This 30-credit core module takes place in two parts. The first starts in September and the second in November and both must be taken at the beginning of your course, no matter which route you take through your studies.

In part one, we will contextualise sustainability and transformational adaptation in view of current environmental changes, exploring the interconnectedness of the factors involved.

There will be an in-depth look at the wider implications of transformational adaptation on social structures, land use, trade, resource management, energy provision, governance, health and economic systems through a critical exploration of the primary considerations related to sustainability and environmental change.

In part two, you will experience transformational adaptation planning through a facilitated, self-reflective practical team exercise, and form a deep appreciation and holistic understanding of adaptation transformation planning.

You will develop the skills and knowledge needed to assess risks and make informed decisions, despite the uncertainties that come with a changing climate.

Read more about this module for courses awarded by Liverpool John Moores University: 7501CATSCI -Sustainability and Adaptation Concepts and Planning LJMU

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In this module, we will draw on a broad range of theoretical and applied topics, relating to behavioural and societal change relevant to transformational adaptations and environmental challenges. The module is taught through a series of lectures, supported by interactive seminars with workshops used to develop group work and analytical skills.

Students will develop their ability to critically examine behaviour change theories, drawing upon behavioural science, social and systems models. You will also evaluate the different roles and motivations of individuals, organisations, communities, governments and society in driving social change for sustainability.

We will study a wide variety of interdisciplinary case studies throughout the module to analyse the practical application of different theoretical approaches to promote sustainable behaviour and transformational adaptation.

This is a 15 credit module.

Read more about this module for courses awarded by Liverpool John Moores University  7512CATSCI Theoretical approaches to transformational social change

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This module will examine the role of communication and engagement strategies in relation to public perceptions of risk and supporting behaviour change towards a more sustainable society. 

You will also look at the many modern communication strategies available for addressing current environmental challenges while increasing your ability to foster behavioural change towards sustainability and transformational adaptation.

This module will comprise a series of lectures, supported by interactive seminars and workshops. Lectures will draw on a broad variety of theoretical and applied topics, with frequent use of interdisciplinary case studies throughout. Workshop sessions will be used to develop group work and analytical skills.

This module is assessed via a communication of social change intervention (3,000 words equivalence) in which students can adopt any appropriate written or visual communication strategy, such as a video, blog, audio recording or report as part of their submission.

This is a 15 credit module.

Read more about this module for courses awarded by the University of East London: EV7126 – Communicating Transformational Social Change (After September 2022)

Read more about this module for courses awarded by Liverpool John Moores University  7515CATSCI Communicating Transformational Social Change

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This module introduces students to roles of power, policy, agency and economic structures that produce crises in the context of the environment, and our responses to these crises. 

Through a range of topics including political and economic tools for change, environmental justice and inequalities and environment and systems change across global, national, and local scale, you will study the theoretical underpinnings to understanding the importance of political and economic systems to transformational change. 

The module takes an interdisciplinary, critical approach to examine how unequal power relations have been constructed, and their environmental and societal consequences. It will consider the societal consequences of unsustainable governance of nature and the built environment. 

We will also draw on current and historic social and environmental debates and events to illustrate the application of a range of critical analytical approaches, such as political ecology, discourse, global political economics, and policy studies. 

This is a 15 credit module.

Read more about this module for courses awarded by the University of East London: EV7131 – Introduction to Politics and Economics of Environment (After September 2022)

Read more about this module for courses awarded by Liverpool John Moores University: 7502CATSCI - Introduction to Politics and Economics of the Environment LJMU

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This module, ‘Applied Research Design’, will support students in building knowledge, skills and literacy in research design and methodologies in relation to interventions, projects and applied research. It will also support students in developing a proposal for following either a conventional dissertation route or incorporating a design element within the dissertation. 

The module will typically include a study visit on-site at CAT, or equivalent by distance, as scheduled in the academic calendar. It will also deliver relevant research skills for students during their final year of taught modules through attending and watching research seminars.

The Applied Research Design module will include several opportunities for enquiry and problem-based group projects in the lead up to the dissertation module. 

All students will be required to carry out a teamwork-based project where they will gain experience in the research methods applied to their discipline and their use in real-world settings, through current live and applied projects. 

This is a 15 credit module.

Read more about this module for courses awarded by the University of East London: EV7125 – Applied Research Design (After September 2022)

Read more about the dissertation module for courses awarded by Liverpool John Moores University 7521CATSCI - Applied Research Design - LJMU

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The dissertation involves designing, investigating, and presenting an extended and independently conceived piece of research on a topic of your choosing within a field of study relevant to your course. 

During the module you will demonstrate the ability to explore a relevant research topic in-depth, with appropriate research methodology, displaying creativity and skills in critical analysis. Students will submit a dissertation (18,000 words maximum) at the end of the module. For students interested in focusing on sustainable building or design, part of the dissertation could also involve a design element.

Before beginning the module, students will be required to have gained approval for a Research Proposal (RP) on a subject from within the study area of their Programme, in consultation with one or more members of the teaching team and as a result of group discussions around initial ideas. The RP will be developed during the core ‘Applied Research Design’ module, which will cover research philosophy, approaches, strategy, design methods and analysis techniques.

Teaching and learning take place through tutorial-supported work on the preparation of this major piece of academic discourse. After an initial seminar group meeting involving other students, tuition is mainly on an individual basis.

This is a 60 credit module.

