Planetary  environmental systems, energy, food and material resources  are coming under increasing strain as a result of a rapidly increasing population with consumerist ambitions.

The most serious manifestation of this strain is climate change resulting primarily from the production of carbon dioxide by burning of fossil fuels  which is an essential element of how modern society works. Other aspects of the pressure on resources such as deforestation and intensive land use compound this problem.

Climate change is produced as a result of global warming caused by increases in levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, (mainly carbon dioxide, methane etc.). Abundant and well respected science makes predictions (with a 90% certainty) of the future of the planet and our society if the current situation is allowed to continue. Some of these predictions are dire and threaten the continued existence of human society on this planet.

• It is essential that a  response to this scenario is made.
• It is generally agreed that ‘a do nothing, business as usual’ approach is not acceptable as it makes the situation worse.
• Draconian measures such as not burning anymore fossil fuel might work but would result in seismic and unacceptable changes to society that are impossible to predict
• Governments worldwide have some awareness of the seriousness of the problem and make some attempts to mitigate the effects. Usually these are weak and ineffective. A more urgent and effective approach is required and this starts with education.
• The new programme proposes a dual approach to the problem aimed at making a response that will allow human society to continue to inhabit this planet with as many of the values, benefits and opportunities remaining as possible.
• The approach has two distinct elements which in many respects are interconnected:-
  1. Adaptation, mitigation and resilience. Basically society needs to adapt its needs and behaviour to the limited resources and need to reduce waste and pollution.
  2. Sustainable engineering. The technology required to provide appropriate responses

This programme covers a wide range of current environmental issues with an emphasis of adaptation. It is jointly run by the School of Computing, Information Technology, and Engineering (CITE) with the Eden Project (EP). The objective of this programme is to investigate and teach an understanding of the urgency and implications of the need for a fundamental paradigm shift in our  approach to all current human practices from carbon emitting and biodiversity depleting to being biologically carbon sequestering and biodiversity enhancing. The programme offers  the student the opportunity to discover and decipher the extent of adaptations required to the basic framework of human society and interaction with the wider environment in order to deliver a sustainable secure future across all considerations of well being.

The programme offers a combination of theoretical study with  a  practical element and industrial involvement that will equip students with skills that are becoming increasingly sought after in any areas of professional practice, The following modules are available:-

Modules CEM 101, 102,104,106, and 108 run at EP; all others  at UEL
For the MSc, a total of four teaching Modules and the Dissertation must be successfully completed.

The programme is intended to cater for a broad range of interests. For acceptance onto the programme the following requirements apply:-

• First degree with Honours, 2.2 or above in subjects such as engineering, science, environmental studies, architecture and related areas.
• Students who do not possess formal qualifications but who can demonstrate that they have gained appropriate knowledge and skills equivalent to degree standard and that they will benefit from and contribute to the programme may be accepted.
• Students are required to demonstrate in writing that they have an interest in and commitment to the programme subject area           
• A student may gain admission to a programme with up to  half of the credits associated with the award being achieved through accredited experiential learning, or up two thirds through accredited certificated learning.  (Where a combination of experiential and certificated learning is involved up to  one half of the credits for the award may be achieved through accredited experiential learning with further credits being achieved through accredited certificated learning up to a maximum of two thirds of the credits for the award).
• The University and EP are strongly committed to widening participation and equal opportunity for all. 
• In the case of applicants whose first language is not English, then IELTS Academic is required with 6.0 overall and no less than 5.5 in components (or equivalent).

International qualifications will be checked for appropriate matriculation to UK Higher Education postgraduate programmes.

Students that apply to enter stages of the programme may be admitted through normal Accreditation of Experiential Learning (AEL) or Accreditation of Certificated Learning (ACL) processes, or through an approved articulation agreement. Therefore such applicants must be able to demonstrate and evidence that they have the required learning outcomes as listed in the modules for which they are seeking exemption.

The programme can be taken either in a part-time mode, by those employed in the UK, or in a full-time mode by either UK or overseas students. The teaching element of the MSc and the dissertation is offered for full-time students with the possibility of being completed in one calendar year’s duration. The MSc for part-time students has half load during the semesters and, consequently, the length of these studies is doubled. Part-time students require two years to complete the MSc programme.

Due to the nature of the programme (ie the five day teaching sessions associated with each module) it is possible for students to continue in employment even if they are taking the ‘full time’ option.

The programme is delivered by the programme team and guest lecturers. The programme team  are staff  which have a continuing relationship with the programme and are usually available at each module. Guest lecturers are from the profession and able to deliver the latest information in their particular area of expertise  Guest lecturers are an essential element of the programme as the subject area is changing very rapidly at the present time.

Teaching at post graduate level requires a significant amount of small group activity in addition to more formal Lecture sessions. Small group activity, called Support Studies guarantee that opinions, ideas and information derived from the lectures can be readily developed and exchanged. This process is a vital and necessary part of the dissemination of the subject material and the building of skill and self confidence in the student.

