Environmental Science and Management

Course Specification
Environmental Science and Management.
Diploma, Higher Diploma and Graduate Diploma
Business Management Education Centre (BMEC) ,U.K.
info@bmec.uk.com
1 Introduction
This course specification provides information about your programme of study as well as additional
general information on the UK awarding body – Business Management Education Centre (BMEC).
The BMEC website provides more information on the wide range of programmes available. BMEC
has been established to provide up-to-date, relevant programmes that enable students to enhance
their career prospects as well as providing a foundation for further study when required.
2 Business Management Education Centre (BMEC)
BMEC offers awards at Diploma, Higher Diploma, Graduate Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma
levels. Subjects cover a wide area including general Business and Management as well as others
including Marketing, Finance, Travel & Tourism and Hospitality.
BMEC offers programmes in many countries around the world and our strong links with UK and
international educational institutions provide a robust foundation for our well-respected portfolio of
courses. We pride ourselves on providing high quality programmes supported by senior
academics with extensive experience in higher education.
3 Learning and Teaching
Our programmes provide the necessary knowledge and skills in an ever changing marketplace.
These courses can be delivered using a range of methods including face-to-face teaching via
lectures, workshops and seminars. Alternative approaches can be used by delivery centres as
appropriate for the target student population for example, blended learning, distance learning, online learning can all be utilised where required.

5. Unit Descriptors
The following sections contain the unit descriptors providing details of the aims, content,
assessment and related information for each subject in the relevant programmes.
5.1. Introduction to Environmental Science
Introduction to Environmental ScienceLevel 4
This unit explores the physical world with an
empirical approach.Learning outcomes:
1. Describe and analyse major areas in
Environmental Science.
2. Analyse the nature of management of the
environment.Indicative content:
The Physical World :Introduction to Science and Basic Chemistry, Earth Science: Geology and
Geological History ,Atmospheric & Oceanic Science Global Weather, Environmental Science,
Ecology and Principles of Population Study, Human Impact: Pollution , Energy Use, &
Environmental ManagementReading list and reference material:
Modern Earth Science, Sager R., Holte, Rhinehart and Winston, NY, NY (2002)
Environmental Science, Person J, J.M. LeBel Enterprises, Dallas, TX (2001)Learning hours:
40-50 hours class contact involving a mixture of lectures and seminars.
Furthermore, students should be encouraged to undertake independent learning where they will
refer to additional learning material and practice the required skills. Academic staff at delivery
Centres will advise students on additional work that is required.
5.2. Project Management
Project ManagementLevel 4 20 creditsAssessment: ExaminationAims:
This unit examines project management issues
from a public health perspective.Learning outcomes:
1. Familiarize ourselves with the various issues
surrounding project management
2. Understand the Project Life cycle.
3. Explain the various processes and stages of
Projects.Indicative content:
Why project management, The Project Life Cycle (PLC), Project management maturity, Project
selection and criteria of choice, Types of project selection models, Net present value, Job
description, Job specification, Person specification, Cultural differences, Functional organisation,
Pure project organisation, Matrix organisation, Mixed organisational systems, Project teams, The
human factor, Initial project coordination, Systems integration, Work breakdown structure, Linear
responsibility chart, The nature of negotiation, Partnering, chartering, and change, Conflict and the
PLC, Linear responsibility chart, Principles of negotiation, Estimating project budgets, Improving
the process of cost estimation, Background Network techniques: PERT and CPM,Critical Path
Method (CPM),The resource allocation problem, Resource loading, Resource
levelling,Crashing,The planning-monitoring-controlling cycle, Information needs and the reporting
process, Earned value analysis, Computerised Project Management Information Systems
(PMIS),The fundamental purpose of control, Three types of control process, Design of control
system, Control as a function of management, Balance in a control system, Control of creative
activities, Control of change and scope creep, Purpose of evaluation – goals of the system, The
project audit, The project audit life-cycle, Construction and use of the audit report, The varieties of
project termination, When to terminate a project, The termination process.Reading list and reference material:
Project Management – A Managerial Approach – Jack R. Meredith & Samuel J. Mantel
(Wiley)Business Studies – D. Hall et al., (Pearson Education), 2012Learning hours:
40-50 hours class contact involving a mixture of lectures and seminars.
