This course provides a foundational understanding of the core concepts of research design and introduces a range of quantitative and qualitative methods for environmental risk assessment and management, equipping students with the necessary tools and approaches to analyse environmental risks in different contexts and develop solutions to mitigate these risks.

2-hour lecture and 2-hour practical/workshop/project session weekly.

None

None

Independent data analysis (30%): using Monte Carlo Analysis to estimate groundwater contamination risk

Group project (30%): managing the risks of extreme events and disasters to advance climate change adaptation

Research proposal (40%): prepare a proposal for a hypothetical research project related to environmental risk

The overall aims of the course are to:

■ Introduce students to the core concepts of research design and provide an opportunity to apply these concepts in preparing a research proposal;

■ Provide students with the necessary methodological tools and approaches to analyse environmental risks;

■ Enable students to think critically about the risk analyses in different environmental contexts and develop solutions to mitigate these risks;

■ Strengthen students' teamworking and communication skills through undertaking a group project in the context of environmental risk and management;

■ Give students a grounding in approaches to environmental science research which will be useful to them when they begin their own dissertation.

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

■ Develop, plan, execute and write up a challenging and substantial environmental risk-related project;

■ Develop a scientifically valid research hypothesis and robust scientific argument;

■ Conduct environmental risk assessments using a range of tools and techniques and following the appropriate qualitative and/or quantitative methods;

■ Apply teamworking and communication skills through undertaking a group project in the context of environmental risk and management.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.