Read more about this module for courses awarded by the University of East London: EV7101 – Dissertation Module UEL (After September 2022)

Read more about the dissertation module for courses awarded by Liverpool John Moores University 7520CATSCI - Dissertation LJMU

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In this module, you will learn about the complex nature of the interrelationships that exist between occupant comfort, energy flows in buildings and energy efficient building design. By exploring this through theory and applying this in practice through expert-led practical workshops, you will be able to define how energy flows and energy efficient building design relates to adaptation and sustainability in the built environment.

You will develop a systematic, holistic, multidisciplinary and analytical approach to the critical appraisal of energy-efficient design, heat flows and provision of thermal comfort with respect to the demands of climate change adaptation and the principles of sustainability.

You will cover a range of topics, including thermal comfort; thermal mass; heat transfers through building fabric and determination of U values; ventilation; sunlight and solar gain; passive cooling; climate influences on design and future climate change considerations; the impact of moisture on building fabric; quantification of building performance; embodied energy and carbon of building materials; and the societal benefits of energy efficient buildings. 

This is a 15 credit module.

Read more about this module for courses awarded by Liverpool John Moores University 7511CATSCI _Buildings and People

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This module will introduce students to the complexities of cities and communities and their local and global interconnections. You will examine how these conditions interact with the task to transform, reclaim, and reproduce the city and built environment amid global environmental change

The module will develop your knowledge of current research and discourse concerning adaptation planning and sustainability of cities and communities, and their place in current and future environmental contexts.

You will gain a thorough understanding of key elements, including infrastructures, maintenance issues, energy budgets, material flows, waste disposal, transportation and the social dynamics that underlie the development and management of communities and cities.

Following a critical assessment of the complex factors that influence the provision of sustainability and adaptation planning within urban and community focused environments, you will be able to recognise and rationalise the prospects for innovative research and practice for regeneration in the built environment.

This is a 15 credit module.

Read more about this module for courses awarded by the University of East London: EV7105 – Cities and Communities UEL (After September 2022)

Read more about this module for courses awarded by Liverpool John Moores University: 7504CATSCI - Cities and Communities LJMU

What’s it like to study at CAT? Read more about the teaching and learning experience.

This module takes an in-depth look at energy provision from the perspective of transformational sustainable adaptation and takes a holistic approach to assessing energy technologies and systems situated within larger social and economic perspectives. 

Students will explore the technological aspects, functioning and practical considerations of different technologies for reducing energy demand and providing more energy via sustainable sources. You will also investigate resource potential (and limitation), maintenance needs, associated carbon emissions and the environmental impacts of the available renewable energy technologies.

You will also develop a critical appreciation of the balance of energy generation and energy use reduction requirements and how energy distribution constraints, storage, supply and demand management, efficiency improvements, market drivers, planning processes, governmental policy and financial support mechanisms can affect the uptake of sustainable energy technologies. 

This is a 15 credit module.

Read more about this module for courses awarded by the University of East London: EV7108 – Energy Provision UEL (After September 2022)

Read more about this module for courses awarded by Liverpool John Moores University 7505CATSCI - Energy Provision LJMU

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This module involves a systematic evaluation of the environmental impacts and the wider social and health implications of building materials, looking at the use, performance and usability of different materials.

You will gain a thorough appreciation of how environmentally sustainable materials offer creative opportunities for the use and development of high quality, healthy, effective, and long-lasting products that can enhance rather than damage ecosystems. You will learn about the advantages and disadvantages of different materials, and look at how to use sustainable options in the most effective ways.

We explore issues around the availability, cost, physical properties, construction methods and general perceptions of environmentally responsive materials, looking at ease of use, mainstream acceptance, design limitations, logistical considerations and economic viability.

Students joining us on-site for the study visit will get hands-on experience with sustainable building materials in this highly practical module, working with rammed earth, cob, hemp and lime, timber and straw bales.

This is a 15 credit module.

Read more about this module for courses awarded by the University of East London: EV7110 – Sustainable Materials in the Built Environment UEL (After September 2022)

Read more about this module for courses awarded by Liverpool John Moores University 7507CATSCI - Sustainable Materials in the Built Environment LJMU (7877 downloads)

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This module takes an in-depth look at global and local trends in food production, diet and health, and the impact of food production on the environment, including climate change.

We explore how food can be produced sustainably, looking at the role of consumer behaviour, economics, technology and legislation.
You will study the complex interplay between global and local food markets, vertical integration of agriculture, consumer diets and health, ‘food sovereignty’, the impact of machinery and transportation, economics, labour and environmental externalities on the sustainable production of food.

You will critically evaluate how current markets, policies and consumer behaviour could be transformed to ensure greater sustainability in food production and resource use.

This is a 15 credit module.

Read more about this module for courses awarded by the University of East London: EV7129 – Food Production and Consumption (After September 2022)

Read more about the dissertation module for courses awarded by Liverpool John Moores University 7503CATSCI - Food Production and Consumption LJMU

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Based on a project that you are undertaking in practice, for example in your workplace or community, this module allows you to deepen your knowledge and understanding of a specialist subject within your chosen field of study.

You will undertake analysis of complex evidence and develop critical responses to existing theoretical discourses, methodologies or practices within your chosen specialist area.

This is a 15 credit module. 

Read more about this module for courses awarded by Liverpool John Moores University 7509CATSCI - Work-based Project LJMU

What’s it like to study at CAT? Read more about the teaching and learning experience.