Postgraduate Course: Environmental Ethics and Governance (BIME11157)

Course Outline
School	Deanery of Biomedical Sciences	College	College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine
Credit level (Normal year taken)	SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate)
Course type	Online Distance Learning	Availability	Not available to visiting students
SCQF Credits	20	ECTS Credits	10
Summary	This course explores the decisions, responsibilities and challenges that underpin many environmental and conservation interventions. From individual research projects to broader requirements of good governance we look at the ethical frameworks that assist in directing meaningful environmental science.
Course description	Despite the large number of international conventions that individually and collectively provide a substantial framework for sustainable and joined-up environmental protection, there is currently deep concern that this framework is not fulfilling its environmental governance purpose. While many international conventions have had a clear and measurable impact on aspects of the environment such as migratory species, wetlands etc., there have been calls recently for a complete rethink on global environmental governance policy. It is essential that we give our students the opportunity to develop their thinking on the many ethical and governance aspects of conservation activities. This course will provide a platform for discussion and reflection on a variety of case examples. Students will be encouraged to analyse in depth the many conflicts that can exist in the development and implementation of new technologies or strategies and to come to their own conclusions as to what is acceptable. This course is less focused on what we can' do to consider rather what we should or should not do.

Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites		Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations		Other requirements	None

Course Delivery Information

Academic year 2022/23, Not available to visiting students (SS1)		Quota: None
Course Start	Flexible
Course Start Date	08/08/2022
Timetable	Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info)	Total Hours: 200 ( Seminar/Tutorial Hours 40, Online Activities 50, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 106 )
Assessment (Further Info)	Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment)	Provide details of the Components of Assessment used and their relative weights as percentages Coursework 100% Written = 40% Online = 60% (30%+30%) Assessments will cover the five learning objectives, although the specific details and focus of the assessment items will be flexible to ensure the topics are current and of relevance/importance in this field of study and adaptable to class sizes. LO1 and LO2 will be assessed through an individual written assignment submission. This may develop from a group activity which will itself demonstrate LO5. LO3 and LO4 will be assessed through interrogation of evidence and policy making via separate online asynchronous peer to peer discussions.
Feedback	Formative feedback will be available to students for both assignments if required. An open discussion forum (visible to all students on the course) will be available for each assignment where students can ask questions about what is required of them. They can check they have interpreted the assignment brief correctly and seek guidance on whether their general ideas are appropriate before they complete and submit their work. Extensive summative feedback will be given for both assignments. The written assignment will be marked up directly in Grademark and additional summary feedback provided. Feedback for the online assignment will be in the form of general comments on the level of engagement, content and quality of postings. In both cases, feedback will clearly identify both positives and areas for improvement.
No Exam Information

Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to: Critically evaluate and confidently apply an ethical framework to common conservation issues and activities. Collect and organise a dataset and apply appropriate graphical and statistical methods to this dataset. Explore and critically engage with the current challenges to global environmental governance. Critically appraise the role of science in environmental decision making. Work as part of a group to make decisions and work effectively to reach a shared goal.