Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

This programme is for graduate engineers and scientists who wish to develop careers in delivering water and environmental sanitation infrastructure for low and middle-income countries. It aims to: 

•    provide the multidisciplinary knowledge and skills to assess, design, implement and operate water and environmental sanitation infrastructure, with a focus on low- and middle-income countries;

•    develop a critical approach to the global principles and local practice of sustainable public health infrastructure for all levels of consumers;

•    equip students with appropriate expertise and skills for relevant work in water and sanitation engineering for low- and middle-income countries; and

•    encourage critical analysis through in-depth study of one specialist topic.

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

This specification has taken into account the descriptors for a qualification at Masters (MSc), Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) and Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) levels that are set out in the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. 

In the absence of benchmark statements for Engineering MSc programmes. the Subject Benchmark Statement for Engineering that applies to first degrees in engineering has been used to inform the drafting of intended learning outcomes but with the expectation that postgraduate students attain a higher level than undergraduate students in relevant outcomes. Note has also been taken of the Engineering Council document ‘The Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes (published May 2014) for Master Degrees other than the Integrated Masters (MEng) (Accredited as further learning to masters level, partially meeting the educational requirements for CEng)’. 

In view of the management content of this programme the Subject Benchmark Statement for Master’s Awards in Business and Management has also been consulted.  The programme draws on the core competencies required for membership of the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM), and the competencies for a water, sanitation and hygiene project manager published by a consortium of twelve international agencies (2017).

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of: 

PGCert:

K1  International and local initiatives and institutions that promote water and sanitation for all.

K2 the links between water and environmental sanitation infrastructure (including water resource management, water treatment and supply, excreta, wastewater, stormwater and solid waste treatment and disposal), hygiene behaviour, health and socio-economic development

K3  the key issues in relation to environmental and social impact, equity, effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability and replicability in planning and managing sustainable water and environmental sanitation infrastructure

K4  the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to the delivery of public health engineering and ways to integrate technical, social, economic and environmental  considerations in project planning, design, implementation, operation, maintenance and evaluation.

K5  the planning, selection, design, construction and sustainable operation and maintenance of appropriate water and environmental sanitation technologies.

K6 the range of management, social, institutional, economic and environmental issues that ensure the sustainability of water and environmental sanitation infrastructure

PGDip and MSc: As above for PGCert and in addition: 

K7  effective qualitative and quantitative data collection, analysis and dissemination.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to... 

PGCert:

C1  critically anlyse past and current programmes to deliver water and environmental sanitation infrastructure to unserved populations globally

C2 evaluate the needs of socially excluded groups and individuals within target populations

C3  critically appraise users’ water and environmental sanitation needs and demands based on conflicting and limited information

C4  critically appraise institutional, social, economic, environmental and technical constraints and compare possible solutions.

PGDip and MSc: As above for PGCert and in addition: 

C5  develop appropriate sustainable technical options to meet users’ needs and demands for different service levels of water and environmental sanitation infrastructure

C6  investigate relevant emerging challenges facing the sector.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to… 

PGCert:

P1  synthesize different socio-economic contexts and physical/ natural contexts

P2 select suitable laboratory tests and field surveys relating to the natural environment, social conditions, economic performance and physical condition of infrastructure

P3  choose appropriate methods to review, validate, analyse, interpret and communicate dissimilar data sets using appropriate methods.

PGDip and MSc: As above for PGCert and in addition: 

P4  calculate key design parameters for various elements of appropriate water and environmental sanitation infrastructure.

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to… 

PGCert:

T4   communicate effectively in writing, verbally and visually to disseminate quantitative and qualitative information and propose solutions

T6   demonstrate appropriate selection and use of IT.

PGDip: As above for PGCert and in addition: 

T2   listen to and record a range of views, especially from socially excluded or vulnerable groups

T3   evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of working both as a member or leader of a team and as an individual

T5   demonstrate flexible working with the constraints of limited time, resources and information by initiating, planning, organising and prioritising activities in an ethical manner

MSc: As above for PGCert and PGDip and in addition: 

T1   find and critically evaluate a variety of existing sources of data, information and knowledge where the quality and quantity of publications is limited.

4. Programme structure

4.1       Structure of MSc programme 

Semester 1 

Compulsory Modules 

Semester 2 

Compulsory Modules 

Optional Modules 

One module from

Semesters 1 and 2 

Compulsory Module 

4.2       Structure of Postgraduate Diploma programme 

The structure for the Postgraduate Diploma is as shown above for the MSc, but omitting study of the Research Dissertation module. 

4.3       Structure of Postgraduate Certificate programme 

Semester 1 

Compulsory Modules 

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to be eligible for the award, candidates must satisfy the requirements of Regulation XXI.

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the Purposes of Final Degree Classification

Not applicable.