MLA602 Assessment Brief
The MLA602 assessment comprises a coursework component and a practical component. This assessment is designed to evaluate your understanding of meteorological and oceanographic processes and their influence on maritime activities, environmental sensitivity, and offshore development within a defined regional context.
You are expected to demonstrate critical understanding, applied reasoning, and the ability to communicate Metocean knowledge in a professional maritime context.
| Title | Task | Assessment | Word count | Marks
(%) |
| Coursework Component |
70 |
|||
| Regional Coastal Environmental Report | 1 | Academic Report | 3,000
(+/– 10%) |
|
|
Practical Component |
30 |
|||
| Presentation of Key Findings
|
2 |
Recorded Video
Presentation |
10 minutes | |
|
Total |
 |
100 |
||
Include visual aids (figures, tables) in your answers where relevant.
Support statements and opinions with references that are legitimate, valid, and relevant, preferable from primary literature such as peer reviewed articles.
References must follow the University of Plymouth Harvard style of referencing. Guidance on referencing, critical thinking, and essay and report writing, are available in the ‘Study Help’ section of the TLP.
Coursework Component (70%)
Task 1: Regional Coastal Environmental Report
Purpose of the report
This report assesses your ability to critically analyse meteorological and oceanographic processes and evaluate their influence on maritime operations, environmental sensitivity, and offshore development within a defined regional context. The emphasis is on process understanding, critical evaluation, and applied reasoning, rather than descriptive narration.
Report scope and selection You must select:
- One coastal or offshore region, and
- One maritime operational or development scenario within that region.
Acceptable scenarios include, but are not limited to:
- Port development or dredging activities
- Offshore renewable energy systems (wind, wave, or tidal)
- Offshore installation, inspection, or maintenance operations
- Coastal flood defence or climate adaptation projects
- Shipping route, traffic separation, or anchorage planning
Your selected scenario must be clearly justified and relevant to the regional metocean context.
Required report structure
Your report must be structured using clear academic headings and should address all of the following sections.
1. Regional and operational context
Describe the geographic and maritime context of the selected region. Clearly define the chosen maritime activity or development. Explain the significance of meteorological and oceanographic conditions to this activity, highlighting why an understanding of these conditions is operationally critical.
2. Meteorological and oceanographic processes
Analyse and critically evaluate the dominant atmospheric and oceanographic processes affecting the region. Your discussion should address spatial and temporal variability, including seasonal patterns and extreme events, and evaluate how these processes interact and influence operational conditions. You should demonstrate clear understanding supported by relevant evidence. Data may be referenced from published sources where appropriate; however, original statistical analysis is not required.
3. Marine and coastal environmental sensitivity
Describe the key marine and coastal environmental characteristics of the region. Assess their sensitivity to meteorological and oceanographic variability, human activities, and climate-related change. Support your discussion with appropriate scientific and regulatory literature.
4. Impacts on maritime operations and the environment
Analyse how metocean conditions influence operational risk, safety, planning, and environmental disturbance. Assess the implications of these influences for commercial development and environmental management. Where relevant, discuss uncertainty and limitations associated with forecasting and prediction.
5. Mitigation, adaptation, and offshore renewable energy
Evaluate mitigation and adaptation measures that are used, or proposed, to manage meteorological and oceanographic risks. Where applicable, analyse offshore renewable energy systems in relation to regional conditions and sustainability objectives. Discuss the trade-offs between operational efficiency, environmental protection, and long-term resilience.
6. Conclusion
Synthesize the key findings and justify practical recommendations for sustainable maritime operations and future decision making, acknowledging key uncertainties and constraints.
Academic expectations
The report must demonstrate critical thinking and coherent argumentation.
Assertions must be supported by legitimate, valid, and relevant sources, preferably peer-reviewed literature and authoritative industry or regulatory publications.
Harvard referencing (University of Plymouth) must be used consistently throughout.
Practical Component (30%)
Task 2: Presentation of Key Findings
The purpose of this practical task is to communicate your findings in a professional riskbased briefing suitable for a maritime decision-making audience.
Your presentation should:
- Briefly introduce the selected region and maritime activity
- Identify and explain the three most significant metocean related risks or constraints
- Explain why these risks matter for operational planning and environmental management
- Propose realistic mitigation or adaptation strategies
- Demonstrate clear linkage between metocean processes and practical maritime decision making
You may use visual aids such as slides, diagrams, maps, or figures to support your presentation.
