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ESC-20146 - Module Specification
School of Life Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2026/27 Last Updated: 17 March 2026

ESC-20146 - Environmental and Sustainability Impact Assessment: Methods and Research Design
Coordinator: Simon Pemberton Tel: +44 1782 7 33165
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 5
Credits: 30
Study Hours: 300
School Office: 01782 734414

Programme/Approved Electives for 2026/27

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2026/27

Enhance your employability with this hands-on module. You will acquire the specialist field, laboratory, social survey and computer-based research skills required to work in the environmental sector. These skills are attained by completing an Environmental and Sustainability Impact Assessment on Keele campus. By completing the module, you will gain the research, fieldwork and data analysis skills required to conduct your third-year research project.

Aims
The module aims to develop student’s fieldwork research skills applicable to the fields of geography, environmental science, sustainability and ecology and conservation. It builds upon concepts and techniques introduced in the Level 4 practical programme and provides a portfolio of skills applicable to Level 6 independent research projects. Students will gain experience of planning and executing fieldwork research in a real-world setting using appropriate techniques and skills – and an assessment of their effectiveness - via practical classes. Students will learn how to communicate the research process, including research design, research strategy, research methods (for example, surveys, interviews and focus groups), data collection, analysis, interpretation and presentation through carrying out an Environment and Sustainability Impact Assessment (ESIA) in relation to a defined topic. In turn, they will use and apply this knowledge to develop their own dissertation proposal.

Intended Learning Outcomes

critically reflect on the value of a range of specialist geographical techniques (including surveys, interviews and focus groups, laboratory and computer-based) to collect, analyse, evaluate, interpret and present a range of primary and secondary data.: 1,2
work effectively as an individual and collegiately as part of a team to complete a group exercise within a specified time period.: 1
evaluate and apply these techniques in a problem-solving context and report the key findings in a written format.: 1
articulate a research question and write achievable, clear, aims, objectives and hypotheses.: 2
design and evaluate the relevance of an appropriate research strategy conducive to the student's programme of study - geography, environmental science, ecology and conservation or environment and sustainability.: 2

Study hours

Practical classes 66 hours
Practical class orientation session 30 hours
Practical class preparation 30 hours
Preparation and completion of Impact Assessment report 90 hours
Preparation and completion of Dissertation Proposal 60 hours
Independent research and wider reading 24 hours

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Report weighted 60%
Environment and Sustainability Impact Assessment
3,500 word report – students will work in small groups to carry out field, computer and lab work and analyse and present data; however, the report is individual. The report will reflect the characteristics of students who are following the module. For those following physical geography / environmental science-type programmes, the report will involve the development of an Environmental and Sustainability Impact Assessment (ESIA) in relation to a defined topic. For students, following human geography and / or with an interest in the social science aspects of environmental studies, they will complete a report which explores the relative strengths and weaknesses of different data collection methods - tried out in class and on campus - around a defined topic (for example, how to use different methods to explore attitudes towards climate change). In this way, all of the ILOs for the module will be addressed regardless of which report is developed.

2: Research Proposal weighted 40%
Dissertation Research Proposal
2,500 dissertation research proposal.

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. Details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 17 March 2026