The learning outcomes of the EDUCATE programme include knowledge and understanding of a range of water resources and environmental management topics as well as development of intellectual, practical and transferable skills and competencies, as detailed below. We aim to deliver globally relevant learning outcomes which will equip the graduates to provide efficient and sustainable solutions in various national and international contexts. We also aim to develop appreciation of the need for professionally ethical conduct and integrity.
This Section describes the learning outcomes in terms of competencies that are achieved from the study programme as a whole. The specific learning outcomes of each module are described in module descriptions included in the programme structure. The postgraduate course is divided into 5 main clusters of units, the four Thematic Areas and the postgraduate Thesis. Each of these clusters corresponds to specified learning outcomes.
Thematic Area 1: Scientific Background. It provides the basic scientific background in order to bring all students at a common level since they will most probably have different educational backgrounds. The students after developing specific competencies for understanding the basic processes related to the fields of hydrology, hydraulics, ecology, chemistry and microbiology, will be able to follow the rest of the postgraduate course with the more specialised topics. The students start to acquire an ability to function in multi-national teams and the community of the postgraduate course is strengthened.
Thematic Area 2: Urban Water Management. This thematic area develops specific competencies for understanding urban water systems and of their associated processes, as well as for the analysis, design, modelling and management of all their aspects. Students learn how to critically assess research results and acquire an understanding of the impact of engineering solutions within a physical and societal context. IT literacy, reporting and presentation skills are further improved and an ability to function in multi-national teams is acquired.
Thematic Area 3: Catchment Management. This area develops specific competencies for understanding catchment management issues related to both surface water and groundwater systems and their associated processes. Specific capacities are developed for analysis, modelling through a variety of hydroinformatics tools and management of all of key aspects of catchment and integrated water management systems. IT, data analysis, reporting and presentation skills are further improved, as well as the necessary skills for independent learning.
Thematic Area 4: Environmental Management. This area provides specific competencies for understanding water and environmental policy and legislation, with an emphasis on EU legislation and the Water Framework Directive (WFD), policy making and social processes and the role of public participation in the decision making process. Furthermore it develops an understanding of environmental assessment, its components, the different techniques widely used and how they can contribute to sustainable development. Specific capacities are developed for identifying, formulating and analysing an environmental management problem, such as coastal zone management, as well as for critically assessing research method, data quality, analytical processes and results. Further to reporting and presentation, IT and independent learning skills being improved, project management and consultation skills are also developed.
Thesis: The development of a thesis gives the students the opportunity to focus in a specific field of their interest, in consultation with the lecturing staff, related to water resources and environmental management. The process enables students to become independent self-critical learners, critically assessing as well as interpreting and synthesizing research results and thus developing a problem solving ability. Their English language is further improved reaching an academic and professional level, as are their oral presentation skills through the oral examination of the thesis. Additionally the students' IT literacy and time management skills are further improved. Due to the international character of the Educate programme the theses will be focusing, to the extent possible, on transnational integrated water resources management issues. Hence an understanding of cross-boundary water resource problems will be developed, as well as the ability to develop cross boundary solutions to such problems.
© EDUCATE! - A Postgraduate Course in Water Resources and Environmental Management