ES5098 Environmental Monitoring Project

Academic year

2025 to 2026 Full Year

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

60

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 11

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Students must be enrolled on a postgraduate level degree at the School of Earth and Environmental Science

Planned timetable

To be confirmed

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr W McCarthy

Dr W McCarthy
This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Earth and Environmental Sciences staff

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

Designed with leading environmental and geotechnical consultancies, this capstone module applies scientific training to practical workplace skills. ES5098 provides a clear pathway to employment through strong industry collaboration, networking and high-impact placements. Semester 1 covers project management, technical report writing, and field based surveying. In Semester 2, industry partners lead lectures and workshops showcasing best practices and advertise placement opportunities. During the summer, students complete a research dissertation or a six-week work placement with an attached focus project. Placements are undertaken usually with our established industry partners, but alternatives are possible with Module Coordinator approval and a written employer commitment. Acceptance onto a work placement role requires a successful interview; students not on placement complete a University-based research project.

Assessment pattern

100% Coursework

Re-assessment

not applicable

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

Semester 1, 1 x 4hrs x 4 weeks, Semester 2, 1 x 2 hrs x 3 weeks. Summer supervision, 1 x 1 hrs x 5 weeks. Fieldwork: This module is mostly taught in the field, followed by additional sample analysis in the teaching lab.

Scheduled learning hours

135

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

440

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • independently collect data using applied analytical techniques in environmental sciences
  • identify seasonal patterns in environmental parameters
  • demonstrate a high level of quantitative understanding of the effects of farming and industrial pollution on local watersheds
  • demonstrate ownership of transferrable skills in data management, teamwork, time management and project planning
  • develop & address a research question as part of masters level dissertation