Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

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

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:

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

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

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 in an ethical manner

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

4. Programme structure

4.1 Structure of MSc programme

Semester 1

Compulsory modules (60 credits)

Semester 2

Compulsory modules (45 credits)

Optional modules (Students should select modules totalling 15 credits)

Semester 1, 2 and 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.

4.3 Structure of Postgraduate Certificate programme 

Semester 1

Compulsory modules (60 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.