Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE EMP5033

 
TITLE Practice in Environmental Monitoring and Assessment

 
UM LEVEL 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course

 
MQF LEVEL 7

 
ECTS CREDITS 12

 
DEPARTMENT Environmental Management and Planning

 
DESCRIPTION The scope of this study-unit is to provide students with the necessary skills and hands-on experience to conduct environmental monitoring and appraisal. In this regard, students are introduced to different research methods (quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods), with an initial focus on core quantitative monitoring techniques. They are then introduced to specific techniques related to the main thematics of the course: water, air, soil, noise and habitat & species by means of work placements at chosen research facilities, analytical laboratories and field experiences.

There is also an element of self-directed learning - supplementary and complementary to lecture materials, as well as private study and research for, and preparation of the study unit assignment.

Study-Unit Aims:

The aim of this study-unit is to equip students with the necessary skills necessary to conduct environmental monitoring and appraisal that can form part of their research studies.

This study-unit introduces students to the science of collecting environmental data by various means so as to answer vital questions about the state of the environment.

It is aimed at providing students with the knowledge to apply environmental observation data analysis to their research interests falling within the scope of this postgraduate course.

Moreover, it will introduce students to a range of technologies in a breadth of application contexts. When linked to the other study units of this course, students will be able to contextualize the various skills needed for environmental monitoring and assessment.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

1. Identify the value of scientific approaches when collecting, processing, and interpreting environmental data and information for environmental management;
2. Determine the stringent concepts of an environmental monitoring programme;
3. Participate in new or existing monitoring programmes by means of environmental data collection, analysis and appraisal;
4. Apply a range of analytical techniques using instruments and specialised software toward solving quantitative analysis in the thematics offered by the course.

2. Skills:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

1. Demonstrate excellent proficiency in environmental monitoring and analysis;
2. Demonstrate sound analytical and technical skills as well as the practical experience necessary to investigate and assess man-made and/or natural environmental changes and impacts in a scientific context;
3. Examine different forms of human impacts and how they can affect environmental quality;
4. By means of specific work placements available students will have the right skills to select sound approaches to collect, process and interpret environmental data within the context of environmental management;
5. Develop positive attitudes at workplaces, including punctuality, dependability, communicate effectively, and self motivate.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

Please refer to the textbooks listed under EMP 5028, EMP 5029, EMP 5030, EMP 5031

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Fieldwork and Placement

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Portfolio SEM3 Yes 100%

 
LECTURER/S Belinda Gambin (Co-ord.)

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit