, practised and assessed. Since 1994, less than 8% of our graduates were still seeking work six months after completing their studies.
A distinctive feature of our awards is the possibility of including a one-year placement between stages two and three, which leads to an independent Diploma of Professional Studies.
Three years or four years?
You may undertake a placement between stages two and three. It is quite clear that students who do undertake a placement not only have an even better chance of employment, but also tend to gain a higher classification in their degree award. You will also receive a Diploma of Professional Studies when you complete the placement successfully.
The skills that you acquire on placement will depend upon the specific programme of training and work, but could include aspects of the following:
- Professional Skills, analysis of landscape formation, the use of analytical instrumentation; geophysical or areal survey; education, heritage and museum work; conservation and ecological management; sustainable development; environmental pollution assessment and control; hazard and risk management; town and country planning.
- Personal Transferable Skills, further development of written and oral communication, problem-solving, administrative and IT skills; statistical analysis; time management; the ability to work independently; self-motivation; adaptability; team working.
Programme Aims
The programme is intended to:
- deliver a flexible programme of study in Geography and Environmental Management, that reflects areas of staff expertise;
- encourage the development of independent learning skills, by providing a supportive, structured environment;
- develop wide subject knowledge and understanding, and provide training in discipline skills to enable graduates to pursue further programmes of study or careers in geography or related practice;
- develop personal transferable skills to enable a significant proportion of graduates to pursue further programmes of study or careers in non-cognate fields;
- provide educational opportunities for mature and alternatively qualified students, as well as for school-leavers and traditionally qualified students.
Programme Learning Outcomes
When you have completed the programme you will be able to:
Knowledge and Understanding
LO1.Appraise the relationship between human and physical aspects of the landscape and the environment in a variety of contexts in the past and present.
LO2.Evaluate examples of the growth, decline and sustainability of human societies within different environmental contexts, and their relation to issues of climate change.
LO3.Critically review issues relating to the management of the contemporary environment including their causes, monitoring and management strategies in the context of sustainable development.
LO4.Confident understanding and use of subject specific theories, paradigms and principles about human influences on the environment, including critical engagement with management regimes such as the planning system and corporate environmental management processes.
Professional Skills
LO5.Critically develop, apply, report interpret and reflect on strategies for collecting data in the lab and field including use of basic numerical and statistical techniques, application of a GIS package, and interpretation of data from human subjects via observation, documentary analysis, interview or survey.
LO6.Formulate a research design and complete a substantial work of independent study
Personal Transferable Skills
LO7.Employ skills in independent learning including: identifying, accessing and citing authoritative information from a variety of sources; time management, IT and computer assisted learning skills; and critical reflection on own learning
LO8.Appropriately employ written and oral communications skills including essay writing, report writing, the preparation of a curriculum vitae, and presentation within a conference format
LO9.Work effectively in a team, taking full responsibility for both process and outcome
Curriculum
Stage 1
Module Code / Module Title / Type / Credits / Level / Study periodEN-1001D / Contemporary issues in Geography and Environmental Management / Core / 20 / 1 / 1
EN-1003D / Global Environmental Systems / Core / 20 / 1 / 1
EN-1005L / Environmental Investigation Techniques / Core / 20 / 1 / 1
EN-1002L / Physical Geography I: Landscape and process / Core / 20 / 1 / 2
EN-1004D / AGES Field Trip I (Malham) / Core / 20 / 1 / 2
AR-2007D / Humans: Past and Present / Core / 20 / 1 / 2
Stage 1 introduces the four major strands of the degree programme. First, Environmental Investigation and AGES Field Course I (Malham) introduce the main processes of through which we explore the geographical world: you will examine what science is, and practice ‘doing’ environmental and geographical science in the laboratory and field. Second, Global Environmental Systems and Physical Geography 1 are both concerned with processes that occur within the physical landscape. You will learn about the large scale processes like plate tectonics, you will also explore more local processes of landscape change like deposition in a river. Third, Contemporary Issues in Geography and Environmental Management and Humans Past and Present focus on debates and dilemmas about interactions between humans and the environment in the past and present. Finally, Environmental Investigation Techniques and Contemporary Issues in Human Geography are concerned with preparing you with some of the personal and professional skills you will need to become an effective environmental practitioner. You will learn safe laboratory and field practices, you will also explore how to reflect on and improve your own learning.