The Support Studies  take place in Study Groups. During Module CEM 101 students are assigned to Study Groups of no more than 15 students.  Each group is the responsibility of one Study Group Tutor who gives academic and pastoral guidance to students throughout their time on the programme. These tutors conduct seminars, practicals and tutorials and also mark all coursework for their group

Lectures There are approximately ten one and a half hour lecture slots for each part of the module. These are configured to allow appropriate questions and discussions. Where appropriate to the subject, these sessions may take the form of workshops  for all or some of the time available. Lectures take up 30 hours of most modules

Support Studies consist of studies in the subject area of the module and take up 30 hours of most modules. They consist of:-

• Seminars. These are run in Study Groups of up to fifteen students by the Study Group tutor with appropriate specialist staff. These are structured around specific activity related to the lecture programme consisting of a set questions to be discussed and may include workshops. Seminar sessions in Part 1 would be concerned with topics related to the module content during which a topic is chosen for further work and a Presentation given on this during Part 2.
  Seminar sessions in Part 2 of the module will concentrate on specific topics after which students are required to decide on an essay topic.
• Presentations These are required to be given by all students in Part 2  of the module following discussions and research which take place in Part 1 and the time between the two module parts. All students are required to attend presentations and time will be allocated for questions and discussion
• Practical Activity. This may take different forms depending on the nature and content of the module. It may involve setting up experimental equipment, constructing objects and elements for testing, paper based analysis of particular problems or computer based analysis   Practical Activity takes place during Part 1 the module and are related to the relevant specialist area. Normallya whole day is spent on this activity under the guidance of a tutor culminating with a group feedback and discussions. Results are written up and handed in at the beginning of Part 2 . Some modules (in particular Modules CEM 103 and CEM 109) have a different practical content and full details of this are given in the module descriptions.
• Tutorials on an individual basis are available by appointment at specific times  during both parts of each module.
• Residential Accommodation
  The five day teaching sessions require residential accommodation. The cost of this will be included in the tuition fee

Every module has coursework requirements. These are devised to test that the aims and learning outcomes of the programme have been attained.  Coursework usually consists of three components, a 3000 word essay, a practical report and a presentation to the peer group The aggregate pass mark for a module is 50% with minimum module component mark of 40%.

The programme is suitable for those students with an interest in developing expertise in an area of rapidly increasing importance such as environmental strategies, energy monitoring and performance, social interactions, resource management all in relation to the important process of adaptation, where skill shortages are being reported and increasing specialist knowledge is required.  The programme is continually being developed to meet the specific demands that industry require and strives to use the latest information including IT packages at all times. With the increasing worldwide concern over Environment and Sustainability issues significant legislative interventions being introduced. As a result there is a demand for specialist expertise and skill shortages are reported. Excellent  employment opportunities  are available to students completing this programme

The Dissertation (Module CEM 110) gives the student an opportunity to apply the discipline and skills of the programme to an individually selected research topic, requiring a measure of original development, providing a vehicle for conducting an in-depth investigation, analysis and critical review of relevant material. The Dissertation is the culmination of work done on the programme and is considered to be of prime importance. The process of producing the Dissertation starts with a series of lectures and workshops, group discussions and one to one tutorials. Each student is then allocated a supervisor who is responsible for academic guidance through the production of the Dissertation. All students are required to produce a publishable paper based on the Dissertation material.

There are several programmes in this subject area running at UK Universities and elsewhere.This proposal takes the subject further than many other post graduate programmes in that it has the core theme of Adaptation which is the direction of current thinking and research. In addition to this the teaching modules are configured to allow specialist study routes which offers students the option of  following their particular interest and develop these skills in depth. 

The Adaptation theme and specialist routes render  this proposal significantly different to other programmes available in the UK and elsewhere.

Each module  consist of two parts each of which run as an intense five day residential event. The residential nature of the programme operation has proved very successful in the past and this format is considered highly desirable. Bringing students together for intense study in this way fosters considerable interactions which are highly conductive to a good learning process. Another aspect of this is the Social event that occurs at the end of each part of the modules. This allows students to ‘unwind’ after a period of intense activity and further contributes to developing interactions, boost confidence, and generate a feeling of well being within the group. 

There is a significant skill shortage in the area of environmental adaptation  and sustainability, particularly where it relates to the built environment.  There are significant employment opportunities in Local Government, Private Industry, Architectural Practices, NGO's associated with the Environment, and in Private Practice.  The many skills acquired and areas considered during this programme are excellent preparation for work in any of the above areas.

All students studying this programme are allocated to a Seminar Group of about 10 – 15 students and are supported by a personal tutor who is responsible for providing advice and guidance throughout their term of study.  All seminars and tutorials take place within seminar groups.  Support is also given during specific stages of progression, such as research methods for the Dissertation, as well as extra support for those that require it such as English / study skills and IT training. Small group teaching is acknowledged as being beneficial to students as it allows for individual attention and enables peer review and group discussion.

Part of the Programme runs at the Eden Project which is located close to St Austell in Cornwall has world class innovative facilities in the area of sustainability. The surrounding countryside is rural and very attractive.

This programme is taught as a series of five day residential events which allows students to concentrate on their studies and benefit from many opportunities of discussion and interactions