MST8029 : Marine Consultancy Review
- Offered for Year: 2022/23
- Module Leader(s): Dr Clare Fitzsimmons
- Owning School: Natural and Environmental Sciences
- Teaching Location: Mixed Location
Semesters
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
Aims
To give students from a range of academic backgrounds a common level of knowledge and understanding of the variety of marine consultancy businesses currently operating; by providing experience of the marine consultancy environment, and its business principles and practices.
To prepare students for more effective competition within professional consultancy environments involving project design, real-life case studies from business and the delivery of an assessed consultancy review paper.
A unique intensive consultancy module offering students the opportunity to learn from in-depth case studies of real consultancy projects in the marine environment.
Students will produce a consultancy based review, in response to a clear industrial need, articulated by partner organisations.
Outline Of Syllabus
Overview of the marine consultancy market; marine consultancy niches, competitiveness and market shares and size. Political and social influences on the industry.
1.Large scale consultancies, with marine capability. Invitations to tender and large scale bid preparation.
2.Small and niche consultancy areas. e.g. environmental economics, social impact assessment.
3.Contracting consultancies, a user's perspective Government consultancy contracts; how to bid for government work.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 60:00 | 60:00 | Completion of Assessed Proposal |
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 2 | 1:00 | 2:00 | Online non-synchronous Introduction lectures and discussions via Canvas |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 5 | 4:00 | 20:00 | Synchronous online - Working on project literature review - group and ML support |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 5 | 2:00 | 10:00 | Synchronous online - Clients present project ideas to students - Enrichment weeks |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Fieldwork | 2 | 8:00 | 16:00 | PiP at outstation - Coastal Futures Conference |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 5 | 2:00 | 10:00 | Synchronous online - Student organised with module leader to support development of review topics |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 70:00 | 70:00 | Developing awareness of consultancy landscape and client identification |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Dissertation/project related supervision | 5 | 2:00 | 10:00 | Student organised with module leader to support development of review topics - online synchronous |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Module talk | 2 | 1:00 | 2:00 | Synchronous online Introductory lectures and discussions |
| Total | 200:00 |
Jointly Taught With
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| MST8028 | Marine Consultancy Project Planning |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Taught sessions offer an extended introduction to the discourses, methodologies and approaches involved in marine consultancy work (IKO1-4). A series of seminars is used to acquaint students with the module, introduce them to detailed consultancy project case studies, and introduce them to project partners.
Lectures and seminars deliver generic skills in project planning and review writing, and initiate project planning. Further tutorials are used to help develop project plans and planning (ISO1-5).
Each student is allocated appropriate supervisor(s) early in the second semester and a number of tutorials are needed to oversee and guide the review.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Report | 2 | M | 100 | Literature Review - max. 3500 words |
Formative Assessments
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written exercise | 2 | M | Formative assessment of write up |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The consultancy project review tests your ability to prepare a persuasive and technically accomplished review of the literature to meet the needs of a client. The review tests your ability to critically appraise the literature, checking the quality of the information and drawing relevant conclusions. Summative and formative feedback are provided.
Selection of an appropriate topic will demonstrate both understanding of the environmental consultancy business (Key Skill 3) and the ability to apply general principles to a chosen specific consultancy situation (ISO 4).
In order to complete the review paper, students must demonstrate key skills in the synthesis and presentation of information (ISO 1). It will also enhance their ability to produce professional quality reports suitable for consultancies (ISO 2), while ensuring that the ability to disseminate key information of relevance to consultancy is developed (ISO 2).
The assessment requires in depth understanding of the environmental consultancy business (Key Skill 3).
The assessment will demonstrate increased professional capacity to conduct a relevant original subject review, to meet the needs of the consultancy sector (ISO 5).
*Review limit: 3500 words, not including Figs, Tables and References. Minimum 11 pt text, 1.5 cm margins all round and 1.5 line space.
Formative assessment will be available at two stages during write-up.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- MST8029's Timetable