GVMENVC-Environmental Consultancy

Module Provider: Geography and Environmental Science
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Sarah Duddigan
Email: s.duddigan@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

You will work in a team of students to deliver an Environmental Consultancy project for a client which will involve planning and executing a sampling strategy, collecting primary data, plotting spatial data, interpreting the data to make recommendations, writing a consultancy-style report, and presenting findings to an expert panel.

You will benefit from a genuine environmental consultancy experience that can be used as a convincing case study to demonstrate competencies to future employers.

Aims:

To apply knowledge acquired in other modules to conduct a genuine environmental consultancy project with the subsequent presentation of the findings to a panel consisting of regulators and practitioners from the environmental industry.

Assessable learning outcomes:

Students will produce a site investigation report at the conclusion of the module and collective presentation to a panel consisting of regulators and practitioners from the environment industry.

Additional outcomes:

By the end of this module, you should be able to:

• Undertake a complex environmental project as part of an equitable team


• Design a sampling strategy


• Present spatial data


• Interpret and evaluate environmental data in the context of legislation


• Present the findings of an environmental investigation to a client


• Demonstrate competency working in a multidisciplinary and multicultural team

You will undertake a real investigation and develop the associated planning and project management skills that will be beneficial for your Independent Research Project, and beyond.Ìý



You will apply your knowledge from taught modules and further develop your skills in data analysis and sampling design.



You will present your findings to environmental professionals providing an opportunity to develop your presentation skills and network with potential employers.Ìý

Outline content:

The module will commence with a series of lecture-demonstrations introducing the task set by the client and the basic principles of GIS and sampling design. In the second part of the module you will undertake fieldwork and laboratory work to collect and analyse samples. You will then interpret the analysis and create and deliver an oral presentation and a consultancy report for the client. Tutorial support will be provided throughout the module.

Global context:

Environmental Pollution is a global issue and although this module will focus on a real contaminated environment in the UK, the approaches adopted are widely applicable to the activities of environmental consultants globally.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

A mixture of interactive lectures, computer classes, laboratory practicals, and fieldwork will be used in this diverse module.

Contact hours:

Ìý	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		12
Tutorials		12
Demonstration		12
Practicals classes and workshops		52
Fieldwork		12
Guided independent study:		100
Ìý	Ìý	Ìý	Ìý
Total hours by term		200
Ìý	Ìý	Ìý	Ìý
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	60
Oral assessment and presentation	25
Set exercise	15

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

ÌýCoursework 100%:

• Team assessment: Desktop study (15%)


• Team assessment: Oral presentation (25%)


• Individual assessment: Consultancy report (60%)

Formative assessment methods:

Peer feedback will be used to formative feedback relative contributions of team members to the desktop study assessment. Interactive lectures and demonstrations will provide the opportunity for students to practice and receive instant feedback on performance.

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy 'Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes', which can be found here: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf
The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A mark of 50% overallÌý

Reassessment arrangements:

Resubmission of coursework in SeptemberÌý

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1. Required text books:Ìý


2. Specialist equipment or materials:Ìý


3. Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: Students will require sturdy footwear and waterproof clothing for participating in fieldwork.


4. Printing and binding:Ìý


5. Computers and devices with a particular specification:Ìý


6. Travel, accommodation and subsistence:Ìý

Last updated: 13 February 2024