MSc, Postgraduate Diploma/Certificate in Environmental Management , University of London

This module provides a comprehensive understanding of temporal and spatial dynamics of interacting components of natural and semi-natural environments for their management. It deals with the theoretical and mechanistic framework for understanding ecology, and the study of interactions of organisms with each other and with their environments. It introduces key concepts in ecological theory and the functioning of natural environments, referring to the dynamics of populations and communities and the interaction of organisms with their environment at local, landscape and regional/global scales. It examines ecological theory underlying models of sustainability and conservation and explains spatial and temporal patterns observed in natural and perturbed environments. It goes on to explore ecological processes occurring over regional and global scales, as these are essential to the functioning of both natural and human-dominated ecosystems, focusing specifically on the practice of ecology in applied contexts through issues such as biodiversity conservation, human demography, land degradation and agriculture: four interrelated topics that are central to human culture and welfare and are the focus of much debate and controversy.

Please note: this module will be supplied as electronic courseware on CD Rom.

C108
Environmental auditing
Describes how the environmental performance of a company or organisation can be assessed, with appropriate case studies. Explains how much of the cost of improvements can be offset by energy saving and waste minimisation.

C107
Environmental impact assessment
Explains the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process and surveys its application through case studies. Shows how impacts and their mitigation can be incorporated into the process. Considers how EIA can be used in a strategic role, and as a tool for achieving sustainable development.

C170
Introduction to environmental economics and policy
Develops an analytical framework within which to think critically about development planning and practice from a social perspective. The scope of conceptual tools is reviewed, together with an understanding of the interrelations between gender relations and development.

Environmental values in relation to ethical principles and cultural traditions are covered in this module. It considers the development of an environmentalist movement, the interface of science and the environment, and the political impact of environmental concerns. It should provide insights to practitioners and policy makers for best practice and social and political sensitivities.

C114 International environmental law

This course looks at the principles and rules of international law which have as their primary objective the protection of the environment. The course addresses how the international community has recognised and sought to deal with the interdependence of the global environment, from early bilateral arrangements dealing principally with local transboundary pollution to more recent regional and international agreements.

C71
Environmental monitoring
Describes the techniques commonly used in chemical and biological monitoring of the environment. It indicates why monitoring of the environment is important, and describes sampling and analytical methodologies while emphasising good working practice in terms of quality assurance and safety procedures.

C22
Environmental valuation
Develops the theory and techniques of the valuation of non-market goods. The course focuses on the techniques and methods for putting monetary values on the environment and shows how these can be incorporated in economic decision making at both the macro and project level.

C117 Introduction to biodiversity and conservation management

This course provides a broad introduction to the conservation of biological diversity with an emphasis on conservation within ecosystems. It provides an outline of the major elements of global biodiversity: evolution and distribution, and examines the threats to biodiversity and the imperative to conserve. It explains some of the fundamental principles of genetic, species and ecosystem diversity, providing an overview of the techniques available to conserve biodiversity both in situ and ex situ. A further theme is the role of protected areas for conservation and management of biodiversity and the issue of conservation outside protected areas. Social, ethical and policy issues surrounding biodiversity conservation are reviewed at appropriate points in the course.

C132
NGO management
Non-government organisations play an increasingly important role in all aspects of development. They are key actors in the worlds of politics, industry and commerce, influencing both development agendas and policy implementation. This course sets out to explain the key processes that encompass the management of NGOs, and covers issues such as strategic management and decision making, structures and systems (including monitoring and financial management), the generation of financial resources, and improving overall organisational performance.

C101 Sustainable development: approaches and indicators

Although sustainability of human livelihood and enterprise is an old phenomenon, synonymous with the emergence of Homo sapiens, the modern notion of ‘sustainable development’ arose in the last quarter of the 20th century in response to growing international recognition of two related phenomena. First, the failure of attempts to reproduce the development achieved in the high income, industrialised nations of the world among less industrialised, low income countries; and, second, the negative environmental impacts produced by conventional high-consumption and through-put approaches to industrial development.

This module reviews the concept of sustainable development in terms of environmental sustainability and sustainable growth, and addresses a number of the socio-political approaches and indicators for sustainable development. In particular, it addresses the following socio-political dimensions of sustainable development: the state, civil society, local knowledge and resource management, knowledge management, property rights, forums for policy-making, economic globalisation and trade, and indicators. It is complemented by courses on ecosystem approaches, socio-economics and design and innovation related to sustainable development.

Please note: this module will be supplied as electronic courseware on CD Rom

C85
Sustainable Forest Management
Addresses the concerns that forests are disappearing in the tropics and are threatened with pollution in many temperate regions. Yet forests are increasingly important sources of beneficial products and services. Well-managed forest resources with appropriate conservation measures can deliver what the world needs in a sustainable way. Understanding what the issues are, and their consequences, and applying knowledge to achieve sound, robust management are at the heart of this course.

C26
Water resource management
Applies economics to the evaluation of water resource policy. Topics include key economic concepts, the management and sustainability of irrigation and water supply, user participation, and environmental, social and political dimensions of water use.

C106

Research methods

This module aims to provide an introduction to research methods for environmental studies and covers methods appropriate to environmental science and technology and social science. The principal objectives are to provide: an understanding of how to identify research problems and formulate research questions; an understanding of the various types of data; an understanding of how to review literature; knowledge of how to choose an appropriate experimental or survey design; familiarity with a number of quantitative and qualitative data collection methods; familiarity with methods of data collation and storage; an understanding of the most important uses of statistics in you own field; the ability to appropriately choose basic statistical methods and apply them; basic familiarity with the operation of a spreadsheet package and the ability to use it to do statistics; basic familiarity with the operation of one software package for statistical analysis; understanding of how to interpret statistics from environmental studies; competency in writing-up the results; knowledge of how to write a research proposal.

Please note: this module will be supplied as electronic courseware on CD Rom in 2006.

Postgraduate

MSc, Postgraduate Diploma/Certificate in Environmental Management

Syllabus

C100 Ecological science and management

C114 International environmental law

C117 Introduction to biodiversity and conservation management

C101 Sustainable development: approaches and indicators

C106

Research methods