Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

1. This programme is aimed at graduate engineers and scientists who wish to develop careers in delivering water and environmental sanitation infrastructure for low and middle-income countries but there is a focus on low-and middle-income countries. The programme will be of value to those working anywhere in the world.
   It aims to: 

   • provide knowledge of key concepts and principles to assess and design water and environmental sanitation;
   • 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 appropriate analytical skills for water in the natural environment and piped systems using computer models and other approaches;
   • develop a critical approach to the global principles and local practice of sustainable public health infrastructure for all levels of consumers; 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:

• Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) (2014) Part A: Setting and Maintaining Academic Standards: The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies, QAA, Gloucester.
• Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) (2015) Subject Benchmark Statement: Engineering, QAA, Gloucester
• Engineering Council (2014) The Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes: UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competencies, The Engineering Council,
• Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) (2015) Characteristics Statement: Master's Degree.
• JBM Technical/Non-Technical Guidelines for MSc - Progression from IEng to CEng July 2018

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

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

PG Cert:

K1      the application of different concepts relevant to the discipline and the ability to evaluate them critically and to apply them effectively.

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 use of different tools/models in the assessment of flood risks, as well as groundwater and contaminant flow.  

K4      the key issues for using a multidisciplinary approach to the delivery of public health engineering, to integrate technical, commercial, 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 promotion of sustainable and resilient development and develop projects to enable sustainable outcomes.

PGDip: As above for PGCert and in addition:

K7      the collection of qualitative and quantitative data, analysis and dissemination, including tackling unfamiliar problems, such as those with uncertain or incomplete data by the appropriate innovation, use or adaptation of analytical methods

MSc: As above for PG Cert and PGDip and in addition:

K8      the fundamentals of research, research methods and the process of research.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

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

PG Cert:

C1      critique past and current programmes to deliver water and environmental sanitation infrastructure to inadequately served populations globally

C2      apply appropriate engineering analysis methods and computer modelling for solving complex problems and consider their limitations

C3      integrate and evaluate users’ water and environmental sanitation needs and demands based on conflicting and limited information

C4      analyse institutional, social, economic, environmental and technical constraints and compare possible solutions

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

C5      develop or adapt appropriate sustainable technical options and designs 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:

P1      use software to model groundwater, flooding and piped system problems, in order to develop risk reduction and improvement strategies

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, model, validate, analyse, interpret and communicate dissimilar data sets using appropriate methods

P4      calculate key design parameters for various elements of appropriate water and environmental sanitation infrastructure, incorporating multi-disciplinary aspects

c. Key transferable skills:

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

PG Cert and PGDip:

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

T2      seek, listen to, record and consider a range of views, from local stakeholders and vulnerable groups

T4      apply skills in problem solving, computer modelling, communication, information retrieval, and the effective use of general IT facilities

T5      demonstrate flexible working within the constraints of limited time, resources and information by initiating, planning, monitoring, organising and prioritising activities

T6      plan self-learning and improve performance, as the foundation for lifelong learning.

T7      communicate using various forms such as reports, essays, presentations and critiques

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

T8    Design and conduct an independent study

4. Programme structure

4.1 Structure of the MSc programme

The programme will be phased in over 3 years, with modules running in the semesters identified below.  However, students have the option of specifying the number of modules taken in any given semester, although a maximum of two is advisory. It is possible to complete the eight modules for an MSc over five years by completing one module per semester (the most usual choice) plus the dissertation module in the final year. 

Semester 1

Compulsory modules (maximum 30 credits in Year 1)

*Note: In Year 1 (2020/21), only two modules (CVP431 and CVP441) will be offered in Semester 1.  In Year 2 (2021/22) all four modules will be offered. 

Semester 2

Compulsory modules (maximum 30 credits in Year 1)

*Note: In Year 1 (2020/21), only two modules (CVP430 and CVP443) will be offered in Semester 2.  In Year 2 (2021/22) all modules will be offered. 

Optional modules* (students should select one 15 credit module)

*Note: In Year 1 (2020/21), no modules will be offered.  In Year 2 (2021/22) all optional modules will be offered.

Semester 1, 2 and Summer Period Year 3

4.2 Structure of the Postgraduate Diploma programme

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

Semester 1

Compulsory modules (maximum 30 credits in Year 1)

*Note: In Year 1 (2020/21), only two modules (CVP431 and CVP441) will be offered in Semester 1.  In Year 2 (2021/22) all four modules will be offered. 

Semester 2

Compulsory modules (maximum 30 credits in Year 1)

*Note: In Year 1 (2020/21), only two modules (CVP430 and CVP443) will be offered in Semester 2.  In Year 2 (2021/22) all modules will be offered. 

Optional modules* (students should select one 15 credit module)

*Note: In Year 1 (2020/21), no modules will be offered.  In Year 2 (2021/22) all optional modules will be offered.

4.3 Structure of Postgraduate Certificate programme

The structure of the PG Certificate programme is shown above, comprising the Semester 1 modules in years 1 and 2.

Year 1: Semester 1

Compulsory modules (maximum 30 credits)

Year 2: Semester 1

Compulsory modules (maximum 30 credits)

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.