Explore UCD

UCD Home >

SUST40050

Academic Year 2024/2025

Interdisciplinary Project (SUST40050)

Subject:
Sustainability
College:
Science
School:
Science Admin Office
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Dr Sam Kelley
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

Building from your first three years in the sustainability program, this module allows groups of students to focus on a single sustainability challenge and explore it from an interdisciplinary perspective in more detail. The challenges that you will pick from have been submitted by partner organisations from their own activities. Thus, these are real-world challenges that are currently being addressed. Partner organizations will be available for meetings with research groups, simulating consultant-client meetings. Students are asked to use their varied backgrounds in sustainability to explore and address their challenges. They will draw on skills and information to develop strategies and solutions as interdisciplinary teams, drawing on input and guidance from a range of relevant experts.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module you should be able to;
o Undertake an in-depth assessment of a real-world challenge in sustainability.
o Work in an interdisciplinary manner, evaluating different perspectives and knowledge bases in pursuit of a solution to sustainability challenges.
o Integrate information and ideas from varied sources to form a coherent message.
o Learn to clearly and concisely disseminate ideas and messaging to a variety of audiences.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

6

Small Group

24

Specified Learning Activities

6

Autonomous Student Learning

164

Total

200


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The module will be largely student-led. Learning will be primarily based on interdisciplinary teamwork to explore and address sustainability challenges. Most contact hours will be in an open classroom enabling group-based engagement guided by input from academic staff. These sessions will be supplemented by lectures and workshops, concluding with an end-of-term symposium.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Report(s): Final report on group project Week 12 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
35
No
Group Work Assignment: Multimedia output from the group project Week 11 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
20
No
Group Work Assignment: Poster presentation Week 12 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
25
No
Participation in Learning Activities: Preparation of materials and ideas for in-class workshops, and participation in the workshops in weeks 7 and 8. Week 7, Week 8 Pass/Fail Grade Scale No
10
No
Participation in Learning Activities: Participation in group work, assessed via peer review and module coordinators Week 12 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
10
No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback will be performed via in class activities and as an end of term assessment.

Name Role
Dr Mark Coughlan Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Adam Kane Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Seminar Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Fri 12:00 - 13:50