In stage 1 you will develop knowledge and understanding of geographical principles, preparing you for the more detailed concentration on your subject matter in stages 2 and 3. By the end of stage 1 you will be able to appreciate the breadth and range of the discipline, will have gained a broad understanding of the principles of environmental investigation and put them into practice in the field, you will also have an understanding of key themes and topics in natural processes and human influences on the environment. As stage 1 is shared with the BSc Geography and BSc Environmental Sciences, it will also be possible for students to change programmes at this stage if, having gained a fuller understanding of the discipline, you feel that one of these alternative programmes will better equip them for the career path you have in mind.
Stage 2
Module Code / Module Title / Type / Credits / Level / Study periodEN-2008D / Water and its management / Core / 20 / 2 / 3
EN-2314D / Introduction to GIS / Core / 20 / 2 / 3
EN-2003L / Environmental Impact Assessment / Core / 20 / 2 / 3 &4
EN-2002L / Data Collection and Analysis / Core / 20 / 2 / 3 & 4
EN-2001L / Environmental Management: Case Studies / Core / 20 / 2 / 4
EN-2004D / AGES Field Course II (Majorca) / Core / 20 / 2 / 4
Stage 2 develops your understanding of human interactions with the environment in greater depth. Water and its Management focuses on these interactions in a particular environmental arena, while Environmental Management Case Studies, and Environmental Impact Assessment develop your knowledge of managing human impacts in an organisational and development context respectively. You continue some learning about the physical environment through the AGES field course, and through Water and its Management. The AGES field course, Introduction to GIS and Data Collection and Analysis all continue to become more proficient in the practice of scientific investigation and presentation. Finally, Environmental Impact Assessment maintains your professional skills, developing your ability to work in a team and prepare reports for professional audiences.
By the end of stage 2 you will be able to critically discuss current themes, issues and approaches in geography and will have gained a critical appreciation of issues in environmental management and professional practice (preparing you for the optional Placement Year). You will have developed skills in geographical fieldwork as well as a range of transferable skills (e.g. in data gathering and evaluation, CV preparation, group-work).
Stage 3
Module Code / Module Title / Type / Credits / Level / Study periodAR-5305K / Individual Project / Core / 40 / 3 / 5 & 6
EN-3325D / Geohazards: Past, Present and Future / Option / 20 / 3 / 5
New / Environmental Law and Governance / Core / 20 / 3 / 5
New / Urbanisation / Option / 20 / 3 / 5
EN-2005D / Environmental Monitoring / Option / 20 / 3 / 5
AR8132D / Reconstructing Past Environments / Option / 20 / 3 / 6
New / Ecological Management and Nature Conservation / Option / 20 / 3 / 6
New / Professional Project / Core / 20 / 3 / 6
Stage 3 further develops your understanding of the management of the environment (Environmental Law and Governance), and provides you with the opportunity to develop and refine your analytical skills in a major piece of guided research (Individual Project). The Professional Project module further develops the professional skills learnt in your first and second year through a group-managed project for a client. Other modules are all presented as options, allowing students to select from a range of modules as best suits their own perceived needs as they acquire greater confidence and understanding of their personal aspirations and career plans.
By the end of stage 3 you will be able to critically evaluate research in your field, understand and participate in environment management exercises geared to the world of employment in the physical environment sector, and further refine your understandings of geographical evidence. You will have developed enhanced skills transferable skills (especially in critical thinking, presentation and team-work).
The Curriculum meets the requirements of the subject benchmark statement for Geography published by the QAAHE.
The curriculum may change, subject to the University's course approval, monitoring and review procedures.
Intensive Part Time Route
There is an option of studying Geography and Environmental Management on an intensive part time route, taking in 80 credits per year over a four and half year period. The following table indicates which modules are studied when in relation to the study period (semester), numbered one to nine to cover the full four and a half year period.