Furthermore, students should be encouraged to undertake independent learning where they will
refer to additional learning material and practice the required skills. Academic staff at delivery
Centres will advise students on additional work that is required.
5.3. Fundamentals of Soil Science
Fundamentals of Soil ScienceLevel 4 20 creditsAssessment: ExaminationAims:
This unit is designed for the practitioner hoping
to build their knowledge and skills in the topics
most needed for a fundamental understanding
of Soil Science. It is designed to provide an
overview of the fundamental concepts in soil
science: Genesis, Classification and
Morphology, Physics, Chemistry, Fertility,
Biology, and Land Use.Learning outcomes:
1. Build fundamental knowledge and skills
within the different areas of soil science.
2. Complement the students existing knowledge
of soil science and help them understand the
principles behind it.
3. Enhance professional skills in soil
managementIndicative content:
Definition of soil, soil components, Physical properties, chemical properties, Biological properties,
conservation and management of soil.Reading list and reference material
Fundamentals of Soil Science, 8 Edition, Henry D. Foth,1990Learning hours:
40-50 hours class contact involving a mixture of lectures and seminars.
Furthermore, students should be encouraged to undertake independent learning where they will
refer to additional learning material and practice the required skills. Academic staff at delivery
Centres will advise students on additional work that is required.5.4. International Business Communications
International Business CommunicationsLevel 4 20 creditsAssessment: Business Report/AssignmentAims:
This unit introduces a range of business
communication methods including written and
oral techniques. Other business contexts will
also be considered such as: interpersonal
skills, interviewing, meetings, working in groups,
and presentations.1. Use business communication strategies and
principles to prepare effective communication
2. Understand the processes involved in oral
and written communication including various
methods such as reports, letters, emails and
presentations
3. Compare and contrast organisational formats
and channels used in the development and
presentation of business communicationsIndicative content:
The communication process. Objectives and barriers; speaking and listening skills, telephone
communication; voicemail; interview preparation and techniques
Human interaction and non verbal communication , Metacommunication, body language, non
verbal communication in situations such as interviews and meetings
Groups and meetings. Group communication; effectiveness of meetings and committees, Chairing
meetings, roles of members. Agenda and minutes. Video and audio conferencing. Oral
presentation techniques: Preparation, developing materials, visual aids
Written business communication including: business letters, reports, email, and memos
Visual communications: Graphs and charts including: organisation charts, flow charts, statistical
chartsReading list and reference material
Bob Dignen, Ian McMaster, (2013), Effective International Business Communication , Harper
Collins (Kindle e-book available)
C. Bovee& J. Thill, (2011) International Business Communications, Pearson Education
R Kumar, (2010) Basic Business Communication,: Concepts, Applications and Skills, Excel Books
B.Dignen& I. McMaster, (2013) Effective International Business Communications, CollinsLearning hours:
40-50 hours class contact involving a mixture of lectures and seminars.
Furthermore, students should be encouraged to undertake independent learning where they will
refer to additional learning material and practice the required skills. Academic staff at delivery
Centres will advise students on additional work that is required.5.5. Environmental Management and Sustainable Development
Introduction to Environmental Management and Sustainable
DevelopmentLevel 5 20 creditsAssessment: ExaminationAims:
This course is an introduction to ecological,
economic, political, and sociocultural
perspectives on relationships between humans
and the rest of the natural world. Environmental
Management is concerned not only with the
impact of humankind on the planet but also with
the patterns of human behavior necessary to
preserve and manage the environment in a self
sustaining way.Learning Outcomes
1. provides students an interdisciplinary survey
of the broad range of
contemporary environmental issues and
concepts.
2. Examine options for developing more
sustainable communities and lifestyles in the
face of local and global change.
3. Linked to the areas of new thinking in
environmental management, environmental
economics and the quest for alternative
technologies.Indicative content
Course Introduction, General Thoughts on Sustainability and the Environment ,The Global
Environment Issues. Environmental Issues Relevant to Africa, on, and Technology ,Atmosphere
and Air Pollution, Water Resources and pollution, Forests, Agriculture and Emission, Land Based
Resources: Earth Crust, Waste Management, Economics and Environment: Ecosystem Services,
Future Scenarios, Research Presentations.Reading list and reference material
Chris Barrow. Environmental Management and Development, 2d edition (2006),
Introduction to Sustainable Development,3rd Edition,Routeledge,Perspectives on DevelopmentLearning hours:
40-50 hours class contact involving a mixture of lectures and seminars.
