Principles and Practice: Conservation Projects gives students the opportunity to consolidate conservation in practice through complex object treatment alongside fostering more independent decision-making skills complemented by wider collections and project management knowledge and understanding supporting the development of skills book, archival materials or paper conservators need in the workplace.

4 x 1 hr lecture = 4 contact hours

4 x 1 hr seminar = 4 contact hours

2 x 3hr Workshop = 6 contact hours

1 x 4 hr field trip = 4 contact hours

55 x 3hr Practical conservation sessions

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The standard assessments for this course are:

■ Practical book, archival material or paper conservation (continual assessment over course) - 35%

■ Substantiated Conservation report linked to practical with reflective commentary (3500 words) - 35%

■ Consultant's Report (3000 words) - 30%

If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available:

■ There is no alternative to the practical book, archival material or paper conservation, but a flexible deadline can be offered as reasonable adjustments (students should follow the usual process for extensions)

■ There is no alternative to the substantiated conservation report, but a flexible deadline can be offered as reasonable adjustments (students should follow the usual process for extensions)

■ There is no alternative to the consultant's report, but a flexible deadline can be offered as reasonable adjustments (students should follow the usual process for extensions)

Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor.

This course aims to:

■ Promote a greater understanding of the contexts within which book, archival materials and paper conservation operates.

■ Provide the student with the opportunity to implement varied and complex interventive treatments to further develop and refine practical skills.

■ Enable the student to synthesise observation, research, and analysis along with an understanding of cultural and ethical contexts to formulate appropriate treatment and collection care strategies.

■ Introduce the skills necessary to manage collections of books, archival and paper and small projects with an enhanced awareness of the balance between access and preservation.

■ Embed professional skills appropriate for an emerging conservation practitioner.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Employ high quality practical skills to carry out complex object treatments with appropriate levels of independence.

■ Formulate well-argued reports that meet client and 'object' needs using an advanced evidence-based foundation to support observation, interpretation, and reasoning.

■ Effectively apply critical reflection and problem-solving to practice and as part of continuing professional development.

■ Select and design appropriate measures and creative solutions to enhance the preservation and widen access of a book and paper collection.

■ Organise and manage practical projects effectively within agreed timeframes to strengthen project management skills.