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6h of tutorial time (group or individual tutorials, as appropriate) with the module tutor concerned with organising work experience, agreeing the report subject and title, reviewing progress with assessments.

112.5h of work experience (15 days at 7.5h/day), 31.5h additional reading/assessment preparation

- 20% A 1,000 word critical reflection on the work experience highlighting subject-specific, personal, problem-solving, and transferable skills employed during the employment and including an appraisal of the role undertaken within the organisation's mission. A workplace logbook, signed-off by the supervisor, of work undertaken should be included as an appendix to the report (does not count towards the 1,000 words). Learning Outcome 1
- 80% A 3000 word report (excluding references) on technical aspects of ecology as related to the business of the work experience provider - title to be agreed with the module tutor. Learning Outcome 2

Additional Assessment Details (including formative feedback / assessment):
Students may submit a draft copy of assessments for formative feedback

This module is designed to give students work experience within their chosen speciality with an ecological service provider of their choice. The scope of the module in terms of the nature of the work and organisation is intentionally wide, but must fit within the general ethos of the student's course and be of a level suitable for a masters-level student. Examples of suitable employers could be Wildlife Trusts, NGOs such as Buglife, Butterfly Conservation, Peoples Trust for Endangered Species, Chester Zoo; QUANGOs such as Natural England, Scottish Natural Heritage, the Countryside Council for Wales, Centre for Ecology & Hydrology; Local Government Countryside Services/Planning Departments and Central Government Ministries such as Defra. Employment need not be within the UK provided the employment is appropriate and Health & Safety issues have been addressed. Different patterns of work experience will be acceptable e.g. a 3-week block or 1-day/week for 15 weeks. Students will, with support from the module tutor, select and organise their own work experience including ensuring that all appropriate documentation (e.g. Health & Safety) is completed. Assessment for the module will be directly related to the business of the work experience provider, but will consist principally of an academic report together with a reflection on the work experience itself. For example, `an appraisal of the effectiveness of species translocations' would be an appropriate subject for the academic report if working for an environmental consultancy or Natural England. The exact subject and title of the assessment will be agreed between the student and module tutor with input from the work experience provider. Part-time students in-post may be able to use their current employment as work experience provided approval is granted by the module tutor.

Core texts will be determined by the nature of the host organisation and the specific area of work and will be discussed during the tutorial.