The Sustainability Professional

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• The terminology, nomenclature and classification systems used in environmental science.
• The contribution of environmental science to debate on environmental issues and how knowledge of these forms the basis for informed concern about the Earth and its people.
• The applicability of environmental science to the world of work.
• The need for both a multi-disciplinary and an interdisciplinary approach in advancing knowledge and understanding of Earth systems, drawing, as appropriate, from the natural and the social sciences.
• The contribution of environmental science to the development of knowledge of the world we live in.
• Issues concerning the availability and sustainability of resources, for example, the different value sets relating to the Earth's resources as commodities and/or heritage.

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Solving numerical problems using computer and non-computer-based techniques.
• Evaluating performance as an individual and a team member.
• Appreciating issues of sample selection, accuracy, precision and uncertainty during collection, recording and analysis of data in the field and laboratory.
• Receiving and responding to a variety of information sources (eg textual, numerical, verbal, graphical).
• Recognising and respecting the views and opinions of other team members.
• Communicating appropriately to a variety of audiences in written, verbal and graphical forms.
• Identifying and working towards targets for personal, academic and career development.
• Identifying individual and collective goals and responsibilities and performing in a manner appropriate to these roles.
• Developing an adaptable and flexible approach to study and work.
• Using the internet critically as a means of communication and a source of information.
• Developing the skills necessary for self-managed and lifelong learning (eg working independently, time management and organisation skills).
• Preparing, processing, interpreting and presenting data, using appropriate qualitative and quantitative techniques and packages including geographic information systems.

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Analysing, synthesising and summarising information critically, including prior research.
• Recognising and using subject-specific theories, paradigms, concepts and principles.
• Applying knowledge and understanding to complex and multidimensional problems in familiar and unfamiliar contexts.
• Recognising the moral and ethical issues of investigations and appreciating the need for professional codes of conduct.

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Planning, conducting, and reporting on environmental investigations, including the use of secondary data.
• Collecting, recording and analysing data using appropriate techniques in the field and laboratory.
• Referencing work in an appropriate manner.
• Undertaking field and laboratory investigations in a responsible and safe manner, paying due attention to risk assessment, rights of access, relevant health and safety regulations, and sensitivity to the impact of investigations on the environment and stakeholders.

The Sustainability Professional is a high-level skills practical module delivered in partnership with a range of contributors from local and regional environmental and sustainability consultancies and other organisations. This module aims to provide students with the skills, knowledge and expertise to pursue a career in this rapidly growing employment field. Students will be able to develop academic knowledge of the subject area, but also be able to gain practical experience of professional project work through working in partnership with internal and external experts on ‘real-life’ case studies on a weekly basis. The emphasis in this module is on professional skills development, problem-solving, and group exercises. Students are encouraged to participate in discussion and development of solutions as opposed to traditional lecture-based classes.

Students will complete a series of weekly case study exercises, to be included in a 'Professional Development Reflection and Analysis Report' as an individual submission. written up in the form of a summary analysis report to be submitted as a ‘Sustainability Portfolio’.

Students will work in groups to submit one full consultancy report as the primary assessment.

By the completion of the module, all students will have a sophisticated professional level understanding of this diverse field, experience of working with experienced on case study exercises in a professional capacity, and high number of professional skills to add to their CVs.

Typical Weekly Timetable - depending on availability of external guest speakers

Weeks 1 & 2. Module introduction and Professional Skills development

Weeks 3 to 10. Sustainability and Environmental Management - external expert led group workshops

Week 11. CV and interviews workshops - tips for how to get a job and develop your sustainability career

Week 12. Assessment workshop and module summary

N.B. The workshop areas vary to respond to a new area of scientific and policy importance in the sustainability professional world, but will always focus on the learning outcomes of the module. The order of workshops will vary depending upon the availability of external speakers.

• Lectures
• Discussion and feedback sessions
• Case study workshop
• Student (consultancy group) presentations
• Case study site visits

The module will be delivered by lecture and workshop sessions, with an emphasis on student discussion and group exercises. Students are required to participate in debates and workshops at all times. The lectures will be delivered by the module lead and external experts from a local or regional consultancy. The case-study workshops and student presentations are expert-led with continual feedback from the module lead.

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

Presentation

• Assessment Type: Formative
• Feedback: The module lead provides immediate verbal feedback to each presenter and their group on their progress. The student members of the other groups also provide comments which are moderated by the module lead.
• Final Assessment: No
• Group Work: No

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.