The video should be no longer than 10 minutes and can be recorded using any reliable tool, such as PowerPoint, Zoom, or similar software.
Upload your presentation via WeTransfer (www.wetransfer.com) to student.admin@mla.ac.uk and confirm by email to both your tutor and Student Administration once the upload has been completed.
Marking Criteria
| A | B | C | D | E | F | |
|
Content |
Fully addresses the assessment brief using all relevant information with few errors |
Addresses the assessment brief with most facts relevant and no significant errors |
Addresses the assessment brief using core information but some gaps in subject knowledge | Addresses the assessment brief but containing a minimal amount of the required material | A marginal fail, does not contain enough relevant information to address brief and/or contains multiple errors | Clear fail that does not address assessment brief, with inadequate or irrelevant information |
|
Understanding and Evaluation |
Full understanding of topic within wider context. Full critical evaluation with arguments supported by evidence and examples. | Substantial understanding demonstrated. Critical evaluation present with arguments supported by evidence. | Adequate understanding demonstrated although evaluation may be limited with restricted use of evidence | Enough understanding demonstrated but with minimal evaluation and/or evidence offered |
Marginal understanding demonstrated that lacks evaluation and evidence |
A concerning lack of understanding and evaluation present. |
|
Originality/ Independent Thinking |
Evidence of considerable insight and independent thinking e.g. by including own views; making connections with other subject areas etc. |
Substantially correct independent thinking with links to other areas/studies. |
Some individuality within the assessment but not always fully explored |
Own views minimally offered and/or displaying scientific naivety |
Marginal originality and/or independent thought |
No evidence of any valid independent thought |
|
Data Analysis and Interpretation |
An analytical/discriminating approach to the data, applying appropriate statistics. Comprehensive understanding of implications & limitations of the data | A sound approach to data analysis, applying valid statistical tests. Good understanding of data and associated limitations | Suitable approach to most aspects of data analysis. Valid interpretation but gaps evident |
Data analysis attempted but limited, including weak interpretation |
Marginal or insufficient data analysis and interpretation |
No, or wholly inappropriate, data analysis and interpretation |
|
Use of Literature |
Evidence of consulting wide range of valid sources of information, especially primary literature. Uses findings to support facts and arguments. Appropriately references sources within the text and in the reference list |
Evidence of consulting a range of literature to support facts and statements. Mostly cites references sources in correct format within the text and in the reference list |
Evidence of consulting a limited range of literature, often with a reliance on textbook sources. References in text or list may contain errors |
Some reference to literature evident but statements not well- supported. References often incorrectly cited and/or listed |
Marginal reference to literature with little attempt to incorporate references into work and/or incorrectly cited. |
No, or inappropriate reference to literature |
|
General Communication Skills |
Excellent overall standard of presentation, exhibiting a high standard of English and clarity of expression. Excellent layout and structure of material. Legible handwriting or appropriate use of fonts. Highly effective use of relevant visual material. |
High standard of presentation, exhibiting a good standard of English and clarity of expression. Good layout and structure of material. Legible handwriting and use of fonts. Effective use of relevant visual material. | Adequate standard of presentation, using acceptable standards of English. Some attention to layout, structure and formatting may be needed. Visual material may need some attention. |
Low standard of presentation with grammatical errors. Layout and structure may reduce impact and communication. Use of visual material not well-incorporated |
Marginal standard of presentation. Poor use of English with clumsy structure. Handwriting may not be legible and/or inappropriate use of fonts. Visual material typically not relevant. |
Unacceptable standard of presentation with concerning use of English. No, or inappropriate, use of visual material. |
|
Independence and Use of Support |
Completely self-motivated; works independently or in collaboration with others where relevant. Seeks appropriate support, as necessary. Formulates problem and relevant questions prior to seeking advice. Is meticulous in acknowledging support and contribution of others. | Mostly self-motivated and able to work well alone or in team. Seeks appropriate support, as necessary. Acknowledges support and contribution of others. |
Able to work independently or in a team but may not always access enough support where necessary |
Partly relies on others for motivation or to ensure progress and may be reluctant to seek necessary help. Weak team member. Does not always acknowledge sources of support. | Depends on others for motivation or fails to seek necessary advice. Fails to work as member of a team. Work may be highly derivative and/or support not acknowledged. | Fails to start or progress with tasks. Does not seek and/or use help.
Makes no contribution as member of a team. Does not acknowledge support and/or plagiarises. |
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