Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

This programme is likely to be of particular interest to applicants who wish to develop careers in planning and managing work in the water and sanitation sector in low- and middle-income countries.  It aims to:

• Provide graduates with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively plan, manage and coordinate water, sanitation and environmental services in low- and middle-income countries;
• Develop participants’ understanding of the principles and practice of sustainable water and environmental management for the public good;
• Equip students with appropriate expertise and skills for work in low- and middle-income countries; and
• Provide an opportunity for specialisation in one topic through in depth study during the Research Dissertation module.

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

This programme is taught by the Water, Engineering and Development Centre (WEDC) in the School of Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering at 含羞草视频. The WEDC Mission Statement is:

Education, training, research and consultancy for improved planning, provision and management of physical infrastructure and services for development in low- and middle-income countries, focusing on the needs and demands of the poor.

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. 

WEDC’s postgraduate programmes are multidisciplinary in content so no single-subject benchmarks are wholly applicable to them. There are currently no benchmark statements for Engineering MSc programmes. Although the Subject Benchmark Statement for Engineering applies to first degrees in engineering, and not to postgraduate degrees, it has been used to inform the drafting of intended learning outcomes for this programme, with the expectation that postgraduate students attain a higher level than undergraduate students in relevant outcomes. The Subject Benchmark Statement for Master’s Awards in Business and Management has also been consulted because of the management content of the WEDC programmes; the list of skills for all Master’s programmes listed in Appendix 2 is of particular relevance.  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).

Following an accreditation visit by the Charted Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) in June 2016, the panel recommended that this programme at MSc, PG Diploma and PG Certificate levels be accredited for student intakes up to and including academic year 2020 – 2021.  Accreditation recognises that this programme contributes to the academic requirements for CIWEM membership.

Following an accreditation visit in October 2015, the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM) accredited the MSc level of this programme as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for a Chartered Engineer (CEng) for candidates who have already acquired an Accredited CEng (Partial) BEng (Hons) undergraduate first degree.  This applies for intakes up to and including academic year 2020 – 2021.  See www.jbm.org.uk for further information.

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

Sections 3.1 and 3.2 relate to the outcomes from study for the Master of Science (MSc) award. Section 3.3 gives details about outcomes from study to achieve the Postgraduate Certificate (PCert) and Postgraduate Diploma (PDip) awards.

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

• the importance of a multi-disciplinary approach to public health engineering and environmental management and ways to integrate various perspectives in project planning
• the links between water, sanitation and health
• key issues relating to pollution control, particularly relating to aquatic environments
• ways of integrating technical and non-technical considerations into project planning, design, execution and evaluation
• key issues in relation to effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability and replicability in planning public health infrastructure and services with a view to reducing their impact on the environment
• key issues in relation to social and institutional aspects, particularly for sustainability of water supply and environmental sanitation services that have minimum impact on the environment
• major international developments and initiatives, relating to some of the above-mentioned aspects
• current international perspectives on water resources, the principles of integrated water resources management and its advantages and disadvantages in specific situations.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme, participants should be able to:

• integrate and evaluate multi-disciplinary information, particularly that which relates to pollution control for the aquatic environment
• critically evaluate basic water supply and environmental sanitation options suitable for low- and middle-income countries, and be able to select appropriate options subject to specific constraints
• critically evaluate key water and sanitation sector reform issues such as new public management, decentralization and public-private partnerships
• plan appropriate solutions to meet users’ needs and demands for water supply and environmental sanitation. This will include an interdisciplinary approach and application of appropriate techniques for technical, financial and institutional analysis
• conduct a programme of original research, demonstrating originality in the interpretation and application of knowledge
• analyse water resources problems at regional or catchment level, identify causal processes for water resources problems and suggest possible solutions.  This skill will include an ability to:

-  assess water availability using rainfall, river flow and groundwater data

-  develop an integrated programme for improving water resource management.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

• apply knowledge gained about water, hygiene and sanitation to real-life situations and realistic scenarios.

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, participants should be able to:

• conduct a literature review, demonstrating critical analysis and using conventions and approaches relevant to the water, hygiene and sanitation sector
• apply knowledge and research findings to tackle and to propose possible options for solving problems
• analyse data, check the validity of data, and make appropriate use of data when writing reports
• communicate effectively in writing essays and reports. This will include presentation and justification of conclusions from quantitative and qualitative analyses
• manage time and work to deadlines.

3.3       Intended Learning Outcomes for Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) and Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) Awards

Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert)

The intended learning outcomes for studies that contribute to the Postgraduate Certificate are best defined by combining the intended learning outcomes of each of the four modules chosen to contribute to the programme (see Section 4.2).  An index list of all module specifications can be found at https://lucas.lboro.ac.uk/epublic/wp5016.main?dept=CV&dept2=CV

Postgraduate Certificate students should obtain the learning outcomes listed above (Sections 3.1 and 3.2) for the MSc programme but not to the extent that will be expected of MSc students. However, the learning outcomes arising specifically from the Case Study, Data Collection, Analysis and Research and Research Dissertation are not relevant because these modules are not options for the Certificate programme.

Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip)
The intended learning outcomes for studies that contribute to the Postgraduate Diploma will be the same as those specified above (Sections 3.1 and 3.2) for the MSc programme other than those that relate to the Research Dissertation module which is not an option for the Diploma programme.

4. Programme structure

 ¹ CVP229 is only available as an option in special circumstances.  Please enquire for details.

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.