Educational aims
This qualification aims to provide you with a broad knowledge and understanding of how the environmental impacts of technology in human activity systems can be shaped and managed in innovative ways. It also aims to help you to develop broad study and interdisciplinary skills, and to understand different disciplinary approaches to improve environmental management through ethical actions at individual, organisational and societal levels.
More specifically, the qualification aims to develop your:
- knowledge and understanding of the scientific, technical and socio-economic factors involved in the environmental impacts of complex human activity systems
- knowledge and understanding of the impacts of energy use, waste management and environmental pollution and some of the technologies associated with them
- skills in the use of tools, methods and technologies that can be used to better seek appropriate information, to enhance design tasks and to improve the ‘managing’ practices that will contribute to environmental improvements in complex human activity systems
- skills of analysis, evaluation and communication, utilising digital technologies to improve learning and performance.
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
At the end of this certificate you will be able to demonstrate that you know about and understand:
- the structure, processes and sustainability of environmental systems
- the interaction between environment, development, organisations, human cultures and values
- relevant aspects of the contribution of natural sciences, social sciences and technology disciplines to the identification, understanding and possible resolution of environmental issues and concerns
- alternative interpretations of and conflicting interests involved in environmental questions and potential solutions.
Cognitive skills
At the end of the certificate you will be able to:
- use your knowledge and understanding to describe and interpret defined aspects of our environment
- know about and begin to analyse environmental issues
- develop, compare and begin to evaluate arguments concerning our environment.
Practical and/or professional skills
On completion of this certificate, you will be able to:
- plan and organise your work and reflect on your learning
- develop a range of transferable skills for employment and future study.
Key skills
At the end of the certificate you will have started to become an independent learner by:
- developing your skills in reading, writing and communicating in a variety of media about our environment and associated issues
- searching for and evaluating information from a variety of sources
- developing your skills in interpreting data, using models and performing calculations relevant to our environment.
Teaching, learning and assessment methods
Teaching and learning is through a combination of both print and online resources, involving various activities, audio-visual and software tools. These resources are both bespoke and externally sourced.
Assessment is through a mix of tutor-marked assignments (TMAs), examinations and end-of-module assessments (EMAs).