6F7V0020 Summative In-Course Assessment Briefing
| Unit code | 6F7V0020 | ||
| Unit title | Biodiversity, Natural Capital and Ecosystem Services | ||
| Title of assignment (and weighting %) | 1CWK100 – 1 Report 100% | ||
| Name of staff setting assignment | Alexander Lees
Alexander.lees@mmu.ac.uk |
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| Date assignment set | 29 September 2025 during introductory lecture | ||
| Submission deadline | Friday, 9 January 2026, 21:00 | ||
| Useful External Links | not applicable | ||
| Assessment Schedule Guidance | See Moodle. | ||
| Employability Skills | Critical thinking about trade-offs and information quality, debating skills, obtaining data from complex sources. | ||
| This assignment was verified on (date): 09/09/25 | |||
| Name of Unit Coordinator: | Alexander Lees | Signature | |
| Name of Verifier: | Hannah Mossman | Signature | Hannah Mossman |
Submission Instructions
Location or method of submission: Online via Moodle.
Assessment Support Resources: There will be a timetabled assessment support session.
Online submission of assignment: via Moodle online submission tool on Friday, 9 January 2026, 21:00. Files must be either Word or PDF.
Learning Outcomes tested in this Assignment
- Critically evaluate assessment and monitoring methods for biodiversity conservation.
- Appraise synergies and trade-offs between economic development, ecosystem service provision and biodiversity retention.
- Propose appropriate management strategies and make recommendations for best practice in biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of biological resources.
Assignment Task Instructions
Brief Description
Assessment will be via a 3000-word report based around one of the case studies discussed in the unit, or another suitable case study of your own choice (and discussed with course leaders). You should describe the biological theory underpinning key issues in sustainability, critically evaluate different management approaches with respect to the case study, provide a balanced argument of the facts and a recommendation of best practice given the circumstances available.
Details of marks Breakdown
Title and abstract – 10%
Introduction – 20%
Summary of case study – 20%
Review of management approaches – 30%
Recommendation of best practice – 10%
Referencing and formatting – 10%
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Assessment Criteria
These are the criteria upon which your assignment will be assessed:
- Fulfilment of the requirements of the assignment task (including adherence to word length specified).
- Evidence of reading around the subject areas with correct and complete citation and referencing of sources (MMU Harvard referencing system)
- Appropriate scope and evidence of understanding of theoretical concepts as well as factual information
- Evidence of critical thinking and appraisal
- Delivery of a clear, well-structured report
- Standard and style of written English, grammar, spelling, and evidence of innovative and creative thinking
- Engagement and participation in the seminars
Consult the marking scheme below for section-specific weightings for the report.
For additional information on the university standards descriptors frame work (USDF), which sets out what is required to achieve each grade against the Graduate Outcomes follow the link here.
Guidance for use of AI
Your work should always authentically represent your capabilities.
You should never trust the outputs of Generative AI uncritically.
Specifically, when it comes to this assessment you:
Can use generative AI to help you understand the assessment and the associated content, but you must check this against other sources.
Can use generative AI as part of the planning process (e.g., to get ideas, to break down tasks, to explore different structures)
Cannot use it to create the assessment itself. AI tools should not be used to write the report which needs to be based on specific case studies – use of AI tools will produce a generic report which is unlikely to accrue many marks. Do not assume that Generative AI will produce valid reference material or link it accurately to statements.
Format and Structure of the Submission
Details of any word, page, size, or time limit(s)
The report will consist of 3000 (3300 upper limit) words with an additional abstract of 150 words and with appropriate references (also not included in word count). It should include background information, a summary of the case study, a review of different management approaches and a recommendation of best practice given the circumstances available.
Penalties for over long submissions
Coursework that exceeds the stated word limit will be penalised according to the following scheme:
- If your work exceeds the stated limit by more than 10% your mark will be reduced by 10% (i.e. one degree class).
If your work exceeds the stated limit by more than 30% your mark will be capped at 50%.
Marking Process
The marking scheme, with weightings for each section, is outlined below:
|
|
Distinction
(>70%) |
Merit
(>60%<70%) |
Pass
(>50%<60%) |
Fail
(<50%) |
| Title and abstract
10%
|
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| Introduction (Background information)
30%
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| Summary of case study
10%
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| Review of Management approaches
30%
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| Recommendation of best practice
10%
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| References and formatting
10% |
Assessment Descriptors
86% to 100% – An innovative report, designed and planned meticulously to gather relevant information from an appropriate range of primary and secondary sources with extensive evidence of synthesis. The limits of established knowledge are challenged in considering the outcomes.
70-85% – An innovative report, designed, planned meticulously to gather relevant information from an appropriate range of primary and secondary sources with strong evidence of evidence synthesis. Critical insight is brought to the analysis.
60-69% – The report is designed and planned thoroughly to gather relevant information synthesised from an appropriate range of primary and secondary sources. Outcomes are evaluated thoroughly and critically.
50-59% – The report is designed and planned and carried out accurately using an appropriate range of sources. Some attempt to evaluate the different sources.
40-49% – The report is designed, using a more limited range of sources with little synthesis of literature and ideas. The outcomes are poorly evaluated.
35-39% – The report is inadequately designed, and structured using a limited range of sources and no synthesis of literature and ideas. The outcomes are poorly evaluated.
20-34% – The report is badly designed and structured with very limited sources and limited evaluation.
0-19% – The report is very badly designed, planned and carried out using inappropriate sources. Evaluation is wrong or unacceptable.
Feedback Plan
This section should explain:
- What type of feedback you can expect: written feedback report on Moodle
- Date when feedback will be available: within 4 weeks of submission via Moodle.
- How and where to obtain your feedback and marks: these will be posted to the Moodle submission areas.
- How to use your feedback: read carefully for comments on where marks lost/gained.
Assignment Support and Resources
Sources of General Support
The assessment will be identified in the unit introductory lecture. All supporting material, including slides and the unit handbook will be and remain available on Moodle until the assessment deadline.
Students with a PLP can find sources of further support in the year handbook and may be entitled to extra time to complete their report.
Assignment-Specific Learning Resources
Transforming Conservation: A Practical Guide to Evidence and Decision Making available free https://www.conservation.cam.ac.uk/news/new-book-transforming-conservation-practical-guide-evidence-and-decision-making
Scientific journal articles, depending on current topics that will be discussed, including journals such as: Nature Ecology and Evolution, Science of the Total Environment, Ambio, Conservation Science and Practice.
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