Furthermore, students should be encouraged to undertake independent learning where they will
refer to additional learning material and practice the required skills. Academic staff at delivery
Centres will advise students on additional work that is required.5.6. Environmental Ethics
Environmental EthicsLevel 4 20 creditsAssessment: ExaminationAims:
In this course we will examine a wide range of
intellectual efforts to address the ethical
dimensions of our relationship with the Earth
and the natural world, other species, and future
generations. Students will be introduced to the
major perspectives in traditional Western ethical
theory, as well as perspectives and debates
over land and wilderness ethics, animal rights,
biocentrism and deep ecology, social ecology
and environmental justice, ecofeminism, and
postmodernism. While the course will focus
primarily on contemporary philosophical
environmental ethics, we will also introduce
topics in religious environmental ethics, non
Western and indigenous traditions, globalization
and new technologies, environmental
aesthetics, and the connection between
environmental philosophies and environmental
activist movements.Learning outcomes:
1. To develop and promote the intellectual
skills necessary for understanding and
reflectively acting on ethical issues and
controversies, including: the ability to
recognize values and ethical perspectives in
environmental rhetoric and debate, to
critically analyze and adjudicate between
competing moral arguments and
philosophical perspectives, and general skills
in critical thinking, reading, writing and
communication, argumentation and analysis.
2. To provide students with an appreciation for
the range of ethical and value perspectives
on environmental issues; an introductory
understanding of the most influential and
significant theories in environmental ethics;
and acquaintance with the social movements
which correlate with and carry various
perspectives on human-environment
relations.
3. To provide students with the opportunity to
analyze real-world environmental issues and
controversies and to contribute to their
resolution through the application of ethical
theory.Indicative content:
The Nature of Ethics includes the relation between ethics and morality, and morality and law. The
Value of the Environment, as it pertains to existing people, future generations, and non-human
animals.
Value in Natural Objects in the Broader Environment, generally land, trees, species, wilderness,
ecosystems, and the biosphere.
Foundations for an Environmental Ethics, a consideration of the ethical traditions
Ethical Concerns Pertaining to Economics and Ecology,
Ends and Means, a consideration of the notion of ecological citizenship, such as which ends are
most important to focus individual and societal resources, and the appropriate means for achieving
these ends responsibly.
A Consideration of the Ethical Dimensions of one or two specific environmental problems in the
Lower Mainland, the Province, or the world, e.g., pesticides and chemical pollution, protection of
fish resources, nuclear energy and radioactive pollution, fracking, population and economic growth,
climate change, etc. (Rather than focusing on one or two problems directly, some course sections
may discuss a variety of problems through the other content areas.)
A Consideration of Urban Philosophy and Ecology of the CityReading list and reference material:
Environmental Ethics: An Introduction to Environmental Philosophy, 4th Edition, Joseph R.
DesJardinsLearning hours:
40-50 hours class contact involving a mixture of lectures and seminars.
Furthermore, students should be encouraged to undertake independent learning where they will
refer to additional learning material and practice the required skills. Academic staff at delivery
Centres will advise students on additional work that is required.5.7. Environmental Pollution and Health
Environmental Pollution and HealthLevel 5 20 creditsAssessment: ExaminationAims:
This unit explains how important environmental
health science issues (e.g., environmental
disease, toxic chemicals, air and water quality,
ecosystem degradation, and food quality)
impact the health of the public in the developed
and developing world.Learning Outcomes:
 Understand and use the basic
principles, concepts, and terms of
environmental health.
 apply the scientific method for
observation, inquiry, formulation of
hypotheses and
experimentation to explain natural
phenomena.
 evaluate the relationships between
science, technology, and society as
these affect critical historical or
contemporary issues.Indicative Content:
what pollution is and how/why it is harmful at multiple levels of
biological organization, What the root sources and causes of pollution are, What happens to
pollutants (chemical, biological and physical) when they enter the environment, How each pollutant
class affects individual and community health over acute to chronic exposure periods.