Stage 1
Module Code / Module Title / Type / Credits / Level / Study periodEN-1001D / Contemporary issues in Geography and Environmental Management / Core / 20 / 1 / 1
EN-1003D / Global Environmental Systems / Core / 20 / 1 / 3
EN-1005L / Environmental Investigation Techniques / Core / 20 / 1 / 1
EN-1002L / Physical Geography I: Landscape and process / Core / 20 / 1 / 2
EN-1004D / AGES Field Trip I (Malham) / Core / 20 / 1 / 2
AR-2007D / Humans: Past and Present / Core / 20 / 1 / 4
Stage 2
Module Code / Module Title / Type / Credits / Level / Study periodEN-2008D / Water and its management / Core / 20 / 2 / 5
EN-2314D / Introduction to GIS / Core / 20 / 2 / 5
EN-2003L / Environmental Impact Assessment / Core / 20 / 2 / 3 4
EN-2002L / Data Collection and Analysis / Core / 20 / 2 / 34
EN-2001L / Environmental Management: Case Studies / Core / 20 / 2 / 6
EN-2004D / AGES Field Course II (Majorca) / Core / 20 / 2 / 6
Stage 3
Module Code / Module Title / Type / Credits / Level / Study periodAR-5305K / Individual Project / Core / 40 / 3 / 9
EN-3325D / Geohazards: Past, Present and Future / Option / 20 / 3 / 7
New / Environmental Law and Governance / Core / 20 / 3 / 7
New / Urbanisation / Option / 20 / 3 / 7
EN-2005D / Environmental Monitoring / Option / 20 / 3 / 7
AR8132D / Reconstructing Past Environments / Option / 20 / 3 / 8
New / Ecological Management and Nature Conservation / Option / 20 / 3 / 8
New / Professional Project / Core / 20 / 3 / 8
Teaching and Assessment Strategies
The teaching and learning strategy takes into consideration the learning outcomes, progression through the levels of study, the nature of the subject and the student intake, and the need for you to take greater responsibility for your own learning as you progress through the course.
The assessment strategy is designed to support the learning outcomes of each course and each specific module. A wide range of formative and summative assessment methods are used, including essays, worksheets, laboratory reports, group-work, poster and oral presentations, reflective journals and examinations.
For example:
- In the core module Environmental Impact Assessment at stage 2, students are expected to set up and work in an interdisciplinary ‘consultancy’ team, to prepare ‘consultancy-type’ CVs, and to make a scoping assessment and recommendations about one development proposal. The group work is formative, preparing students for assessed group work at stage 3. Summative assessment, via a 3000 word technical report (80%), assesses the application of knowledge specific to environmental management while an oral presentation (20%) assesses skills in communicating specialist knowledge. The twin forms of assessment – technical report and oral presentation – are thus specifically geared to assessing key outcomes for this module.
- In the core module Professional Project at stage 3, which develops the skills and knowledge learned in Environmental Impact Assessment, students in groups learn in how to tender for, cost and carry out a desk-assessment in relation to a ‘real’ development proposal for a client. This module draws together skills learnt throughout the course in a mock consultancy situation, drawing on archaeological and environmental knowledge. Through challenging groups to take full responsibility for both the process and outcome of their work, this module develops skills in project planning, group working and reflection. Students learn through a series of structured workshops, field visits (both laboratory and field-based) and group-work. Assessment is tailored to address the specific needs of the module. There will be formative opportunity to hand in one set of meeting agenda/minutes for inspection and comment. Summative assessment includes a second set of agenda/minutes submitted as a piece of group work (20%), as well as a tender document (a group report) (50%) and a reflective summary submitted as an individual piece of work (30%).
Assessment Regulations
This Programme conforms to the standard University Assessment Regulations which are available at the following link:
Admission Requirements
The University welcomes applications from all potential students regardless of their previous academic experience; offers are made following detailed consideration of each individual application. Most important in the decision to offer a place is our assessment of a candidate’s potential to benefit from their studies and of their ability to succeed on this particular programme. Entrance requirements for each programme will vary but consideration of your application will be based on a combination of your formal academic qualifications and other relevant experience.
If you have prior certificated learning or professional experience which may be equivalent to parts of this programme, the University has procedures to evaluate this learning in order to provide you with exemptions from specified modules contained within the curriculum. Please talk to us if you do not fit the standard pattern of entry qualifications.
The University of Bradford has always welcomed applications from disabled students, and these will be considered on the same academic grounds as are applied to all applicants. If you have some form of disability you may wish to contact the programme leader before you apply.
A typical offer to someone seeking entry through the UCAS main scheme would be 240 points (CCC). Applications are welcome from mature students (those over 21 years of age on entry) and from candidates with non-standard qualifications (eg Science Foundation Course, BTEC, a 12 unit VCE Double award in science, Scottish Higher or Irish Leaving Certificate, International Baccalaureate, GNVQ or Access qualifications in science) or, lacking academic qualifications, having significant relevant experience. Up to 40 students are admitted to Stage 1 each year.
Learning Resources
The JB Priestley Library on the city campus and our specialist libraries in the School of Health and the School of Management provide a wide range of printed and electronic resources to support your studies. We offer quiet study space if you want to work on your own, and group study areas for the times when you need to discuss work with fellow students. Subject librarians for each School provide training sessions and individual guidance in finding the information you need for your assignment, and will help you organise your references properly.