MSc Sustainable Cities

Year 1

(Award available for year: Master of Science)

Learning outcomes

The programme provides a two module first semester (60 credits) where theory, concepts, and frameworks are applied to real world cities, and research method experience is developed. The two modules provide core transferable skills for the City System modules (4 x 15 credits) and the research project (60 credits) (semester 2/3).

The following SSLO’s have been synthesised across all the programme modules.

1. Understand the current urban system and the interoperable challenges, features, institutions, and impacts from policy, politics, behaviour, infrastructure & technology.

2. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of concepts, information and techniques used by urban system planners and stakeholders at the forefront of the discipline.

3. Identify, review, & critically evaluate international sustainability impacts/activities within urban systems and apply those findings in new domains and research using analytical frameworks and system thinking.

4. Demonstrate a practical understanding of forecasting, visioning and objective led planning in urban systems 

Skills Learning Outcomes
In completion of the programme the students will:

1. Acquire new qualitative, quantitative and digital skills in research and analysis from an action research perspective. 

2. Diagnose and solve real world problems using new data analysis and action research techniques; take a proactive and self-reflective role in working and to develop professional relationships with others

3. Critically analyse the social, environmental and economic impacts of key topics; Ability to form logical, reasonable conclusions and make sound recommendations based on available data and/or observations.

4. Understand multilevel decision-making across critical systems and how suitability metrics are mobilised to affect decision-making. 

5. Evaluate opportunities to embed innovations in system design, governance and re-production; demonstrating adaptability and resilience.

Assessment

The programme uses a range of assessment techniques including essays and presentations, with further assessment of problem-based learning sets. The problems set are drawn directly from real-world challenges facing cities and are excellent preparation for professional practice. They require the understanding of relevant concepts and theories, systems-approaches, and international sustainability practices. Students must demonstrate their understanding and justify their ideas and conclusions in assessments. The programme provides the opportunity to choose assessment types; whether that be through the creation of a website, a presentation or more traditional methods (reports and essays). A mix of group and individual work is also included to simulate the real-world situation. Each submission type requires all the SSLOs to be addressed.